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Southern Explorations Affiliations

As members, we support several environmental and trade organizations that reflect our corporate values. These entities set high standards for our industry, aid our destinations and make us better at what we do.

International Ecotourism Affiliations

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): The International Ecotourism Society

TIES is the world's oldest and largest ecotourism organization with members in ninety countries. It provides technical assistance to communities in the development of eco-projects and practices for the benefit the populations and ecosystems of these destinations. It also promotes adherence to standards that mitigate tourism's impacts by educating visitors as well as those of us in the international travel industry. Southern Explorations is a supporting member and supports TIES projects around the world.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: Leave No Trace

This organization promotes a travel philosophy to leave destinations in the same state as travelers find them; providing education about the importance of minimizing tourism's impacts on the environment. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the organization's set of travel sustainability principles has been embraced worldwide. Southern Explorations supports and incorporates the Leave No Trace philosophy in all of the trips we operate.
Ecuadorian Rivers Institute (ERI): ERI is a fledging Colorado-based organization founded to help protect Ecuador's watersheds through education and water quality monitoring. It emphasizes the economic development potential of sustainability, promotes kayaking and whitewater rafting to Ecuador's citizens and visitors alike and sponsors an annual festival on the Napo River, an important Amazon tributary. Southern Explorations is the main contributor to ERI and supports the movement to keep the rivers of Ecuador clean and free flowing.
Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA): Adventure Travel Trade Association

ATTA is a broad-based business trade group that promotes adventure travel throughout the world, representing tour operators, destinations, tourist services and media. It sets standards and best practices for our industry, researches travel trends and provides a unified voice for the adventure travel sector. Southern Explorations is a member of the ATTA and attends the ATTA Adventure Travel Summits every year.
International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA): International Galapagos Tour Operators Association

IGTOA links eco-tour operators and other vacation providers in its conservation efforts to help protect the Galapagos Islands. It funds projects aimed at species and habitat preservation, provides education on a range of island issues such as boat safety and guide training, and serves as a collective eco-industry voice in support of responsible travel standards. Tourists who select an IGTOA member tour operator can be assured that they are doing business with a company that embraces a conservation-based philosophy and adheres to the strictest of sustainability practices. Through IGTOA, on behalf of each Southern Explorations customer booking a Galapagos trip, we suggest and forward a donation to the Galapagos Conservancy, an organization that supports the work of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the maintenance operations of the Galapagos National Park Service. Southern Explorations supports the IGTOA by donating $5 per Galapagos passenger.

Domestic Environmental Affiliations

American Whitewater Association (AWA): American Whitewater

Helps protect the water quality of U.S. waterways and restores shoreline and river habitat as well as promoting responsible recreational use of rivers. Southern Explorations is an Industry Partner of the AWA and supports their mission to keep the rivers of the United States protected, clean and free flowing.
The Washington Wilderness Coalition (WWC): Is a leading grassroots advocacy organization with some 10,000 members. Founded in 1979, it is a powerful force in decisions affecting Washington's wild areas, especially forests, continually at the forefront of the major environmental challenges facing our state. Southern Explorations contributes yearly to the WWC and supports their mission.
Headwaters Institute: Headwaters Institute

The Headwaters Institute and its associated network of educators strive to be the premier provider of natural history, conservation, and interpretative trainings for professional guides. These seminars encourage and promote a deeper public understanding of the importance of healthy rivers and their watershed ecosystems from ridgeline to coastline.