From the mountains to the ocean, everyone has a story….

Everyone has a story to tell! From the mountains to the ocean, stories bring communities together. Back in May, Kingdom Trails had the fortunate opportunity to welcome Timna Varela Sanchez from Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras to our community for four weeks! Timna was matched with KT by the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) Fellowship, a program funded through the US State Department whose works bring together professionals from around the world to share cultures, exchange ideas, deepen understanding, and spread knowledge. Timna is the Executive Director of Partners in Education Roatan (PIER), a nonprofit organization working diligently to educate local youth and adults in creating an economy based on sustainable tourism, investing in local cultural experiences, protecting the environment, and supporting local business. Roatan is a tourist destination renowned for diving at part of the Mesoamerican Reef - the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. Our match highlighted the parallels between KT and PIER, encompassing our efforts in community engagement, sustainability, and environmental awareness, as well as our efforts with destination management, education, and economic viability. 

Fueled by her experience with KT, Timna developed an Action Plan for PIER to develop a Collaborative Management Community Strategy for sustainable tourism in the West End Village of Roatan! PIER wanted to address the growing pressure on the natural environment and the area’s significant challenges to foster sustainable development from stable tourism growth throughout the last 20 years. One major point of focus would see PIER establish a Tourism Stewardship Committee to coordinate efforts with West End community key stakeholders. Another key point of focus would establish a West End Community Center that would serve as a cultural center, providing visitors with information on cultural heritage, tourist information, and monitoring tourist satisfaction. Timna's insight recognized the value in bringing together her community to spearhead these efforts through partnerships dedicated to prosperity on the island. We deeply valued our time with Timna at KT as it led to our own personal growth from this experience. Timna brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, and advice that strengthened our team and the work we do in our community. Timna returned to Roatan in June, and she kept in touch as her project developed with help from the PIER board, community stakeholders, and partner organizations in Roatan. 

In November, Lukas was invited by ITD to visit Timna and PIER for a week-long trip to the Caribbean! Lukas had the incredible opportunity to connect with many extraordinary individuals during his time in Roatan, spanning a diverse number of local businesses, tourism office, recreation-focused organizations, municipalities, mayors of two municipalities, the local university, and the dedicated members of PIER’s Board of Directors and volunteers. The experience was profound, and Lukas found himself immersed in vibrant perspectives and initiatives, including the many correlations that Timna had accurately noted during her May visit to KT. Throughout countless conversations, a resounding theme emerged – community. Roatan, a melting pot of diverse ethnic groups, including native islanders, Hondurans, Garifuna, expatriates, and tourists, fosters a tight community that passionately advocates for sustainable tourism and educational programs with universal benefits to all who live there and visit the island. Many groups actively engage in partnership with each other to protect the coral reef, develop sustainable housing, and educate visitors on the culture that surrounds the beauty of the island.

PIER is actively involved in educating local students and enabling adults through sustainable tourism initiatives. It is inspiring to witness PIER's direct impact as they navigate various educational avenues. The locals' recognition that the development of sustainable tourism is vital to the economic future speaks to the significance of PIER's multifaceted efforts. These efforts even motivated younger generations of students to explore career paths centered on sustainable tourism, and Lukas had the opportunity to speak to local university students about the history of Kingdom Trails, our own path to sustainability, and our capacity study that continues to guide KT to this very day! 

One story that inspired Lukas was that of Island Honey, a local honey producer that manufactures honey-based products only sold on the island. It was fascinating that the family that owns Island Honey felt empowered to find a new direction to support the tourism economy and themselves, but also establish a sustainable business that can thrive for years based on the economic shift in Roatan. When commercial fishing began to dry up, they brought honeybees to the island and opened production in 2013. They first started with 12 bee boxes and have since expanded to 125.  Island Honey can be found all over the island and is an organic product. They produce honey and an array of unique products such as lotion, soap, and a honey eucalyptus-infused drink. Island Honey has developed a new way to support the local economy, community, and themselves. At the same time, initiatives like Island Honey have become an example for many community members who rely on the tourism industries such as diving, restaurants, and cruise ports. Island Honey continues to grow, including seeking more property to purchase more bee boxes while they seek funds to develop an online presence to take their product global! Their inspiration and success story is why it’s vital to support community initiatives that help promote sustainable tourism. We see correlations here in the Northeast Kingdom, such as maple, coffee, and craft breweries, amongst many others! Our community works together to support each other, and are key examples of success in an economy built on outdoor recreation. 

Stories and experiences like these are how we grow wisely, by listening, learning, and evolving. We never know which collaboration is around the corner and the impact we could have. So, keep sharing each other's stories. View experiences as a learning opportunity. Keep taking the time to listen. Remain curious, remain open. Keep looking for inspiration to help others. We are so grateful for this unique experience that united KT with Timna and PIER. We are equally thankful for this remarkable community, our landowners, and stakeholders who welcomed Timna in May, and continue to support KT as we work towards sustainability for generations to come. 

#thankyouktlandowners you make these opportunities possible. We #ridewithgratitude for you!