Defining Ecotourism

The Nature Conservancy and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) adopted the following definition of "ecotourism", and we think it's a good one.

"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socioeconomic involvement of local peoples."

Ecotourism At Yellow Hills Ranch

The plan is to create low impact, off the grid, camp-like villages to generate economic activity to support the community and further restore the open space and range over time. Each will demonstrate sustainable building techniques in a traditional style.

Each village has a theme and consist of 25 units to be built on 25 acres witin the Open Range or Cooperative Land. These facilities will operated by the Ranch in cooperation with residents. They will be used for retreats, health seminars, adventure vacations, range rider tours and the like.

The Villages will be located in some of the most beautiful environments where they will melt into the setting and becoming part of the fabric of the land. They are to be examples of a low impact, tasteful method for engaging people in outdoor settings that are light on the land.

Here are some themes we are considering.

  • WOODLAND RETREAT: This will be located on a quiet woodland road within the most secluded and quiet confines of the Ranch in a pinion pine forest. This is an environment in the middle of a wildlife corridor for retreat or learning events.
  • RANGE RIDERS: This will be a place where horse owners come to a ride or work with the resident Mustangs. Each day they tour another portion of the Ranch on horseback before returning to another tent camp set out for them and their horses each night.
  • WILDLIFE STUDIES: This village will be built at the natural confluence of five Ranch trails that come together at the edge of the of largest open pasture. It's a place to see a herd of wild horses mix with hundreds of elk in an open range. The camp will be light on the land and barely visible until you are in it.
  • RANCH AND FARM VILLAGE: This village is for those focused on agriculture and sustainable ranching. It is a place to learn through hands-on involvement.
  • ARCHEOLOGICAL STUDIES: The area is rich in archeological sites that tell the story of New Mexico's history. This is a demonstration that recreates life from bygone times.
  • OUTDOOR SKILLS: Some of the best instructors in this field in the Country are located in high desert environments in the Southwest.
  • WILDLIFE RESCUE:  We are a wildlife rescue place already. This would be developed as a place to learn wildlife rescue skills and observe a real program in action.

New Mexico's Vision for Ecotourism

New Mexico aspires to become the premier role model and destination for ecotourism and conservation initiatives in the United States of America. See below for further information about the New Mexico Ecotourism initiative.

New Mexico Dept of Tourism on Ecotourism | New Mexico's Vision | Video Link

For New Mexico Tourism Department's Ecotourism Program please call Deputy Secretary Jennifer Hobson at 505 827 6674 or email jennifer.hobson@state.nm.us

New Mexico Initiative

The New Mexico Department of Tourism has embarked upon a bold and progressive Ecotourism Initiative, the only such state initiative in the Country.

The Tourism Department sees this as a opportunity for New Mexico in the fastest growing segment in worldwide tourism today.

  • NY Time Article
  • Others