Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

Wild Jordan was created in Amman as a branded division of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to formulate and enforce ecotourism programs and practices in the preserved sites in order to promote the socio-economic well-beings of local communities surrounding specific nature reserves.[2] Their main purpose is "to develop viable nature-based business within and around RSCN's protected areas in order to bring tangible economic and social benefits to local communities and generate financial, political, and popular support for nature conservation throughout the Kingdom."[3] Wild Jordan displays all products of the local communities involved in ecotourism such as hand-crafted silver jewelry, organic jams and fruit leathers, painted ostrich eggs, sandblasted frames, environmental board games, natural olive oils, and goat leather nature boxes as this helps generate more sales.[4] Wild Jordan of the RSCN is responsible for charging entrance fees to all the reserves and sites and for routing the income from these fees and from tourism and crafts to support the local people and conservation programs.[5] It has also built a Food Café and Internet Café to increase sales as the revenue of these two cafes is used directly to assist local communities.[5] The Wild Jordan center, located in Amman was funded by USAID.[6] The RSCN has 100% local employment policy in all their protected areas, resulting in ecotourism directly supporting upwards of 160,000 families throughout Jordan.[7] Wild Jordan's position in the RSCN allows for control over ecotourism through the management of income generating programs that build on local products and skills.[8] Wild Jordan's success in linking nature conservation to rural development through the employment of locals and the promotion of local goods is attributed to its "organized business strategy and engagement with the private sector."[9] The environmental entrepreneurship that Wild Jordan has engaged in has allowed the RSCN to produce more popular support in conservation, reduce its need for financial support from the government, and grow into a leader in sustainable development.[9] In 2010, Wild Jordan won the prestigious Guardian-Observer "Ethical Travel Award", which is given for outstanding work in responsible tourism.[10]

Feynan Ecolodge was constructed in 2005 by renowned architect Ammar Khammash in Wadi Feynan at the western edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, the only reserve that includes four different bio-geographical zones of the country: Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo Arabian and Sudanian penetration.[11] Feynan Ecolodge is owned by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and is the first of its kind in Jordan.[12]

Feynan Eco Lodge

Feynan Ecolodge was developed to provide economic opportunities for local communities and generate revenue to conserve Jordan's wild places.[7] Feynan was also developed to provide a sustainable alternative to open cast copper mining as Wadi Feynan was historically one of the main copper mining hubs in the world and copper mining in Feynan is no longer economically viable and is environmentally disastrous.[7] Feynan Lodge consists of 26 rooms, which can accommodate 60 people. It was constructed in the shape of an ancient caravanserai. Electricity is generated through solar panels, which is only used in the reception office, bathrooms, and kitchen.[7] The rest of the building is lit by candles, which are made locally by hand. Local springs are the source for water used at the lodge. Vegetarian food is only served and is prepared from products purchased within a 40 km radius of the lodge. Alcohol is banned as a courtesy to cultural sensitivity. Feynan Ecolodge exclusively employs locals. Additionally, Feynan employs local women, which is unusual especially in rural Jordan.[13] Feynan Ecolodge employs in an area where there are few jobs and poverty is an issue facing the community. Feynan Ecolodge directly benefits over 80 families in the local Bedouin community, which equates to about 400 people. Locals and Bedouins incorporate culture in the lodge by introducing their way of life and providing genuine cultural interactions.[14] Um Khalid is a Bedouin woman who bakes all of Feynan's bread fresh daily.[15] Feynan Lodge is considered "the emblem of the Jordan's conservation crusade and the heart of sustainable tourism in Dana."[14]

In September 2009, EcoHotels took over the management and operation of the lodge. EcoHotels is a privately owned Jordanian startup company based in Amman; it has been internationally recognized by the AllWorld Network in 2011 and 2012 and was named as one of the Arabia 500 companies in 2012.[13] EcoHotels manages and operates the ecolodge in a unique private sector/NGO partnership with the RSCN, an arrangement that USAID encouraged. This partnership allows RSCN, mandated by the government, to manage Jordan's nature reserves and concentrate on conservation work. At the same time, EcoHotels focuses on tourism development and guest eco-experiences. Since EcoHotels has taken over, visitor numbers have increased by 130% in the first 18 months of operation.[16] The Wadi Feynan eco-lodge now runs at 80 percent occupancy in season. The founder of EcoHotels, Nabil Tarazi, a former CEO of a company in the technology sector of London, stated, "Feynan was transformed to offer a plethora of new experiences, its environmental footprint decreased, the number of staff doubled; benefiting more families in the local community, and the lodge received much acclaim in the international media."[16] Ecotourism activities in the Dana-Feynman area generated about $565,000 in revenue.[14] Tarazi attributes Feynan's success to the ecotourism model that "generates profit while also improving the surrounding area."[14] A portion of Feynan's income is spent on conservation efforts at the Dana Biosphere Reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.[17] In 2013, over 50% of what guests paid remained within the local community.[16] National Geographic's Traveller magazine selected Feynan Ecolodge as one of the best "twenty five spots to sleep in the wild," making only one of five lodges in the world to make both the 2009 and 2013 list.[11] Hailed as one of the top fifty ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Adventure magazine, the solar powered Feynan Ecolodge offers the most developed eco-experience in Jordan; an experience made possible by a unique partnership between EcoHotels and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.[18] Visitors have a chance to visit local Bedouin families, many of whom work at the lodge.[19]

The protection of the natural biodiversity in Jordan is a prominent effort carried out by the Nature Guides.[20] One way Jordan is trying to preserve its landscape is through hunting regulations that protect endangered species and animals from illegal poaching.[21] For example, in the Yarmouk Nature Reserve, there is an emphasis on protection for the deciduous oak trees, which make up 85% of trees in Jordan.[20] There are also hot springs and cold springs located in Yarmouk Reserve that if unregulated by the nature guides would be vulnerable to destruction or pollution by the tourists.[20]

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) has successfully reintroduced species and restored landscapes throughout Jordan.[22] Since 2013, there has been local opposition from the Jordan communities near conservation sites.[22] The surrounding communities are “expecting immediate gratification” with the intentions of the RSCN's land preservation and hunting regulations.[22] Locals in Jabal Masouda were under the impression that their land would be transformed into a nature reserve.[22] Similarly, Karak, Petra, Tafileh, and Aqaba are being affected by the RSCN's restriction to allow their communities to log and their animals area to graze.[22] The resistance from local communities originates from the restrictions on their land use and rights for economic benefits.[22]

• RSCN Website