Letter to the United Nations


This letter was submitted to the United Nations forum on eco-tourism 2002.

The mission of San Juan Safaris and other eco-tourism companies I have operated, has been consistent over the years. I have continually merged my professional goals with my environmental concerns.

The realization that I have had the rare opportunity to integrate my profession with my personal ideology has enabled me to maintain my enthusiasm even during the difficult periods of my career.

My greatest concerns center on the earth's inability to cope with the rapid human assault on its wildlife resources. Loss of habitat to commercial development coupled with human indifference towards the environment has deteriorated our quality of life, while allowing precious wildlife resources to slip into the history books.

My mission is to be a positive force in curbing these losses. Through the various activities we operate, I attempt to instill a sense of appreciation towards the total environment. I encourage the visitor to escape, if only temporarily, from their human made confines to experience a bonding with the earth on an intimate basis.

Through a close and personal encounter with a wild place, I believe people can be made aware of their connection to the natural world. Their inner spirit can be reawakened and reconnected with the earth; just as it once was prior to being severed by advanced civilization. It is with this mission that I devote my professional energies. To me, eco-tourism is the marriage of an altruistic mission to an economic model! The union of mission and model produces "sustainable tourism" which is critical to providing hope for many species and ecosystems throughout the world. Important also is that a career in ecotourism provides a platform for "responsible capitalism". Encouraging and promoting responsible capitalism is essential if we are to maintain a viable, biologically diverse planet in the future.

Sincerely,
Bill Wright
owner/operator of San Juan Safaris
San Juan Island, Washington

Please feel free to contact me regarding your special project.
References on request.