The Role of the Eco-lodge

in Post-conflict Areas
A system for restoration and healing

SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1

MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16
The restorative effects of the Eco-lodge system

Contents
System Exploration 3

System Description 9

Reflections 17
 The restorative effects of the Eco-lodge system

System Exploration
Glossary of Terms 4

General Description 5

Case Studies 6

Super and Sub Systems 7

System in Time 8
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 4

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Biophilia - A term popularized by Harvard R&D - Research and development.
conservationist E. O. Wilson to describe the extent
to which humans are hard-wired to need connection
with nature and other forms of life.1 UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and
(http://biophiliccities.org/book.html) Cultural Organization
(http://whc.unesco.org/)
Eco-lodge - Usually a small-scale resort on par with
luxury camping. The lodge is dedicated to improving WWF - World Wildlife Fund
the triple bottom line - environment, culture / people, (http://www.worldwildlife.org/)
and economy.

Eco-tourism - Part of the greater tourism industry

that is focused on improving the triple bottom line -
environment, culture / people, and economy.
(http://www.ecotourism.org/)
(http://www.responsibletravel.org/home/index.html)

ESL - English as a Second Language

FSC - Forestry Stewardship Council

(https://ic.fsc.org/en)

IGO - Intergovernmental Organization

(http://www.intergovernmentalorganizations.org/whatis.
asp)

NGO - Nongovernmental Organization

(http://www.ngo.org/ngoinfo/define.html)

Peace Parks Initiatives - Efforts between adjoining

countries that share a group of ecological features
within a common geographical region. The countries
involved agree to work together for mutually beneficial
goals.
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 5

Outside Resistance to
GENERAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Eco-lodge
- Economy
- Government politics / immigration
In the past two years I have read two dissertations, Local Community - Natural disaster
one entitled Eco-tourism in Post-Conflict: A New Tool - Danger of disease

for Reconciliation, by Nikolas Strong-Cvetich and
another, The K2 Siachen Peace Park, by Saleem H. Ali.
Ever since then I have been intrigued with peace parks
initiatives and the role of the Eco-lodge, in
particular, as a tool for restoration and healing in
beautiful but war-torn places in the world.
There are many aspects to the system:
1. Local Eco-system
2. Local Social structure
3. IGOs, NGOs, and national and local authorities
4. Eco-lodge
Local Eco-system
In this study, the ecosystem will be treated as two
separate but interrelated parts:
- Geographical features (water, mountains,
forest, plains, Savannah, etc.)
- Wildlife
In post conflict areas the ecosystem may have been
completely decimated. In some places, like Angola,
there is still a danger from land mines. Extensive work
must be done to restore both forests (and other land
features) and wildlife.
Resistance
In the case of post-conflict areas the surrounding
community may be made up not only of locals
Outside Resistance to
(usually rural subsistence farmers) but also refugees
Eco-lodge
within temporary (or permanent) villages /
compounds. - War
Outside Resistance to
IGOs, NGOs, national and local authorities Eco-lodge
- Local community resistance /
The third component consists of IGO, NGO and
mistrust
collaborating local authorities. UNESCO would be an
example of an international governmental
organization (IGO). Some examples of non-
government organizations (NGOs) that would typically
be included in this kind of system would be WWF, FSC, Inputs from Outside
and various peace parks initiatives. Many national and Eco-lodge
local governmental departments are currently - Weather / climate / season
collaborating on projects and include ministries of - Money from eco tourists
- Local culture
wildlife, forest, agriculture, and tourism. - Building materials
- Sun
- Water
Eco-lodge - Food
The last component is the eco-lodge itself. Ideally, it
would be more than one lodge working together
toward mutual goals. Guests would have the System Outputs from
opportunity to volunteer for various projects that Eco-lodge
would enhance the local ecosystem or social system - Healing & Restoration (to people,
in the area. They would also be able to interact with culture and ecosystem)
local culture, participate in adventure sports, and - Usable micro-business & agro-
forestry models
relax and rehabilitate by means of massage, - Stimulated local economy
meditation, yoga, functional fitness and mobility - Enriched & informed eco tourists
training. - Empowered local community
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 6

ACTUAL CASE STUDIES

The Virunga-Bwindi region of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic
Republic of Congo, is a proven case of success. We see a collaboration in
ecotourism between former warring parties in contributing to prosperous
gorilla conservation, community development, and the foundations for Former Soviet Iron Curtain
sustainable peace.2

Another example of success is the European Green Belt, a trans-national

peace park that stretches the entire length of the former Soviet Iron
Curtain. It is an ecological network connecting high-value natural and
cultural landscapes while respecting the economic, social and cultural
needs of local communities.3

These examples give me hope that these kinds of projects can promote
healing and restoration for other regions in the world as well. Efforts are
already under way in once volatile places like Albania, Columbia, Somalia,
and Afghanistan.

Mountain Gorillas of Virunga national Park

by Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virunga_National_Park by European Green Belt Association, http://www.europeangreenbelt.org/iron-curtain.html)

SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 7

SUPER-SYSTEM: ECO TOURISM & NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS

WORKING TOGETHER FOR PEACE & PROSPERITY
WHY?

SYSTEM: THE ECO LODGE

WHAT?

SUB-SYSTEM: THE ECO COMPONENTS +

THE ECO TOURIST EXPERIENCE

WHY? Because business enterprises can do what
governments and NGOs cant. Government gears grind slowly
and often enforce too much control ineffectively. NGOs often
lack funds and run the risk of perpetuating dependency in local
communities receiving aid. But the Eco-tourism industry, and
Eco-lodges, in particular, have the financial backing necessary
to effect real and lasting environmental, cultural, and economic
benefit. Business can be used as a force for good.
WHAT? I want to explore the various interactions and effects
among the eco-tourist, the eco-lodge, and the greater social,
economical, and environmental context. The designation of
eco in eco-lodge implies that the lodge is not isolated from
its context but is deeply conscious and embedded in the
environment and culture of which it is a part. The eco-lodge,
especially, in areas affected by war, seeks to heal and restore.
This means that specific and collaborative programs of
empowerment will be part of the setup at the lodge.
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 8

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

War, genocide, decimation Trans-national peace parks An era of peace as nations

of ecosystems and initiatives involving IGOs, work together for
damage to national NGOs, national mutually beneficial causes
AROUND THE economies governmental authorities - Eco-tourism as a force for
SYSTEM and local eco-lodges positive change

Eco-lodge model did not Eco-lodge as a tool for Eco-lodge as a crucial

exist in these restoration and component to promote
contexts stimulation for local culture, enduring peace and
SYSTEM ecosystem and economy prosperity

Eco-tourist might Eco-tourist as eco Eco-tourist as vested

typically avoid these volunteer partner and change agent
WITHIN THE areas
SYSTEM
 The restorative effects of the Eco-lodge system

System Description
System Process 10

Structural Views 11-13

Super-system View 14

Sub-system Views 15-16

SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 10

SYSTEM PROCESS Process & Function:

1.
Locals help protect and manage the

Features - the beauty

animals and the land in exchange for

al a percentage of the profit. As tourists

hic
pay to see and experience the beauty
of
ap the of the wild, funds go to fund the

gr lan
d
IGOs, NGOs, and local authorities
(to support anti-poaching units and
o sustainable forestry projects) and
Ge
Resistance
then to support the economies of
Local from locals
local villages.
Community

War
Inputs

UNESCO,
2.
from
outside 2.

f
A common research facility and

Effects o
FSC & Eco-lodge
3.
Outside
Outputs resistance training center could be housed on
Ministry of from
Agriculture inside wildlife
Outputs the lodge property and could serve
cultural from
Forestry inside the community by providing
1. Eco-
opportunities for locals and refugees
Inputs relaxation
tourist forest to learn and experiment with
volunteer
from & land sustainable agriculture and micro

u n it y
WWF & & fitness Outside
outside
national
food
resistance business ideas.
wildlife adventure

3.
production Nat

mm
authorities sport ura
l Di
sas
Dis ter
eas s The lodge could include a public park

s
Co
eO
utb

c to r
Pol rea or shared space along the boundary
4.
ee
su n

it ica ks
Inputs from Inputs l In from which the local community
ug
flue
ef
Outputs nce
ecosystem from Glo
R (including refugees) could benefit. A

l Fa
from bal
outside Eco
inside n high degree of biophilic design within
wa

om
Relations & Inputs from y
the community research / training

ba
te r

Connections ecosystem Inputs from

community
center and the public park area could

G lo
Outside Resistance - Form 1 Inputs from
od be very healing for refugees of war.
fo

(from global and regioinal forces) ecosystem

Outside Resistance - Form 2

(from war)
bu
ild W il d life 4.
in g The lodge might employ up to 25 staff,
Outside Resistance - Form 3 ma all members of the local community,
teria
ls
(from local community)
and would probably include many
Inputs from Outside refugees as well.
(from surrounding ecosystem
and social system)

System Outputs from Inside

(healing and restoration to surrounding
ecosystem, community, and the eco tourist)
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 11

SYSTEM STRUCTURAL VIEW

Hierarchy Continent

This diagram shows the embedded relationship of

the eco-tourist / volunteer to the entire continent Other regions Region (including trans-
of the eco-lodge that he or she visits. It also gives national boundary area)
a clearer indication of how geographical features
and climate and refugee communities effect the
local context. Country Geographical
features
& climate
Economy Govt Pol. Other Region
structure regions
(provinces)
Religion Culture
Local
Eco-system
in c
on Local
flic
t culture

Refugee Local
community community

Eco-lodge

Eco-tourist
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 12

SYSTEM STRUCTURAL VIEW

Ring / Network Refugee Local

Community Community
This diagram shows the specific structure and
relationship of the four entities:
Social
Eco-lodge system
1. Local ecosystem
2. Local social system
3. IGO, NGO, and national (or trans-national)
authorities
4. Eco-lodge

And the flows between them.

IGI, NGO
& national Ecosystem
authorities
Wildlife Forest
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 13

SYSTEM STRUCTURAL VIEW

Chain / Order
This diagram gives a picture of eco-tourism The refugee community
money as it comes through the lodge and benefits and locals cooperate
the local community and surrounding ecosystem. together to restore the
The lodge invests in the local community eco-system of the area
(including refugees): jobs, a place of Refugee because there is
beauty and healing, training Community potential for
and test facility for financial
agro and micro- gain.
business
projects.
Social
system
Local
Community

Eco-tourist Eco-lodge
Volunteer

Ecosystem
Forest
The Eco-system is
enriched by the care of
the lodge and the locals.
The better care they provide,
the more it benefits them in
Wildlife
many ways including
economically.
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 14

SUPER SYSTEM VIEW

Viewed as a web of interconnected relationships, Peace Parks
it is immediately apparent how complex the big Initiatives
picture really is and how one entity effects all the
others. War Lords,
dictators,
despots
& rebel
armies
Global
Local Economy
community

Ecosystem

Other
Collaborating collaborating
national Eco-lodges
authorities
(tourism, agro-
Eco-lodge
forestry, wildlife)
Displaced
refugee
NGOs
community
(WWF, FSC,
Foundations
for Farming)

IGOs
(UNESCO,
WHO)
 of the Eco-lodge
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1 Experience
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 15

SUB-SYSTEM 1.0

Microcosm of the Eco-lodge

Experience

This model describes the experience and cultural

interaction of the eco-tourist / volunteer adventure
interaction

ity
(voluntourist) from the eco-lodge out sport

un

Wi
mm
into the surrounding context:

ldli
fe
l Co

es
uge
1. Cultural interaction

Loca

Ref
2. Adventure sport
t y

he

of dis c over
3. Wildlife-related activities

E
4. Land-related activities wildlife

c o -v o l u n
research &
5. Food production relaxation observation &
development
6. R&D community center (thrive school) & fitness preservation
training center
projects
The relaxation and fitness category is not
ou

ey
r i s t s j o u r n

t
included since it happens more in
seclusion within the private sanctuary of
the lodge and is more self-focused.

food reforestation
production & land dev.
projects

es
t ur
Fea
l
hi ca
rap
Geog
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 16

SUB-SYSTEM 2.0

A model for empowerment

sustainable
web /
building
This model demonstrates the role of the social

s
eco-lodge-sponsored community center. media office

sse
culinary
managment

micro busine
The thrive school would offer: renewable
energy
1. Professional training in practical skills Eco renewable
Local lodge energy
2. Education for schools (ESL, community
eco-tourism, etc.)
equipment
sustainable maintenance

In
3. Community R&D testing areas

ls
ves

si o n a
fish-farming sustainable Thrive

tin g in
agriculture School

o fe s
m

pr
to
o rr e
o w s t r a d

Land
reforestation,
land preservation &
management Wildlife

guide wildlife
services preservation
& management
The restorative effects of the Eco-lodge system

Reflections
Overall Reflections 18

Sources 19
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 18

OVERALL REFLECTIONS

Nesting I made a more recent discovery when I was This same model could very easily be adjusted
reading about a collaborative effort between to fit adults and, more specifically, displaced
Russian nesting dolls are a great metaphor for Green Village and Ibuku design firm in Bali, refugees. The buildings there also embody some
showing the qualities of connectedness and Indonesia. Green School, as it is called, is an of the clearest examples of biophilic design I
nurturing. From the beginning I wanted to show international elementary through senior high have ever seen. And it is precisely this biophilia
the system nested - a connectedness from the school that teaches all curriculum from a that could be a instrumental in healing trauma
super-system all the way down to the sub- sustainability (or true prosperity) perspective.4 among people affected by war.
systems. For example I felt that though wildlife
should be treated separately in the Eco-lodge
model because the goals for management and
preservation are a specific, it is always nested
within the land and part
of the larger ecosystem.

I also wanted to make sure that the refugee

community was shown nested and nurtured
inside the local community because thats the
goal for restoration and healing. People
displaced by war need welcoming arms so that
they can begin to heal and rebuild.

Thrive School
Though the name may certainly change the
concept of a community training center remains
permanently embedded in the overall concept of
an effective eco-lodge. I saw a version of this in
Livingstone, a Catholic mission that sponsored
a trade school and wood-fired pizza restaurant
named Olgas!
SHANNON REECE / PROJECT 1
MCAD SD-6510-10: SYSTEMS THINKING / WEEK 5 / 02.20.16 19

WORKS CITED

1
Beatley, Tim. Biophilic Cities: What are They? University of Virginia School of Architecture.
(http://biophiliccities.org/biophiliccities.html)

Strong-Cvetich, Nikolas J. Ecotourism in Post-Conflict: A New Tool for Reconciliation?

2

Monterey Institute of International Studies. 2007.

From Iron Curtain to Lifeline. European Green Belt. 2016. (http://www.europeangreenbelt.org/)

3

Green School, Green Village, and Ibuku - Luxury Bamboo Design. (http://ibuku.com/
4