Nordic Discovery - Certified Swedish ecotourism organizer according to the Swedish Ecotourism Society's certification, The Nature's Best

 

Nordic Discovery is a certified Nature's Best organizer since 2007.

Certification motivation

"Around the world, Nordic Discovery learned the trade in tourism. Back in the Swedish wilderness with long international experience, the company arranges, among other things, wildlife watching in canoes in The Malingsbo - Kloten Nature Reserve's winding rivers and lakes. Key words are: local cooperation, carefully protecting and maintaining nature and showing visitors their way through the wilderness"

The Swedish Ecotourism Association, 22 November, 2007.

We don't inherit nature from our parents, we borrow it from our children

The human race plays a huge part in determining the earth's future. Today, we drain and consume the earth's resources in a negative way. Our behavior affects other species of plants and animals, as well as the coming generations. Wilderness areas and wild animals are becoming more and more rare. Nordic Discovery works for the preservation and care of The Malingsbo - Kloten Nature Reserve. Nordic Discovery operates in a respectful and environmentally-friendly way, and expects our visitors to do the same during their visits. Visitors are guests in the nature reserve, and are required to demonstrate responsibility and care. Not to harm and not to destroy. We have the right to enjoy Swedish nature, but there is also a duty to behave responsibly. No traces of human activity should be left at the spots you have visited. We wish you a warm welcome to the Malingsbo - Kloten Nature Reserve and thank you for treating nature with respect.

Preservation work along Håltjärnsbäcken

Along the Håltjärnsbäcken Brook's winding course, lives a threatened species of river pearl mussels. The mussels were already in existence 80 million years ago and once coexisted with the dinosaurs. Nordic Discovery actively supports an improvement of the mussels’ environment. The goal is to recreate a healthy environment and maintain it into the future
As larvae, the mussels live as parasites on the brown trout’s gills. Without the brown trout there would be no river pearl mussels. Pictured is Nordic Discovery improving the brown trout's spawning grounds with pebble stones.

 

The brown trout's spawning grounds improves with pebble stones by Nordic Discovery's CEO Mikael Nilsson.

The inheritance of nature - Something to take care of

The spring flood along Håltjärnsbäcken is strong and risk to flush river pearl mussels away from their habitat. An annual measure, taken to reduce the impact of the spring floods, is to build and maintain dams in smaller brooks that flow into Håltjärnsbäcken
The river pearl mussel is an interesting species and on some of the tours we visit the hidden place of the mussel. Nordic Discovery educates visitors about the mussel’s impressive history and tell about the work being done to save this threatened species.

 

One of the dams in one of the smaller brooks that flow into Håltjärnsbäcken.

 

Nordic Discovery organizes tours and operates in accordance with ecotourism standards and values.

Nature’s Best's six basic principles:

1. Respect the limitations of the destination – minimise the negative impacts on local nature and culture
Ecotourism is about preserving what the visitor has come to experience. The ecological and cultural capacity of each area must be respected. This means tour operators must have a thorough knowledge of the destination, a local presence and must work closely with others present in the area.

2. Support the local economy
Ecotourism is about community development. Conservation can easily fail if local people object to it. Tangible benefits from tourism are a positive force. Each visitor contributes economically to the well-being of the destination by renting rooms, hiring local guides and purchasing goods and services. The more, the better.

3. Make all of the operator's activities environmentally sustainable
Ecotour operators must set a good example of sound environmental practice. Approved operators have policies to minimise environmental impact (e.g. collective transport, sustainable lodging, waste management, etc…).

4. Contribute actively to nature and cultural conservation
Ecotourism assumes responsibility for the protection of biodiversity and special cultural values. This means supporting nature preservation in various ways. Our operators cooperate to find ‘win-win’ ways of doing business.

5. Promote knowledge, and respect and the joy of discovery
Ecotourism is about travelling with curiosity and a respectful mindset. Approved operators are competent hosts who provide visitors with a good introduction to the area. Good advice and guidance are often the key to a memorable trip.

6. Quality and safety all the way
Ecotourism is quality tourism. Approved tours must meet and even exceed customers’ high expectations. Safety issues are taken very seriously, and satisfied customers are great in number. An approved tour operator is a trusted supplier and partner.

The Swedish Ecotourism Association.

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