The Long Run

Long Run Destinations are becoming certified through the Global Ecosphere Retreat (G.E.R.) certification system. G.E.R. certification is determined by an applicant’s self-assessment results and third-party verification, as well as the successful completion of the E4C plan (see Application page here). Three certification levels are available to potential Long Run Destinations and are described in further detail below.

G.E.R. certification offers a number of benefits. Becoming a Long Run Destination certifies that your protected area and property exceed respective national and universally recognised standards, serving as best “sustainable practice” models when it comes to addressing the dimensions of conservation, community, culture, and commerce. Certification assures consumers, partners, governments, donors, and others that your Destination has been credibly tested and has achieved a variety of benchmarks.

The G.E.R. certification system reflects, observes or incorporates available national and international standards and guidelines for all areas of an ecosphere, but also accommodates the need for flexibility when it comes to different ecosystems. Through the certification system, Long Run Destinations go beyond these accepted standards to serve as “best practice” models, continuously setting new standards through an ongoing process of learning and innovation. The G.E.R. Certification system is transparent, relies on independent experts and follows procedures that are common in other international certifications such as in sustainable tourism.

The certification process involves four main steps:

STEP 1 requires that potential applicants introduce themselves by letting us know what natural area or Organisation you represent. To initiate trustful communication between the applicant and the Zeitz Foundation, we do request that you agree to our Terms and Conditions (ToCs). After accepting and submitting the ToCs, you will have access to our Self-Assessment Workbook, among other important tools and resources, to help you determine advance through the various certification steps.

STEP 2 requires an independent assessor to verify information provided in the self-assessment workbook and provide a feedback session of findings and next steps.

STEP 3 is defined by the development, submittal and review of the E4C-Plan, a document outlining the management plan for all 4Cs of the Long Run Destination

STEP 4 entails annual reviews of an updated E4C-Plan and determines if G.E.R. Certification can be sustained or not.

The certification system is based on the following assumptions:

• Activities undertaken by a Long Run Destination to obtain G.E.R. certification are voluntary and, for the most part, go beyond national legal obligations.
• The certification covers activities in all four dimensions (conservation, community, culture and commerce) that are an integral part of a Long Run Destination
• Long Run Destinations are engaged in a constant and systematic process of improvement and learning.

Long Run Destinations are guided by the 4keys—being fair, honest, positive, and creative —in all decisions and actions taken. As members of a global network, Long Run Destinations are connecting across the globe and, as a collective, contribute to safeguarding the ecosphere. As a requirement for applying for G.E.R. certification, applicants must meet the criteria as follows:

• Whereas the destination is a privately managed natural area of conservation value with identified and valued ecodiversity with defined geographical boundaries that is dedicated to achieving sustainability across the 4Cs in accordance with the G.E.R. certification system.
• Whereas the destination may be located in any part of the world, may be of any size and may be situated in different ecosystems such as terrestrial, marine or coastal areas.
• Whereas a destination complies with national laws and regulations, such as laws regarding land ownership, labor and environmental laws, regulations about conservation and community interaction, or permits to undertake responsible and ecologically sustainable commercial activities including tourism.
• Whereas a destination respects the principles enshrined in international laws and treaties that are relevant to the particular location and always include the following:
  • Core Conventions of the International Labor Organisation (ILO)
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
  • Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC)
  • World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
  • Conventions of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) regarding the preservation and promotion of creative diversity
  • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

What qualifies as “privately managed”?
Privately-managed natural areas are natural or wilderness areas of any size that are owned or leased by individuals, communal entities, private corporations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or other non-state actors that have rights to develop on and generate revenue from their land; predominantly, these areas, whether managed for or not-for-profit, lie outside the public sector and direct government control (neither managed nor governed by any government) and play an important role in safeguarding ecodiversity.

These can include areas whose ownership, management authority and responsibility belong to:

• private individual (such as a single land owner) or individuals (with shared ownership)
• private company
• NGO
• community
• cooperative

The technical approach of the G.E.R. Certification is focused on identifying value-adding solutions and less on finding the problems. Accordingly, it encourages members to strive for higher-order learning and long-term achievements rather than on meeting minimum standards.

As part of the application process and certification system, temporary members will undergo an independent assessment to verify the information provided in the self-assessment and to evaluate working and living conditions. G.E.R. Certified and/or G.E.R. Gold Certified members agree to undergo subsequent assessments at the discretion of the Zeitz Foundation in order to sustain membership on an ongoing basis.