A Five Star Approach to Environmental Education

I am greeted by sea vistas and smiling faces as I enter The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara lobby, trimmed with an extravagant tropical floral display and dotted by jewel-toned loveseats. It is, of course, a newly renovated five star resort, so my expectations are already set high. Impossible as it may seem, my environmental-focused weekend for the grand launch of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara exceeded my expectations.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara stands as one of Santa Barbara’s most iconic resorts, and for good reason. It sits atop 78 acres of lush beachside grounds and boasts a star-studded guest list. The rooms are light and airy with an entirely Mediterranean feel thanks to the abounding white linen contrasting against the polished deep-brown wood interior. Within minutes of walking through the resort grounds, the dichotomy of immense extravagance and profound relaxation becomes apparent.

It’s easy to lose oneself amongst the resort’s pristine white architecture, rolling hills and epic ocean view, but I can’t forget what brings me here in the first place. This year, renowned environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau brings his Ambassadors of the Environment Program to The Ritz-Carlton Bacara. It is one of four Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide to offer this unique award-winning program. The program is designed to inspire both guests and locals to embrace the natural wonders of our locale. With hands-on activities and an immersive educational itinerary, the Ambassadors of the Environment program brings mindful tourism to even the most luxurious institutions.

Jean-Michel Cousteau is President of the nonprofit organization Ocean Futures Society. His planner is likely brimming with important meetings with major-league heads of states and other high-ranking figures, but spending a weekend with him, it becomes clear that he is a child at heart. He constantly pokes fun at his environmentalist counterpart, Dr. Richard Murphy, and throughout the weekend Jean-Michel can be found playing tag with young children or cracking wise comments during informative speeches.

The weekend kicks off with an “ecohike” in which the group is guided by Cousteau and his team of naturalists through nature trails that surround the resort. Throughout the hike, Cousteau stops the group to point out different types of wildlife and explain their roles in the coastal ecosystem. The ecological commentary is paired with playful demonstrations to further immerse participants in the naturalist experience. He heartily shakes a shrub branch in front of us to demonstrate how seeds are dispersed in nature. The fluffy seed pods cover me from ponytail to Lululemon leggings, and with a head full of feathery seeds I beat on. (If Jean-Michel Cousteau shakes seeds all over you, you walk around with seeds all over you.)

the program intends to inspire guests to explore and protect nature”

The hike concludes with an informative walk along the waterfront in which Cousteau and Murphy demonstrate their keenness for marinebiology. The two happily and readily dig their hands into the sand in search of tiny organisms or anything else that peaks their interest. As Dr. Murphy passes around a scoop-full of sand loaded with tiny crabs, the team of naturalists explain that the presence of sand crabs is indicative of a healthy beach. The intriguing and educational conversations that I encounter in participating in the Ambassadors of the Environment Program are endless.

Of course, no weekend at the Bacara is complete without a meal at the resort’s signature Angel Oak. We reconvene for cocktails and mind-blowingly delicious appetizers (like beet and goat cheese macaroons) followed by dinner. We are seated under the stars atop Santa Barbara’s coastal bluffs as we share a delicious ethically sourced surf-and-turf dinner complete with the largest salmon I have ever laid eyes on, a rainbow assortment of root vegetables, ceviche, oysters, and compelling conversation with Jean-Michel and the Ambassadors of the Environment team. “Santa Barbara is the perfect location for this program,” says Sara Welsh, the lead Ambassador for the Ambassadors of the Environment Program. “The resort sits on the largest stretch of undeveloped coastline in Southern California, so it’s a true look into nature.”

The immersive program is bound to be a hit among children, young adults, and families alike. Through activities like the ecohike I participated in, coastal scavenger hunts, stargazing and more, the program intends to inspire guests to explore and protect nature, and leave their stay at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara with a new perspective for a more sustainable future.

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