"Connecting Communities".. Trekking Collective a recognized regional leader in Responsible Tourism since 1988



Unique Cultural Experiences
photocredit: NancyLeeMacDonald

Trekking Collective is an independent tour operator set up in 1988 co partnered by Caroline and Chaiyan they are based in Chiang Mai, the capital city of the ancient Lanna Kingdom which was established  more than 700 years ago. ..."Trekking Collective has followed principles of sustainable tourism and ethical business practise in the vulnerable environment of  Northern Thailand's indigenous hill communities since well before 'ecotourism' became an industry buzzword..." Oliver Hargreave, Chiang Mai based travel consultant,travel guide author and photographer. 



Mountain Trails
photocredit:TrekkingCollective2011

For more than 20 years Trekking Collective's proven track record to date on sustainability for communities has meant developing environmental wareness towards a sustainable lifestyle for indigenous and local  Lanna communities in the far north border areas of the Lanna Kingdom (northern Thailand). As diverse as re planting watershed forested areas in vulnerable mountain environments started in 2001; clean water wells dug to prevent risk of disease and hardship to access an all year water supply in the early 1990's; Emergency food, supplies and interest free loans to villager's whose generations old paddifields, lychee Orchards, homes were devastated by mudslide and flood with no government agency or NGO offering help to villagers and a family whose sons were sadly lost.

Introducing hydrogen fuel cells cutting carbon by 20-30% to company vehicles since 2008, buzzing around Chiang Mai by bicycle for over 20 years, plus daily use of e-scooters  in the old city  to offering an organic locally sourced seasonal menu and supporting community group products available for sale at their offices in Chiang Mai promoting a low carbon sustainable society

Projects Timeline

• A pleasure to support clean water supplies to  Lisu and Rad Lahu  communities on the Burma border.
• Sponsoring school children for study materials, first aid kits, sports equipment, blankets and mosquito netting in Chiang Rai province.

School supplies for 500 school children

• Emergency rice dried foods and clothing carried to a Karen Village in Wiang Pa Pao district after Homes, Rice Paddies and Lychee Orchards were devastated by flood.
• Providing pack-ponies for sustainable transportation of crops reducing 'middlemen' costs
• Interest free loans and Trading with the Villagers
• Providing basic health and hygiene medicines for All.
• Successful since 2001. Native Tree species re- Forestation program. First workshop held in Chiang Mai Uni., with many of the group never traveling to the 'capital' and travel issues as no one had ID cards. The community in situ  tree nurseries and classrooms for additional workshops hand built by the Villager’s with 'living’ fencing.
•  villager's agro forestry workshop, collect and propagate seeds so to protect the last stands of Rattan in the area. A essential forest product for food and Basketry and continuation of traditional skills
• 2004 Piggy Bank first established with 'super pigs' purchased from Chiang Mai Government breeding centre and transported to the mountains (they were not very happy about this)
• Shepherd Mead generously donating a new computer to the UN built boarding School, Mae Suai, Chiang Rai province
• 2010.The Community ‘Cow and Piggy’ Bank. Now a successful sustainable stand alone project with a herd of more than 20 cows.
• 2010-2015 Community 'Rice Banks'  for village food security
• August 2011 'Rice Banks have been constructed and maintained by village committees in four communities.
• On going program for old perscription glasses every type of frame especially children size frames. Poor light and nominal eye checks lead to prolonged poor sight especially for the village elders.

Mixed breed Cows are hardy and forage for food

The Community "Cow and Piggy Bank" project which was generously co supported by their long time guest since 1992 and a good hearted friend Albert Steenvoorden  is now a successful sustainable stand alone project with more than a herd of 20 cows, traded and bartered for necessary goods and health emergencies.

New born calves and piglets are cared for by families with the 2nd born reinvested back in to the 'piggy and cow bank' for another villager to establish a new 'account'. More details in English and Dutch 



Albert Steenvoorden on a personal visit to the Community

Unique Indigenous Community

Khun Eggachai village Chief

 Trekking Collective's main focus from 2010 to 2015 is on constructing and maintaining   'Rice Banks' for village food security  due to the adverse effects from global warming play directly with the people’s daily lives much faster than scientists and any computer models have anticipated. 30,000 Baht generously donated by staff and friends for Snackbar Zeeduin, Netherlands 

More donations mean they can develop a rice bank ‘branch’ for every community, environmental awareness programs, permiculture workshops developing outreach projects to other villages in the area, marketing village organic products, provide building materials and transportation. More Details in Dutch and English

As of August 2011 four communities in Chai Prakan district of Chiang Mai and Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai with their own 'Rice Banks' constructed and now maintained by the villager's themselves!

Majority decision making by the People with Low Technology solutions are the key elements to all projects. If you wish to directly help the best way is to join one of our trips and enjoy the villagers insightful company or you can become a supporter by contacting community@trekkingcollective.com

Trekking Collective would like to personally thank the many individuals, especially Mr. Albert Steenvoorden and Mr. Sheperd Mead; School groups especially Long Island Uni. USA; University of Washington faculty staff and students; Incentive groups CATHAY PACIFIC and non – governmental organisation (NGO’s) especially FORRU based at  C.M.U. that have given their generous support, energy and expertise to the People.



UN built Indigenous Peoples boarding school receiving
PC donated by Mr. Sheperd Mead

Trekking Collective’s short, medium and long term goals have remained the same, mutual cooperation within communities, supporting sustainable agricultural practices as the main focus with an ethical sustainable tourism business model supporting these objectives.

To get involved directly join one of Trekking Collective's excellent trips as a percentage of payment goes directly to support all on-going community projects with the knowledge that costs and adminisration are kept at a minimum and the value of your money benefits the maximum number of people by the direct actions taken by Trekking Collective by their proven track record.

If you are not joining them for a trip just now, but wish to participate in projects? Human resource contributions, donations and knowledge sharing are very welcome and they follow up your trip with an annual newsletter update containing all co supported community activities over the year.
Add your email and request Bank details

Mayor of Chiang Mai signing the ' LCLN Peoples Pledge' commiting the city to a low carbon future
with members of LCLN and other community groups

Locally, Trekking Collective has been supporting and coordinating 'grassroots' community groups including Holistic Environment Urban Schools Program (HEUSP) and is a founder member of Lanna Community Life Network ( LCLN). LCLN activities include promoting environmental awareness, developing a culture specific ' Peoples Pledge' that more than 3,000 citizens of Chiang Mai have signed to date including the Mayor, Chiang Mai Royal family, organic farmers groups and many regional government offices . HEUSP activities include supporting activities at 4 school within the 3 King's Monument area and the cultural heart of the city. Tree planting, recycling to self support a student’s community bank and a great success a Weekly Organic Farmer's Market  held at an urban government primary school in the old city of Chiang Mai....."Connecting Urban and Rural Communities."





HEUSP Organic Farmer's Market at Puttisopon Primary School, Chiang Mai Old City
Promoting a healthy Low carbon society !

Regionally and Globally Trekking Collective has been lauded a ..."Mekong Champion in Sustainable Tourism"....in the latest official Mekong Responsible Tourism website 2017, funded by USAid and the French Government  it is endorsed by the six regional countries that follow the banks of the Mekong River namly Yunnan, in China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Trekking Collective is supported by a Royal Dutch Government Export initiative supporting best practice CBT and CSR businesses from developing nations to connect with partners in the EU



  



                                              

UN World Tourism Day 2013.. Make a Difference Globally Celebrate Locally in Chiang Mai!






  
For 2012 UNWTO's challenge to the global tourism industry was to applaud renewable energy  solutions.

A locally based Chiang Mai tour operator www.trekkingcollective.com  [TC] met the challenge to self design and locally produce hydrogen fuel cells fitted to their company vehicles reducing energy bills and vehicle emmissions by a minimum 20%

....So for UNWTO 2013's WORLD TOURISM DAY  the challenge to the global tourism industry is to work towards sustainable initiatives to preserve 'at risk' global fresh water  resources. 

Long term advocates of Trekking Collective's
indigenous and urban initiatives, Gail and Roger Johnson were in town accompanying the annual University of Washington student study tour group that participate in TC designed 'special interest' community based [CBT]field treks for over 7 years.

Each year Roger Johnson and TC exchange ideas that support Trekking Collective's core values of sustainability of low tech 'doable' community initiatives that 1. Work 2. Affordable and beneficial for all 3. reduce, reuse and recycle locally 4. low maintainence 5. everyone can do! 7. Promote towards a low carbon global society.



 

Ajarn Sawat Chantalay a member of HEUSP with Students from the 'Connecting Classrooms'
initiative @ Yupparaj High School with Roger Johnson demonstrating his ideas.



2013 Roger gave his time to present his latest ideas to Faculty of Engineering, CMU and at a  lively 'Connecting Classrooms' session held at Yupparaj High School a ground breaking government school "think outside of the box" initiative created by Ajarn Sawat Chantalay an award winning local conservationist, Chiang Mai native and a member of HEUSP.


Parents and locals buying their weekend veggies!

  


Each Friday a local community group Holistic Environment Urban School Program - HEUSP co -supported by Trekking Collective puts together an ISAC Farmer's Organic Market at Puttisopon, a local Primary School in the Old City of Chiang Mai.

A great community meeting place to promote awareness and share local and global health and environmental issues... these cool Women Farmer's grow and prepare their own endemic vegetables and make local healthy snacks to sell direct to school parents, students, teachers. The local community and foreign visitors are all welcome!


This was a great spot for Roger Johnson to show how to put together his 'pee-dra-ponics' plant feeder or 'dry toilet'..... Read On!

Ajarn Roger putting together parts whilst the Women Farmer's juggle selling veggies and learning
how to make the 'Pee-dra-ponics' plant feeder



Simple Tools



Using local sourced and recycled products





Using 'Guesstimate' technology!



Science and English Dept. teachers from Puttisopon School
check the power point presentation
and help out with Thai-English translations

  

A couple of Student's Dads...obviously DIY experts joined the workshop!

Taking Notes!

The simplest ideas are always the best! with Ajarn Roger's hygenic system of converting liquid waste into organic plant food.
365 days access to FREE liquid fertilizer
2/3 Reduction in solid waste storage
up to 7 x production in vegetable plots compared to not using and fertilizers
100% chemical fertilizer free soil
improve soil quality organically
urban school projects can produce organic healthy vegetables in raised dry beds - no 'real' garden space necessary
Urban and rural local governments can upscale systems for efficient community clean sanitation management. 
So making savings in the amount of water resources used within communities.

Final peedraponic prototypes!

Success! An upscaled version of the system is now in place on an ISAC organic permaculture  farm. Next term the Science Department of Puttisopon School will have a working demonstration model and garden up and running in November 2013 with workshops planned for indigenous communities by Trekking Collective along with other parallel sustainable long term community initiatives since 1988.

Khun Aree from the ISAC Women's Organic Farmer's Group
with Roger Johnson who has a 'bedroom peedraponics system'
up and running in her permaculture garden.

Planting for Another 87 Years!





Welcome to Puttisopon Primary School 87th Anniversary!
Fine traditional fruit and vegetable carving and decorative leaf folding presented as a ceremonial display to HM King of Thailand.
Intricate creative skills by 11 year old grade 6 students

September the 1st 2012 was Puttisopon Primary School's 87th Anniversary, held a day early to fit school term. Formally a Temple school it is now under the jurisdiction of the ministry of Education, Chiang Mai with the original Chedi dating back to the 15th Century still within the schools' boundry.




Original Chedi 15 Century







chairman of the schools' foundation Khun Metta Soratiwa receiving a Dragon Fruit plant that contains many vitamins for health, easy to grow and promotes oxygen in the city air.




 This year the chairman of the schools' foundation Khun Metta Soratiwa, Puttisopon Director Banyot Somlid, Acharn Monk Sombat Siriponno,  Kru Nongluck DaengThai Head of Social Studies whom invited HEUSP and other school representatives along with head of the PTA Khun Manit Hongkaew celebrated by giving 87 students each a 1000 Baht to help support their studies with many children having social issues as sadly many have lost parents  with mainly Grandparents without government support caring for these kids and families under the poverty line.






Thanks to busy Mum's like Khun Nid and graduate Social Studies' teacher whom all gave a helping hand @ HEUSP tent with over a 1100 students taking home a plant to care for and together help keep healthy and clean the air in the city!.

Holistic Environment Urban School Program - HEUSP was lending a helping hand during the celebrations with 1700 give aways of six local and regional economic and medicinal plants to every visitor, student, teacher, PTA and parents.



The 'rush' to sign the pledge was incredible - Thanks to Kru David for supplying
some of the reused  plastic bags!



Kru Rueng Na Pha Phu Roong Rueng Grade 6/4 Teacher choosing her "Pak Wan Baan"

There was a slight catch for all these giveaways as everyone signed up first to the 10:10 LCLN peoples pledge first which is an easy step by step way to reduce how much carbon we all use starting at 10% with a goal to getting to 90% so children can have a safe, clean and healthy place to live.




School Director Bunyot Somlid pledges the school to cut carbon use by 10%  yearly





Kru Nong Luck DaengThai Head of Social Studies signs the LCLN peoples  pledges


This community event had a serious message with ideas designed around fun hands on activities!





 

Everyday at one of  the  old city's pollution 'hot spots' students with no protection and traffic police unprotected direct traffic and pedestrians

outside the school

  


We all must address urgent urban community health impacts from illegal black exhaust fumes from vehicles affecting our most youngest and at risk citizens




  

Creative Grade  3 Student!



 
 Creative use of flyers stating "STOP BURNING" has this bright grade 3 student  looking cool and spreading the message to all adults to stop all toxic waste, farm and forest burning it the main cause of chronic diseases in the young and aged

 

Ladies@ Huay Hong Krai - Doi Saket working hard!


A couple of days before the event we headed up to Doi Saket to collect all the plants. The team of Ladies did a great job collecting and stacking all 1700 + plants along with offering great local advice on plant properties including the " En Yurt" medicinal plant which was chosen.
Applied raw to the affected area it relieves muscular pain. Thank-you to Tomoko Kashiwazaki a long term Japanese resident and supporter for helping out.



Local Red Truck with 1700+ plants squeezed in the back!
 Car Share or is it a Plant Share!




Connecting Communities glimpes from behind the scenes on how cooperating together we can achieve our vision for a healthy livable safe Chiang Mai for all!



  

Helping together under team leader Khun Banyot Somlid and in the background Tomoko HEUSP



HEUSP Holistic Environment Urban School Program is a bottom to Top local community based  initiative encompassing 4 schools within Chiang Mai Old City including Yuparraj High School YPR., Puttisopon Primary School, Panee Nursery School and Mettasuksa  Boys School. Contact: Thai / English +66 0831 523621
 


Respect, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Replant -The HEUSP Mantra!




Caroline Marsh is co-founder of Chiang Mai based independent ethical tour operator  Trekking Collective Co.,  .."Expertise, Ethical travel and Authentic Experiences contribute to making a difference to local communities and the environment." passionate about new experiences, travel and environmental well being she writes for travel sites and helps coordinate local 'grassroots' community peoples actions for a better future society