About Us
Andres and Michelle
What makes Black Sheep Inn an ecological hotel?
Mission Statement & Vision
Black Sheep Inn aims to provide a comfortable, educational experience for guests, teaching
about the local area, customs and Permaculture, while contributing to and improving the
community and the natural environment. The goal is to be a leader in environmental
stability and ecotourism. When someone first arrives and walks up the driveway,
we want to surpass their expectations.
Who We Are
A Little History
We, Andres Hammerman & Michelle Kirby, started building the Black Sheep Inn in 1995.
We're both from the USA. For years we were hardcore backpackers, searching out
destinations not mentioned in guidebooks, always looking for an adventure off the beaten path.
And in 1992 we discovered the town of Chugchilán.
The beauty of the dramatic countryside and the friendliness of the people won
us over. We did not want to leave the village. We stayed with a
local family for two weeks who took us in as their own. But when they offered
to sell us land, we thought they were crazy! The longer we stayed in Chugchilán,
the more we realized it was the right place for us. We finally tore ourselves
away, teary eyed and promised the local family we would come back in a couple years
to buy their land.
We went back to the USA and worked hard determined to save money. In 1994 we
returned to Ecuador and bought a piece of property in Chugchilán in 1995. We knew we
couldn't survive by farming potatoes, but had faith that the beauty and
remoteness of Chugchilán would be enough to attract tourists to
the 'Bed & Breakfast' we would build: "The Black Sheep Inn".
Dreams Come True - We are Conservationists
Now, over 25 years later, we look back and marvel at what we have done. It
has been an incredible learning experience. We have both become
"Jacks-of-all-Trades," installing electrical and water systems,
learning permaculture farming techniques, making adobe bricks, cutting trees
for firewood and beams, building furniture, and learning how to run a
business in Ecuador. We are now accomplished architects, we have earned
doctorate degrees from the International School of Trial and Error (ISTE).
Our dissertations were filled with many major errors! With an average of
over ten guests per night at the Black Sheep Inn, the village of Chugchilan is
now 'on the tourist map.' Our dream became reality.
Community Involvement
Chugchilán has not lost its charm due to the influx of tourism. We
are deeply involved with the community. Michelle volunteered teaching English and basic
computer skills in the local high school for 20 years. We have received and donated
several dozen computers and a copy machine to the community. We established
a small public library with over 1500 Spanish reading books and 10 computers for educational
programs. We provided the first public internet connection.
Tourism has provided a new source of income for the village and
the people are friendlier than ever. Humberto Ortega now has a thriving
business leading horseback rides and several families have also opened their
own hostels. Check out Hostal Casa Mama Hilda, Cloud Forest Hostel, Hostel Vaquero,
Hostal Dona Clarita and a few more!
Chugchilan has something for everyone.
A Work in Progress
We are constantly building and improving the Black Sheep Inn. The newest features include a
Massage Room with woodstove, Yoga Studio, Weight/Exercise room, Waterslide and Frisbee Golf. A new laundry
area was completed in 2005 along with large adobe storage room. In 2003, we opened
a new bunkroom, with a fantastic view and bigger beds. The old bunk room has
become a volunteers' room. Other improvements at the Black Sheep Inn since
1997 include a Guest Lodge, Common Area and Dining Room, woodstoves in all the
private rooms, extra set of pillows, larger bath towels, path lighting, a Sauna,
3 new composting toilets, FREE Tea and Coffee, a tree house, a Zipline Cable Swing,
Internet Service and more.
In 2006 we finished a new managers room with bathroom and shower, expanded and
remodeled our office, installed an Ozone Water purification system, installed
Satellite Internet and wireless access in the main guest lodge, opened a new
cold food bodega and a wine cellar and Andres now has his own tool and hardware storage room.
Awards
Our conservation
projects and our ecotourism
efforts have won a number
of awards and acknowledgments over the years.
2015
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2011
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2009
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We have been included in National Geographic Adventure's Top 50 EcoLodges 2009. |
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You can check out a
PDF
of the Delta SkyMag article.
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2008
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Winner - International EcoClub EcoLodge Award in both 2006 for building Chugchilán's recycling center, and the second time in 2008 for adding a tree nursery to the site. |
2006
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Winner - 5th Annual Skål International Ecotourism Awards in the category of Rural Accommodation in 2006. We were invited to Thailand to receive the plaque. How cool is that? |
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2005
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* Finalist for Tourism for Tomorrow Award - World Travel & Tourism Council * Highly Commended, Best in Mountain Environment - First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards * Winner in Conservation - Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Cares for Tomorrow Sustainable Tourism Awards |
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2002, 2003 & 2004
* Short-Listed - Responsible Traveler Award 2004
* Top 10 Ecolodges in the World - Outside Magazine 2003
* Eco-Certified - by Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism and the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Society, 2003
* Best Website - Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism in 2002
Black Sheep Inn - in the News
Over the years, Black Sheep Inn has been featured in various newspapers,
magazines and blogs. Ecotourism and green travel are gaining strength!
Black Sheep Inn is proud to be outstanding in it's flock when it comes to
affordable ecological tourism.
Please let us know if you've read an article about us that is not listed here.
Links to Friends
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BikingDutchman.com |
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Exitotravel.com |
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SmartAboutCarbon.com |
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Planeta.com |
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EcoClub.com |
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PackForAPurpose.com |
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Greenty.com |
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GreenStayCard.com |
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Ecotourism In Ecuador
Planeta.com
Black Sheep Inn co-authored Seven Recommendations for Strengthening Ecotourism in
Ecuador. Since December 2002 we have been working with Grupo Internet
en Favor del Ecoturismo Ecuatoriano (GIFEE), a grassroots cyber-collective.
Together we have created seven recommendations for the Ecuadorian Government to take
action in realizing Ecuador's potential as an international ecotourism leader.
Check out the letter that was sent to a number of government officials.
GIFEE letter (at Planeta.com) and
GIFEE letter (at EcoClub.com).
South American Explorers Club
SAEC - One of the best sources of information on Ecuador. The Club is a non profit
organization with Clubhouses in Quito, Ecuador, Lima and Cuzco, Peru and Argentina.
Head office is located in Ithaca, New York. Membership fees are used to fund
extensive resources for travelers, and additional projects of social and cultural
merit in South America.
ITACA
ITACA provides free information in both English and Spanish on Appropriate
Technology such as water systems, sanitation, electricity, stoves, construction and
more. Check out their website for great information and designs.
Transitions Abroad
For over 30 years, the single most useful and comprehensive resource - THE Web
portal - for Work Abroad, Study Abroad, Cultural Travel Overseas and International
Living. We wrote an article for their online magazine entitled
"Slow Tourism in Ecuador - Travel That Raises Awareness"
Ecuadorian Association of Ecotourism
Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Ecoturismo (ASEC). The Black Sheep Inn is an
active member of this association. ASEC has helped to certify 12
organizations as "Empresas Especial de Ecoturismo." We are honored to
be one of the first to be Eco-Certified in Ecuador.
EcoTurismo Latino
A site that aims to be a bridge between enterprises who offer any alternative tourism
service or product, and domestic or international travelers; achieving an exchange
of updated information, alternative tourism services and products, and human solidarity.
Please email us with updates to any of these sites, or suggestions of
additional sites to include.
International Ecotourism and Conservation
Eco Hotels of the World
An independent guide to some of the greenest hotels on the planet. In a
world where the choices we make increasingly impact on our environment, why
not search for your next hotel here and enjoy a holiday knowing that you
are one of the good guys! Buy the Eco Hotels
Book!
iStayGreen.org
Index and rating of Green Lodging and Eco-Friendly Hotels. Stay at a "green"
property. Support properties that are making efforts to be environmentally friendly.
Review properties you visit and share what they're doing for our environment. Invite
people to join your network at iStayGreen and share with others. Black Sheep Inn
maintains a "Very Good Rating", 3 Green Eco-Leafs.
EcoTrotters
Ecotrotters is a growing online community of ecotravelers. At EcoTrotters.com
you'll be able to share your previous eco experiences and research your next ecovacations.
One Green Earth
One green earth is an online eco directory, that has been running since October
2006. We offer green businesses a profile page with a link to their site,
in our directory for FREE. The Book of Green: One Green Earth
has teamed up with Allthingseco to create Book of Green - a paperback eco directory,
with a print run of 30,000 and an online flip page magazine version with clickable links.
Greenpeople.org
An online directory of eco-friendly businesses, organizations and events (since 1998).
Our motto is: "Buy Green, Sell Green, Be Green"
Greendirectory.net
Environmental Links, News, Courses & Jobs
Selva Bananito Ecolodge
Ecolodge in Costa Rica, One of the Top 10 Ecolodges in the World.
Organic Holidays UK
Offers a wide selection of places to choose from in their website directory.
EcoIQ Magazine
Online journal dedicated to the creation of a future that works, smart
choices aligning economics and ecology.
Eco Tropical Resorts
An Ecotourism directory of Eco Resorts and Eco Lodges in the Tropics. Find
the Eco Lodge or Eco Resort of your dreams on this ecotourism hotel lodging
directory. They are now starting a certification program called the Butterflies.
ethicalescape
For those who wish to travel lightly and to encourage others to do so.
The site includes country guides, travel advice, health advice & details
of ethical, ecologically sound holidays & eco-friendly holiday accommodation.
Green Vacation Hub
Linking travelers with accommodations that emphasize good health and green
practices, the Hub is at the center of sustainable travel.
Green Volunteers
Black Sheep Inn is proud to be listed in Green Volunteers, the World Guide
and Information Network to Voluntary Work in Nature Conservation.
Transitions Abroad
Created as the antidote to tourism, a magazine with the specific goal of providing
information that would enable travelers to actually meet the people of other countries,
to learn about their culture, to speak their language, and to "transition"
to a new level of understanding and appreciation for our fascinating world.
Great resources for work, study, travel or living abroad. Fantastic Magazine.
EcoFriendly Hotels Worldwide
RHS Mission pursues the triangular system of: Conservation - Education - Sustainable
Development (CESD) within the Hospitality and Tourism Industry Worldwide. La Mision
de RHS persigue el sistema triangular de: Conservacion - Educacion - Desarrollo
Sostenible (CESD) dentro de la Industria Hotelera y de Turismo en el mundo.
Sustainable Travel International
STI was founded in the year 2002 as a not-for-profit organization (501 c-3).
STI is the national body for eco-certification within the travel and tourism industry
of the United States. STI strives to attract a diverse membership including accommodation
and tour operators, tourism planners, resource managers, travelers, students and teachers,
tourism and environmental professionals, and local and regional tourism agencies and
associations. See their carbon offset programs.
ResponsibleTravel.com
Promotes holidays in over 100 countries ranging from B&B's in Scotland; to
walking holidays in Spain; beach resorts in the Caribbean; swimming with Humpback
Whales in Tonga or volunteering with street children in Ecuador. Our suppliers
vary from large corporations and international operators to indigenous communities and
local families who invite guests to stay with them.
Black Sheep Inn is a 2005 Responsible Travel Winner!
Southern Cross Permaculture Institute
Southern Cross Permaculture Institute Australia. Rick and Naomi Coleman
came to Black Sheep Inn in 1998 to teach a Permaculture Design Course
to 20 of our neighbor community farmers.
Eco Tour Victoria
This site lists all the Ecotour Specialists that operate in and around Victoria BC
and further afield on Vancouver Island.
Ecotourism Society of Pakistan
This may seem unusual because the great distance between Ecuador and Pakistan,
but they have excellent resources and links on their site.
EkoClub
Ekoclub in Bulgaria's mission is to support and conserve nature, to plant new trees,
to support the authenticity, the customs and the traditions of Bulgaria,
to promote sustainable tourism, to provide employment for the local people and
to grow as people.
