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In 2021, Costa Rica made headlines when it committed to increasing protection for the waters surrounding Cocos Island National Park. In reality, things are far more complicated.

The Shoals opened in May on the North Fork of Long Island, New York.

The natural landscapes we love to visit need our support. In celebration of Earth Day, here are ways to show our gratitude, whether we’re planning our next trip or helping from home.

The green city is expanding rapidly—go now to explore its gritty, evolving liminal spaces.

In a small coastal village, a group of Moroccan women have formed the first female artisanal fishing cooperative of its kind.

Whether you’re headed to Italy for octopus, Japan for sushi, or New Zealand for shellfish, here’s what you need to know about finding the good stuff.

When he sold his jewelry company in 2007, Canadian expat John Hardy and his wife reinvested much of the money into the Green School, an innovative K-12 school in Sibang Kaja, Bali. The curriculum is very experiential—the international and Balinese students learn everything from aquaculture to Balinese puppetry. Named greenest school of 2012 by the U.S. Green Building Council, the school is worth a visit if only to see the far-out architecture. Many of the complex buildings are constructed entirely of bamboo.

A beautiful drive through the mountainous west coast past the bayside city of Mayaguez opens up to windy roads lined with banana trees. Your destination is the coffee town of Maricao—a small, unassuming city that plays host to festivals, coffee tours, and aquaculture. Also the home to the hidden gem of Salto Curet waterfall. To get down to your starting point, a car with 4x4 is preferred but not always necessary (Going during the rainy season? Drive a truck or SUV). You’ll park in a vacant lot at the bottom of a hill and follow the trail over a river and up the mountain. You’ll eventually reach an abandoned ranger station; at that point you’ll turn left and trek up river. Just a short distance later is the isolated waterfall. Take a swim in the cool water, or hunt down the even smaller trail off to the left that takes you up the rocks to the higher and more roaring waterfall above. This is my most loved waterfall site. It’s secluded and never sees many guests at one time. Bring your camera and a waterproof bag, as it’s likely you will be caught in the rain. It is a rainforest, after all!

Why would a local visit a tourist attraction? Because Kualoa is a beautiful escape and a place to appreciate Hawaiian culture. Building sprees that began in the early 1900s spread across Hawaii with no concern for desecrating places of cultural significance or taro farmland, making it more remarkable that this land system running from the mountains to the sea, known as an ahupua’a, still exists. The Morgan family, descendants of Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, land-owner after King Kamehameha III, have diligently kept the integrity of the area intact while providing a financial base to preserve Kualoa’s 4000 acres on Oahu. Drive out to the ranch on your own or arrange a Waikiki pick-up, then take in a full or half-day of tours, a beach day, and dinner show. Kualoa Ranch has been a scene-stealer in many movies and a tour will drive you through some of the locations. If horseback riding is your thing, experienced wranglers can set you up on well-kept horses. While your gentle mount does all of the work, magnificent vistas will leave you breathless. For those preferring their horsepower with four tires, there are ATV rides or, a jungle expedition in a Pinzgauer up mountain trails stopping for a stunning view of Kane’ohe Bay, an 800-year-old fishpond and a tiny island called Mokoli’i. There are easy options like the garden tour and fishpond boat ride. Everyone will enjoy the authentic Hawaiian show featuring ancient dances about Kualoa while dining under the stars.

Norwegian salmon is sought after around the world and enjoyed by millions every day. Take the short trip to Toft to learn about the development of the fishing industry and see the technologies that help Mother Nature take a fish from an egg to the finished “product.” Modern feeding platforms and underwater cameras are part of the attractions at this working science center, where you can watch salmon feeding and try a sample of the famous fish before you leave.

Connect with Northern Australia‘s rich pearling industry at Paspaley, a dealer of fine pearls and jewelry that’s become an authority on the fragile pinctada maxima oyster and a leader in sustainable aquaculture practices. On top of environmental and social responsibility—the company donates to a number of Australian charities—Paspaley is committed above all to quality, turning only five percent of its South Sea pearl harvest into lustrous earrings, necklaces and rings. Some collections combine pearls with other Australian treasures including opals, too. The beautiful creations shoppers find today are the product of 80 years of craftsmanship.

The Island of O’ahu is home to most of the residents of the Hawaiian Islands. At under one million on an island that is just under 30 miles wide and 44 miles long, you might wonder where to get away to for a unique experience? We have some ideas that will inspire you, grow your appreciation for the land and the ocean, the Hawaiian culture, and perhaps motivate you to “kokua” or help by volunteering at one incredible Hawaiian place. Over on the windward side Paepae o He’eia offers an educational eco-program to pre-preschoolers up to kupuna (elders) teaching traditional Hawaiian food systems. Created and managed by natve Hawaiians( kanaka maoli), it’s not a commercial venture.Their main project is continuing the Hawaiian agricultural system via the He’eia Fishpond restoration and turning it into a viable food source, and an eco-cultural educational resource facility for the Hawaiian community and for educators. It is a visual delight taking one back centuries ago, which also touches the soul when you begin to understand this incredible place in Ko’olaupoko on Kaneohe Bay at He’eia. At harvest time they share the fish with all who volunteer and the local families; and they offer that nourishment to body and soul through the connection to traditional foods. It takes hard work, dedication and aloha. You must make reservations, and while you are at it see if they need your volunteer help. There is no better way to appreciate the Hawaiian culture than to be immersed in the real culture and meet " real” Hawaiians. This place is unparalleled for the opportunity to learn about Hawaii and Hawaiian values. https://wwwpaepaeoheeia.org No-doubt you have seen much of the valley at Kualoa Ranch as the background of various block-buster movies but if you visit Kualoa Private Nature Reserve and go on their “Taste of Kualoa Farm Tour” you will see so much more of this special O’ahu location. You’ll learn about one of the most well-preserved ancient Hawaiian fishing ponds which could be as old as 1000 years. Knowledgeable guides (mostly local residents) will explain the Hawaiian fishpond and it’s importance as part of the ahupua’a system to the Hawaiians. You’ll drive through tropical fruit and flower gardens, learn which plants were endemic, the history of plantation plants and canoe plants, and Kualoa’s take on modern agriculture and aquaculture. The land, wildlife, and bay views are exquisite here at Kualoa. https://www.kualoa.com You’ll have to get up before the fish do to get to the Honolulu Fish Auction Tour at the Honolulu Harbor Piers. It’s the only fresh tuna auction in the United States and only open to chefs and wholesalers but you can go on an informative tour with advance reservation (some restrictions). Learn about quality, bidding, safety and strict fisheries management rules. Find out how long the boats are at sea, how market price is determined, what a quality fish is, sustainability and why you should only buy fish from the USA. And even better buy only Hawaii Seafood to support this market and fishermen who “follow the rules”. If you are lucky John Kaneko, MS, DVM Program Manager, will be your guide. After you have developed an appreciation for the superb local fish, there is no better place to have that top grade Big-Eye Tuna or other fish of the day than Bali Steak and Seafood at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for dinner. This is high-end dining but be assured they get the absolute best fish and top cuts of beef for the restaurant. Reserve an ocean front table for sunset, sip your favorite cocktail and when your fish arrives, you will genuinely appreciate what it takes “behind the scenes” to get this quality fish from ocean to boat, to auction, to chef, and finally on to your plate. https://www.hawaii-seafood.org/auctiontour https://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com I encourage you to seek these special O’ahu places out and make reservations. Do some research to learn more and plan before you visit O’ahu to make your stay extraordinary.