Wandering Educators know that it is important to constantly research, and glean information from a variety of sources. We've certainly tried to feature the best travel websites here on our site, and I've got another one for our readers! Earth.org is an incredible site that pulls information from fellow travelers  - in essence, we are writing our own travel guides, based on our own collective experiences!

I'm also impressed that Earth.org has a non-profit approach: At least 50% of their net earnings (after taxes) will go into environmental, social or cultural projects. They planted 237 trees in India - one for each country in the world. They went to a very small remote village in the Indian Himalayas as the first tourists - and took pictures of the inhabitants. Afterwards they framed the picture, gifted them back to the villagers and saw a vision of pure happiness. 

"Earth.org is available for public collaboration because we are impressed, stunned, inspired and blown away by the possibilities of collaboration in a Wiki. We believe the wiki is a new way for us all to work together to conserve and improve local travel knowledge." - Rob from Earth.org.

I was so happy to sit down and talk with Teresa Brandstetter from Earth.org, the open travel guide. We talked about reader participation, traveling responsibly, working remotely, and more. Here's what she had to say...

WE:  Please tell us about your site, Earth.org....

TB: Imagine a destination with free and trustworthy travel information. Imagine that all this information comes from YOU and your fellow travellers from all over the world. Now there is a destination for you to find travel information and share your knowledge: Earth.org (www.earth.org) is a newly launched, collaboratively written online travel guide with a non-profit-approach. With Earth.org, we are all able to write a travel guide, together.

WE: What was the genesis of Earth.org?

TB: We have always had one thought in our heads: Can we build a house if everyone brings one brick, contributing one little piece at a time?
Wikipedia is our ultimate inspiration - in two ways:

First – we think it is a beautiful idea to all work together to build this ‘house’. The collaborative act of editing articles is a perfect approach to accumulate knowledge into what is called a wiki.

Second - we want a project that gives back - selflessly for our lives and holistically for our beautiful planet earth. This is demonstrated by our non profit approach.

So how do we achieve this vision? Earth.org offers a collaborative travel guide with a non-profit approach, always acting in the best interests of the Earth.org travellers- This is our vision.

WE: How can Earth.org change the face of travel?

TB: It is actually very difficult for the average Internet user to find reliable and trustworthy travel information on the Internet. Earth.org's vision is to provide responsible travel information that everyone can trust!

Earth.org has an idea - if achieved, this idea could change the way you travel. This idea will provide a reliable guide written by travellers working in the interest of other travellers.  When you travel, you can trust the information from Earth.org to be reliable and in your best interest. This is a community effort - and we know the first step is the hardest. Our first users, our pioneers have nothing but an empty world and an idea. A very very warm welcome to our first users!

WE: How can readers participate in Earth.org?

TB: How it works: we write this travel guide all together!
You just add your favourite restaurant in your hometown or some info on your travelling experiences. You share your knowledge - and if we all do this a new way of travel can emerge. You suddenly have free and reliable travel information on the Internet, like you have now with Wikipedia for the world of encyclopaedia.

Earth.org is independent from business interests - and because of this it is a social experiment dependent on your engagement. Our only interest is you, the traveller, the sightseer, the explorer. Even if you are not travelling tell us about your hometown. If you join us and contribute our vision can happen! Currently you get Karma points for making high quality contributions to the travel guide which others can then build upon or help improve.

Earth.org - really anyone can help - that's the idea.

WE: Travelling responsibly is a critical venture - how do you suggest this happen?

TB: We are aware that some forms of tourism inevitably cause damage to communities and environments. However, we believe that it is possible to travel responsibly. Become more aware of how you travel, and what impact your travelling has on the environment! Choose sustainable alternatives for transport, lodging, shopping, and participate in the local community. We have a special category "Make a difference" where users can add their experience, and would like to give those small initiatives better exposure. This way Earth.org can become an important tool to raise the awareness.  Furthermore we believe that sustainable and responsible travel is an important tool for enrichment, development and exchange between cultures.

WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

TB: Earth.org is built from a 100% remote team. Remote work means: We have no physical office anymore - and it works very well. A French surfer from Bali is helping us as well as a young mother from Chennai, India. This way of organising work is new - and it is open for everyone.

It is very exciting for us to be able to work with experts from all over the world. Everyone can support Earth.org - from anywhere. This is absolutely the kind of work which fits with the Internet, as well as the experience of being a part of a great global, cultural exchange.

Whilst some of the team have met all their colleagues, others have met only a few – and others may have not met anyone they work with at all! Still, we are extremely happy with this set-up, it allows us to build our teams from experts in all fields, all over the world. So if you have a couple of spare hours per week, why not join our team too?!

Whoever works for Earth.org can work from anywhere, and be from any cultural or job background. The only thing required: A positive attitude.
Get involved! Become an Earth.org ambassador and represent your city on Earth.org!

Leave your footprints at www.earth.org

WE: Thanks so much, Teresa. I am so intrigued by your site, and happy to recommend it to our readers. I've already contributed!

For more information, please see:
http://www.earth.org