To truly know an island, see it as no other traveler has. In return, simply respect what you find. That's the beauty of sustainable travel and why we celebrate it in the 2009 ISLANDS Blue List. With the help of Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International, we honor 24 organizations in four categories. Find out much more by zooming in on this map and following the links below.

Green Resorts
As more resorts tout themselves as environmentally friendly, ISLANDS looked for those resorts around the world that employ locals, buy locally, support community projects and show support for local traditions, as well as minimizing their effect on the environment. We showcase our trip to Jungle Bay Resort & Spa on Dominica, as well as honor Deer Run Bed & Breakfast on Big Pine Key, Milia Mountain Retreat on Crete, Turtle Island Resort on Fiji, Paradise Bay Eco Escape on Australia's South Long Island, and Ibo Island Lodge on Mozambique. Read the full story.

Eco-Adventures
Many companies offer eco-tours, but not every company invests time, energy and money into keeping the places they tour environmentally healthy, supporting and working together with the people who live there, and integrating the local culture. We explore Hawaii with Hawaii Forest & Trail and also recognize Rinjani Trek on Indonesia's Lombok Island, Bush and Beyond's Heaphy Track Trip on New Zealand's South Island, Lindblad Expeditions on the Galapagos Islands, Cockpit Country Adventure Tours and Homestays on Jamaica, and Ireland Ecotours. Read the full story.

Community-Based Tourism
The locals themselves are the guides, showing visitors the village where they live, their daily activities and even their own homes. Profits go back to the community. It's a total immersion in the culture, food, livelihood and traditions of an island. We journey deep on Borneo to the Nanga Sumpa Iban Longhouse, and we also honor Rosalie Forest Eco- Lodge's Community Life Package, Koh Yao Noi Eco-Tourism Club in Thailand, Countrystyle Community Experience on Jamaica, Actuar's Chira Island Rural Escape and the JED Trip to Ceningan Island. Read the full story.

Voluntourism
Combining volunteer work with tourism creates voluntourism. It's a two-way bridge between you and an island's people and environment. Suddenly you're giving back, not just receiving, as you travel. We spend time with the Global Volunteers program on the Cook Islands' Rarotonga, and include on our list the Azafady Pioneer program on Madagascar, Volunteers for Peace on Haiti, Biosphere Expeditions on the Azores, Global Vision International on Moso Island, and Earthwatch Institute on Easter Island. Read the full story.