VIRGINIA CERTIFIED ECOTOUR GUIDE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM SHANNON ALEXANDER COASTAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGER, A- NPDC
ECOTOURISM Fastest growing tourism segment around the world, growing at 20-25% annually (Ceballos-Lascurain, 2012).
ECOTOURISM DEFINED: Responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people while providing a quality experience that connects the visitor to nature (Florida Ecotourism/Heritage Advisory Committee, 1997) Photo: S. Alexander; Chiang Mai Hillside Village Women selling their wares to tourist, fall 2010
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM The Virginia CZM Program has helped develop and fund several Ecotour Guide certification courses since 1992, with curriculum input from the Department of Conservation and Recreation s Devision of Natural Heritage and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The program continues to grow in collaboration with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, local coastal planners, community colleges, State Park interpreters, and private stakeholders.
GUIDE COMPETENCIES & TOPICS 1. First Aid/CPR Training 2. Trip Planning & Safety 3. Customer Service Training 4. Local Tourism Information Training 5. Marketing and Partnerships 6. Interpreting the Bay and its Culture 7. Local Ecosystems Science 8. Chesapeake Connections and the John Smith Trail 9. Exposure to High End Research Information
MODEL OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR FOR TOUR PROVIDERS FROM THE REPORT OF THE ECOTOURISM/HERITAGE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FLORIDA Provides a natural, cultural, or heritage experience Wildlife and natural habitats must not be disturbed needlessly Waste must be disposed of properly. Composting and recycling programs are to be implemented whenever possible Tourism should be a positive influence on local communities and provide local jobs that are not destructive to the environment Tourism should be managed and sustainable. Use adequate leadership and maintain small enough groups to ensure minimal impact on the resource Tourists should leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of nature, conservation, the environment and the area s history Develop a company policy to minimize impacts on environment and local culture and implement it! Photo: S. Alexander; Fort Lauderdale, FL
PREVENTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL & ACCUMULATED IMPACTS OF TOURISM FROM ECOTOURISM GUIDELINES FOR NATURE TOUR OPERATORS Goal: To help prepare travelers for each encounter with local cultures, native animals, and plants Goal: To minimize visitor impacts on the environment by offering literature, briefings, leading by example, and taking corrective actions Goal: To keep tourism sustainable by preventing impacts due to overuse Photo: S. Alexander, Kitty Hawk Woods, Sept 2011
WHY CERTIFICATION? Certification benefits everyone! Guides can attract more visitors if they are certified Visitors can feel satisfied that they are helping to promote conservation The environment is protected from overuse and harmful tour practices while still being enjoyed Ecotourism has many potential benefits and harms to the environment and the host community. Management of the ecotourism industry is necessary for ecotourism to remain sustainable more effective if it comes from within the local community. Certification provides an opportunity to educate potential ecotour guides, so that the environment will not be harmed through ignorance.
WHY CERTIFICATION? Click the image above to go to a YouTube video about the class.
VIRGINIA CERTIFIED GUIDES 2016 Certified Ecotour Guides David Lee, Cape Charles Boat & Tour Company, http://capecharlesboattours.com/, 888-595-7670 Tony Fleck, Town of Onancock Molly Broderson, Friends of the Dragon Run, https://www.dragonrun.org/ Janice Moore, Friends of the Dragon Run, https://www.dragonrun.org/ Katherine Carlton, Essex County Parks and Recreation, https://www.essexcountyrec.com/info/default.aspx Fred Birchett, Essex County Parks and Recreation, https://www.essexcountyrec.com/info/default.aspx
2018 COURSE PARTICIPANTS CERTIFICATION PENDING 2018 Recertifications Meriwether Payne, Locustville Meriwether Payne, Seaside Ecotours, Eastern Shore https://www.facebook.com/seasideecotours/ (757) 710-2454 Ray Davis, Captain s Around the Island Tours, Chincoteague; www.captaindanstours.com 757-894- 0103 MissAbby@CaptainDansTours.com Shannon Alexander, www.baycountrykayaking.com; 855-TO-KAYAK; shannnon@baycountrykayaking.com; Middle Peninsula, Eastern Shore, York County 2018 Course Participants Certification Pending Adalberto Rodriguez Chris Nacy, Big Papa SUP, Chincoteague; www.bigpapasup.com 757-694-8703 Dan Davis, Captain Dan Tours, Chincoteague David Denny, Eastern Shore Donald Ay, Eastern Shore Edwin Powers, Eastern Shore
2018 COURSE PARTICIPANTS CERTIFICATION PENDING Jennifer Elmer, Eastern Shore Paul Brabazon: Beach and Bays Tours, Eastern Shore; Beachandbay23410@gmail.com 757-710- 4077 Pat Brabazon: Beach and Bay Tours, Eastern Shore, VA Beachandbay23410@gmail.com Captain Tom Bunino, OnancockSailingAdventures.com; OnancockSailing@gmail.com; Eastern Shore Zachary Mallette, Eastern Shore Benjamin Wright, Assateague Island National Seashore Jackie Collins, www.baycountrykayaking.com; 855-TO-KAYAK; info@baycountrykayaking.com; Williamsburg and Middle Peninsula Jim Warwick, Chesapeake Bay Paddling Company, Mathews County Lori Erwin, Paddle On of Williamsburg; www.paddleonwmbg.com; paddleonwmbg@outlook.com
~THANK YOU!~ SHANNON ALEXANDER COASTAL RESOURCES PROGRAM MANAGER ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION SALEXANDER@A-NPDC.ORG 757-787-2936 EXT.115