Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop Thursday 17th May, 2012 Commercial and philanthropic opportunities for enhancing wildlife conservation through Ecotourism Angus M Robinson & Susanna Bradshaw
Agenda A Question of Definitions and Principles Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Current Ecotourism related partnerships Philanthropy Opportunities and Vision Takeaways
Geotourism Incorporating all types of place based tourism Geotourism i.e. experiential tourism Cultural Sightseeing Tourism Cuisine Heritage Tourism NATURE BASED TOURISM Agritourism Indigenous Tourism Boley, B.B. after Thompson, S. 2009
A Question of Definitions Nature Based activities: Nature tourism involves travel to unspoiled places to experience and enjoy nature. Adventure tourism is nature tourism on steroids Wildlife tourism involves travel to observe animals, birds and fish in their native habitats. Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment & improves the well-being of local people, defined by a set of principles.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism 1. 2. 3. 4. Involves travel to natural destinations Minimises impact Builds environmental awareness Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people 5. Respects local culture 6. Supports human rights and democratic movements 7. Provides direct financial benefits for conservation Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Australian Definition of Ecotourism Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. Ecotourism Australia believes that the ultimate definition of ecotourism is compliance with the core criteria stated within the Eco Certification Program.
Eco Certification Criteria In Australia, ECO Certification has three levels of achievement which have been developed to accommodate for a range of businesses and, their level of commitment to sustainability, dedication/applicability to social and cultural responsibilities, and the level of interpretation and education involved in the product(s). Currently no specific focus on philanthropy/funding of wildlife conservation research.
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife When then Premier of NSW, the Hon Tom Lewis MP, first established the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, he had a vision of establishing a complementary organisation, constituted mainly from the corporate sector, to acquire parks for the Service. Hence the birth of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in 1970. Today the Foundation continues the tradition of growing parks and caring for them and the species that inhabit them.
Volunteering Land for Conservation The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is the only organisation in Australia whose philanthropy is an investment in our public estate, for all to enjoy. There are tax incentives for landholders donating land but the real value is the growth of our national parks and the protection given to our plants and animals cared for under their management.
Growing Our National Parks Growing our parks is essential to safeguard our natural heritage for future Australians. National Parks remain the core of our protected land system. The Foundation continues to purchase suitable land to add to extend our national reserves for future generations.
Foundation achievements
The Foundation & Philanthropy Since its inception in 1970, the Foundation has been funding scientifically based projects for the benefit of Australian native species. To date the Foundation has saved four species from extinction and funded projects to research & conserve over 30 other Australian plant and animal species.
Over 40 Years of Caring
Foundation achievements
Foundation achievements
Foundation achievements
Foundation Partnerships Funding wildlife research conservation projects Biodiversity, geodiversity, cultural or heritage focus Includes environmental interpretation projects Targeted to make the difference!
Yuraygir Coastal Walk Minimal impact, local benefits
Yuraygir Coastal Walk Follow the coastal emu
Yuraygir Coastal Walk Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
Strategic Partnerships Accommodation Providers within Protected Areas
Strategic Partnership Opportunities Ecotourism and Threatened Species
Eastern Quoll Trapping,Tasmania
Eastern Quoll Monitoring
Eastern Quoll Pathology Testing
Eastern Quoll: A Bloodied Experience!
Tracking Koalas
Koala Wrangling
Project Ambassador - Koala Examination
Koala Unwrangling
Thanks A Lot Mister!
Koala Scat Research!
Project Expeditions Providing supporters with hands on experience Foundation volunteer Project Ambassadors undertake field trips to experience, first hand, the work of the scientists and researchers they are supporting. The Foundation is looking to extend this opportunity to project sponsorship in partnership with Earthwatch who run similar expeditions. http:// www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/
Earthwatch Great Otway NP Koala Research Program for Volunteers Help scientists study the response of koalas to climate change to conserve their habitats and population. Traverse the Great Otway NP while conducting valuable research on koala habitats to understand the impact of climate change on population & behaviour. During organised expeditions, volunteers will get the chance to work closely with koalas and be involved in all aspects of the research.
Scenic Rim Green Cauldron National Landscape
Philanthropy Opportunities linked to Ecotourism Royalty payments from tour operators Corporate sponsorship of part or full project costs Per unit donations for research costs e.g. pathology tests, GPS collars Sponsorship of vehicle leases voluntourists e.g. Earthwatch, Conservation Volunteers Australia, World Expeditions etc http://www.ecotourism.org/voluntourism Field Research experiential tourism
Philanthropy Vision Now: To act on call as an interested sponsor of threatened species wildlife conservation projects which have (preferably) as their principal objective, the maintenance and/or regeneration of wildlife habitat. These projects can be located either within national parks or within public or private lands in any location in Australia. Future: To undertake these projects in the area in which the ecotour is being undertaken.
Take Aways Ecotourism requires a commitment by tour operators and accommodation providers to contribute to providing direct financial benefits for conservation. Demonstrated opportunities are now readily available for industry participation. With an increasing level of promotion of nature based tourism into both established protected areas and National Landscapes, more opportunities will arise. In time, it is predicted that eco-certification will directly embrace wildlife conservation support. The Foundation is a leading NGO providing a vehicle for ecotourism driven philanthropy.
For more Information about the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife Visit our website www.fnpw.org.au and sign up for our newsletter! Become our friend on Facebook www.facebook.com/fnpw.1970 www.facebook.com/backyardbuddies Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/fnpw Call us (02) 9221 1949 Email arobinson@fnpw.org.au and sbradshaw@fnpw.org.au