A few weeks back, Manitoba held its first Ecotourism Conference. What was quite evident from the beginning, was that there were people there wanting (scratch that), needing advice on what to do, how to do it and what outcomes may come of it.
For many tourism definitions - please read:
From my observations, the majority of the people were looking for tangible ideas and advice as to how best to operate an ecotourism business. They were searching for answers and realistic real world examples.
What was asked near the end of the conference was to showcase best practices from the many regions that make up the Manitoba tourism industry. What I am proposing on this latest BLOG post, is an example from Costa Rica.
You may ask yourself, “How is this going to be relevant to Manitoba?”
Read what is written and assess what is and is not relevant to your situation. If anything, this will open your eyes to the possibility of tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development.
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Proyecto Campanario
Location:
Office – San Jose, Costa Rica
Biological Reserve - Peninsula de Osa, Costa Ri
View Proyecto Campanario in a larger map
The Campanario Biological Station lies in the Pacific lowland tropical rain forest of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica and stretches nearly 150 acres inland from the sea.
Mission:
Proyecto Campanario, a multifaceted conservation effort of its founders and supporters, is dedicated to preserving tropical eco-systems, both terrestrial and marine, through protecting a tract of tropical lowland rain forest and its coastal zones in Costa Rica, offering environmental education programs for national andinternational students of all ages, promoting tropical research and studies, and working with the local communities.
Programs:
Since Proyecto Campanario's creation in 1990, with the Campanario Biological Station as the central focus, different programs and activities have emerged to put the mission into action.
Proyecto Campanario is engaged in 10 different programs:
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Protection of a tract of tropical lowland rain forest and its coastal zones in Costa Rica, maintaining the eco-systems with a minimum of human impact.
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International tropical ecology courses and camps offered to university and secondary school student groups as the "intense field trip" to give first-hand experience in field studies in tropical eco-systems and in living off-the-grid.
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National environmental education programs for Costa Rican students to study their tropical forests through in-country exchange programs and sponsorship by local companies.
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Eco-tourism adventures for visitors looking for a vacation with an educational focus.
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Volunteer and internship programs exchanging part of room and board for work in the Station and/or in the San Jose office.
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Research and species inventories in terrestrial and marine eco-systems carried out by national and international investigators and Campanario volunteers.
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Local community involvement and service projects to support nearby schools, to offer short courses to the local community, to promote sustainable tourism, and to work with park officials.
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Regional involvement in development associations and other conservation NGOs to continue conservation efforts of the Osa Peninsula.
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National level involvement through the Costa Rican Network of Private Nature Reserves which supports and defends private conservation in Costa Rica and throughout the Central American Isthmus.
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Expansion of the Campanario Biological Station through acquiring nearby tracts of land under pressures of "development".
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What sticks out in my mind about Proyecto Campanario is the focus on improving the local community and the education that underlies their conservation efforts. The work that is carried out at the Field Station, directly affects the well being of the surrounding communities.
Take for instance the economics of it all, money that is brought in pays for:
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Staff both in the office and out in the field (Guides, Biologists, Field workers)
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Boat drivers to transport everyone to the field station from the access point at Sierpe
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Supplies bought in town (food and water)
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Supplies for the local school (pencils, paper, books)
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Land acquisition to increase the area of conservation
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Etc, Etc…
Compare this list to the programs being offered and initiatives that have been undertaken and you’ll start to see and realize that tourism done right, can mean so much more for the well-being of the community, environment and local economy.
So, what’s stopping us from doing something similar here in Manitoba?
Don’t believe me?
Try it out for yourself.
Want to learn more?
All you have to do is ask >>here<<