Ecotourism

Continuing with the theme of conservation, and relating to last weeks posts about agri-tourism, today I wanted to talk about Ecotourism. With rapid deforestation, and the equally rapid loss of plant, animal, and marine life worldwide, it is more important than ever to step up preservation and conservation efforts. Some of the richest areas in biodiversity are under threat from pollution, climate change, and human interference. Trying to keep people away from these sites as much as possible may seem like the logical solution, but that will remain a losing battle. By responsibly allowing rain forests, coral reefs, mountain ranges, and tropical islands to become tourist destinations, we can not only protect these threatened habitats, but provide incentives to permanently preserve them.

*Conservation International Photo

As Sarah talked about in her blog on March 10, in 2008 the human race has officially become predominantly an urban people. For thousands of years the majority of people have lived in rural areas, growing food, living off the land. But no more. Megalopolises are springing up at an ever faster pace. To keep up with satisfying the needs of our mega cities, more and more of the Earth’s resources are being plundered. More and more trees are being cut down for timber; more and more forests are being cleared by property developers; more and more fish are being extracted to feed the world’s growing population. Quenching the thirst of our crowded planet comes at the expense of our most valuable habitats. Conservation International, a leading international NGO specializing in biodiversity preservation, estimates that one species goes extinct every twenty minutes.

Conservation International Photo

Ecotourism is one way to help preserve these habitats. Tourism is a massive industry will only grow in the future. The idea behind ecotourism is to encourage responsible travel, educate people on the value of our ecosystems, protect these ecosystems, and provide income for the local populations – and thereby creating incentives to preserve these ecosystems. Governments can prohibit deforestation all they want, but if the local population will earn more money by chopping down trees than they would by leaving them untouched, then laws will do nothing. Preaching about the environment to the poor who live in Brazil’s rain forest, for example, will do absolutely nothing unless they are provided with an alternative livelihood. Ecotourism can create these alternatives.

According to Conservation International, ecotourism has provided income, management, and care for more than 33,000 protected areas. They are actively creating opportunities for local populations and preserving areas across Africa, Central America, and South America. One such project is the Chalalán Ecolodge located in Bolivia’s Amazon Rain Forest. Logging and hunting was destroying parts of the rain forest there and the local populations wanted an alternative. With the help of Conservation International, they built an ecolodge, made out of local materials and owned by the local population. Tourists can visit the forest, and participate in activities like birdwatching, canoeing, hiking, swimming, and more. They receive about 1,000 tourists a year and it provides income to more than 70 local families. Logging and the destruction of the forest has not continued in this area.

In an effort to promote my latest experience in Ulaa, Chile, I wanted to talk about the Alerces. Located in the rainforests of Chile, the Alerces are trees that resemble sequoias. They are some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth, often over 5,000 years old. Historically, in Chile these trees were chopped down and used for wood, and because the wood was of high quality, it was often used to build houses. But, the Chilean government outlawed the cutting down the Alerces. Ulaa is located near these trees and it provides a unique opportunity to visit them.  For volunteers on the farm (read the post about volunteering in Ulaa), you can visit the Alerces by horseback, upon the completion of your volunteering experience. It is a day long horseback trip, with stunning views of the forest and the mountains that you ride through. Since these trees are often 5,000 years old, it is truly a virgin forest, having never been touched by man or even forest fire.  Preserving the Alerces is historically and environmentally important.  By attracting tourists to see and learn about the Alerces, Ulaa hopes to raise awareness for this cause. 
For those who are interested in conservation and biodiversity, you can find a wealth of information at www.conservation.org. For those who wish to volunteer on an organic farm, Ulaa is the place. Not only can you volunteer on an organic farm, but you can do so in the beauty of Chilean Patagonia AND you have the opportunity to travel, by horse, to visit some of the oldest trees on Earth.