Ecotourism ProjectEnvironmental Science 2014

What is Ecotourism? Environmentally responsible travel

to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for local peoples.

Travel Channel

Characteristics of Ecotourism Travel to natural destinations Minimizes impact Builds environmental awareness Provides financial benefits for local

people Respects local culture

Why Ecotourism? Provides benefits for local people Provides funding for conservation

projects Raises awareness of local issues Sustainable way to enjoy nature

What Businessess are Considered Ecotourism? Guided Nature Tours

Canoeing, Hiking, Bird watching Cultural Tours

Historical, archeological Farms (Agritourism)

Livestock, Herbs, Organic

Recently Proposed ProjectsTunisia Project

Your Ecotourism Project Create an Ecotourism Business

Identify a location where you would like to base your business

Come up with a slogan for your business Put your information into a:

PowerPoint Brochure Mock website Or another format of your choice!

Biodiversity Native Plants and Animals you may see

Rare or endangered species Invasive Species

Species you may see on this trip Species you may accidently here bring

with you Species you may accidently bring home

with you

Biodiversity What is the type of climate?

When should people come? How should they dress? What challenges might the weather

bring? What type of habitat will your project be

in?

Questions to Consider Is your project sustainable? Where will people stay? How will they get there? How will you travel within the area? What will you eat?

Organic, locally grown food? Find a native recipe that you might serve

What are some Pros and Cons to your project?

South Dakota Ecotourism Great Faces, Great Places

Things to Do Hire a local guide to take you fly fishing Take a backpacking trip into Custer State Park to view

the diverse animal and plant life Visit the Wounded Knee Massacre Site Attend a Powwow to learn more about Native American

Culture Participate in the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup Bike or hike along the George S. Mickelson trail

Biodiversity You May See on Your Trip Buffalo Elk Mule and WhiteTail

Deer Pheasants Raptors Bobcats

Mountain Goats and Big Horn Sheep

Cougar (tracks and Scat)

Biodiversity You May See on Your Trip Lodge pole Pine Limber Pine Black Hills Spruce Ponderosa Pine Pasque Flower Black Eyed Susan Eastern Red Columbine

Endangered Species Grey Wolf Black Footed Ferret Lynx Whooping Crane Little Blue Heron

Invasive Species Asian Carp Common Carp Zebra and Quagga Mussles Eurasian Milfoil

Food Visit the Custer Farmers’ Market

Eat locally grown beef, buffalo, deer, or pheasant

Eat locally grown, traditional Native American dishes