Commercial and philanthropic opportunities for enhancing wildlife conservation through ecotourism

1. CaringCaring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritagesince 1970
for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970
Angus M Robinson, Adjunct Lecturer
School of Marketing, Tourism & Leisure
Commercial and philanthropic opportunities for
enhancing wildlife conservation through ecotourism
Friday 21 September, 2012
‘Planning & Development’ Lecture

2. Varied career background in a range of
industries, including in tourism, executive
roles at Taronga Zoo, Earth Exchange
Museum, and Mt Hotham Alpine Resort.
Chair, Geotourism Sub Committee, Geological
Society of Australia.
Board member, Foundation for National Parks
& Wildlife (FNPW.
Certified ecotourism operator.
Lecturer – Angus M Robinson

3. Summary of Lecture Points
Philanthropy Opportunities and Vision
Australian National Landscapes
Current Ecotourism related partnerships
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
A question of definitions and principles
Lecture Points

4. The National Estate includes national parks and
other lands reserved for public usage i.e.
‘protected areas’.
The term (‘National Estate’) was incorporated into
the Australian Heritage Commission Act and is used
to describe a collection of buildings and sites that
are worthy of preservation for a variety of reasons.
It covers natural environments as well as European
history and Aboriginal culture.
National Estate

5. Natural heritage is the legacy of natural objects
and intangible attributes encompassing the
countryside and natural environment, including
flora and fauna, scientifically known as
biodiversity, and geology, landforms and soil
landscapes i.e. geodiversity.
Understanding Natural Heritage

6. Boley, B.B. after Thompson, S. 2009
Indigenous
Tourism
Cuisine
Agritourism
Heritage
ECOTOURISM
Tourism
Cultural Sightseeing
Tourism
i.e. ‘experiential
tourism’
‘Geotourism’ incorporating
all types of ‘place-based’ tourism

7. Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development and The International
Ecotourism Society, 1990
Ecotourism – responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being
of local people, defined by a set of principles
Adventure tourism is nature tourism ‘on steroids’
Wildlife tourism involves travel to observe animals,
birds and fish in their native habitats.
Nature tourism – involves travel to unspolied places to
experience and enjoy nature
Recreation activities:
A Question of Definitions

8. Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
Respects local culture
Supports human rights and democratic movements,
AND
Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Involves travel to natural destinations
1.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

9. Involves Travel to Natural Destinations

10. Involves travel to natural destinations
Minimises impact
1.
2.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

11. Minimises Impact

12. Involves travel to natural destinations
Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
1.
2.
3.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

13. Builds Environmental Awareness

14. Involves travel to natural destinations
Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
1.
2.
3.
4.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

15. For every tour that is purchased, travellers will
help make a difference to the local community
and natural environment in North Borneo.
A portion of tour revenue is set aside to fund
various projects in Kudat, Kinabatangan and
Kundasang through a non-profit organisation,
Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies
Society.
A sister company, Sukau Rainforest Lodge also
contributes RM4.00 since 2000 for every
international guest who stays at the lodge.
Borneo Ecotours

16. Involves travel to natural destinations
Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
Respects local culture
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

17. Respecting Local Culture

18. Seven Principles of Ecotourism

19. Involves travel to natural destinations
Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
Respects local culture
Supports human rights and democratic movements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

20. Supports human rights
Yuraygir Coastal Walk

21. Minimises impact
Builds environmental awareness
Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
Respects local culture
Supports human rights and democratic movements
Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Involves travel to natural destinations
1.
Seven Principles of Ecotourism

22. 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.
Australian Definition of Ecotourism

23. Currently no specific focus on philanthropy and
funding of wildlife conservation research.
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).
Eco Certification Criteria

24. Source: Oxford Dictionary
a philanthropic institution; a charity.
the desire to promote the welfare of others,
expressed especially by the generous
donation of money to good causes.
Definition of Philanthropy

25. Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

26. Today the Foundation continues the tradition of growing
parks and caring for them and the species that inhabit
them.
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.
The Foundation

27. Foundation achievements

28. 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.
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.
Volunteering Land for Conservation

29. The FNPW funds threatened species recovery
programs. The FNPW has saved animals such
as the Lord Howe Island woodhen, Gould’s
Petrel and the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
from extinction.
Over its history the FNPW has added over
500,000 hectares to Australia’s national
reserve system, for the enjoyment of all.
1. Foundation Achievements

30. Finally, the FNPW involves the community in
the conservation of Australia's native plants and
animals through environmental education.
The Foundation protects our heritage icons as
sources of inspiration for future generations of
Australians and visitors from across the world.
Some examples of cultural heritage FNPW has
helped protect include the World Heritage Old
Great North Road, Kosciuszko Historic Huts,
Fort Denison, and Mungo.
2. Foundation Achievements

32. Pleistocene dune system
& ancient lake highlighting
50,000 years of continuous
human habitation
Willandra Lakes
World Heritage
Area and Mungo
National Park

34. To date the Foundation has saved four species
from extinction and funded projects to
research and conserve over 30 other
Australian plant and animal species.
Since its inception in 1970, the Foundation
has been funding scientifically based projects
for the benefit of Australian native species.
FNPW and Philanthropy

35. Over 40 Years of Caring

36. Foundation achievements

37. Foundation achievements

38. Foundation achievements

39. The Foundation continues to purchase
suitable land to add to and extend our
national reserves for future generations.
National Parks remain the core of our
protected land system.
Growing our parks is essential to safeguard
our natural heritage for future Australians.
Growing Our National Parks

40. Ecotourism & Protected Areas – Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Strategic Partnerships

41. Yuraygir Coastal Walk, NSW

42. Minimal impact, local benefits
Yuraygir Coastal Walk

43. ‘Follow the Coastal Emu’
Yuraygir Coastal Walk

44. Providing direct financial benefits for conservation
Yuraygir Coastal Walk

45. Respecting Local Culture
Yuraygir Coastal Walk

46. Strategic partnerships Accommodation providers
within Protected areas

47. Ecotourism & Wildlife Conservation – Eastern Quoll, Tasmania
Strategic Partnership Opportunities

48. To undertake these projects in the area in which the
ecotour is being undertaken.
Future:
To act ‘on call’ as an interested sponsor of threatened
species wildlife conservation projects which have 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.
Now:
Philanthropy Vision

49. Eastern Quoll Trapping, Tasmania

50. Eastern Quoll Monitoring

51. Eastern Quoll Pathology Testing

52. Eastern Quoll – A Bloodied Experience!

53. 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 and behaviour.
During organised expeditions, volunteers will get the
chance to work closely with koalas and be involved in
all aspects of the research.
Leisure Solutions® is a current year sponsor.
Koala Research Program for Volunteers
Earthwatch Great Otway NP, Victoria

54. The project seeks to explore the direct effect
of climate change on koalas by examining which
parts of the landscape and which tree species
koalas use, and what condition they are in
during a heat wave.
Koalas are dependent on selecting the right
tree in the right place at the right time.
Wildlife Conservation
Koala ‘Tree Choice’ Gunnedah, NSW

55. Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
University of Sydney School of Biological
Sciences & Veterinary School
Landcare NSW Inc
Gunnedah Research Centre
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Koala Tree Choice Participants

56. European farming settlements, Dorothy Mackellar, and
indigenous culture (Kamilaroi peoples etc.)
Macropods, koalas, profilic birdlife common – Koala
Capital of Australia!
Mixed dry land eucalypts and Pilliga Scrub varieties
e.g. Cypress Pine, Casuarinas etc.
Gunnedah Basin Permian Coal Measures and covered by
Triassic sediments and rich volcanic derived soils –
broad flood plains with class 1 to 5 soils.
Gunnedah Natural Heritage

57. Tracking Koalas

58. Koala in a Tree

59. Koala Wrangling

60. Koala Wrangling

61. Koala Examination

62. Koala Unwrangling

63. Koala Back in the Wild

64. Thanks A Lot!

65. Koala Scat Research!

68. Australia’s
National
Landscapes

69. Flinders Ranges National Landscape

70. Flinders Ranges National Landscape

71. The Cazneaux Tree - Flinders Ranges NP

72. This protocol has already seen the inclusion of a
geotrail project as an endorsed program of the
Experience Development Strategy (EDS) for the
Green Cauldron National Landscape.
The Geological Society of Australia and Parks
Australia have recently concluded a protocol to
enable the input of geoscience information into
National Landscapes programs.
National Landscape/GSA Protocol

73. Scenic Rim – Green Cauldron
National Landscape

75. The program supports sustainable tourism development
by connecting travelers to projects that improve the
environment, boost local incomes, and enhance the
destination for future visitors.
The fund opens the door for travelers to give back to
Ethiopia, ensuring their visits leave a positive impact.
The USAID-funded Ethiopia Sustainable Tourism Alliance,
with support from Sustainable Travel International, is
proud to introduce the Ethiopia Travelers Philanthropy
Fund.
Travelers Philanthropy - Ethiopa

76. There are two ways to give – directly to the responsible
non-profits that have been vetted through the fund or on
the Global Giving website. e.g. plant a tree in a village
or provide an energy saving stove to a family.
Travelers can donate to and visit local communities that
are working hard to protect their forests and rehabilitate
degraded land. Visitors can book a trip through one of
their partnering tour operators and request that the
itinerary includes a visit to one/both of the project sites.
Tour operators are including visits to conservation and
community development projects in their itineraries.
Travelers Philanthropy - Ethiopa

77. Field Research ‘experiential’ tourism - ‘ecotourists’.
http://www.ecotourism.org/voluntourism-guidelines
‘voluntourists’ e.g. Earthwatch, Conservation
Volunteers Australia, World Expeditions etc.
Sponsorship of vehicle leases.
Per unit donations for research costs e.g. pathology
tests, GPS collars.
Corporate sponsorship of part or full project costs.
Royalty payments from tour operators on prorata
basis.
Philanthropy Opportunities linked to Ecotourism

78. 22. DOI 10.1007/s10640-011-9515-5.
and Endangered Species in a National Park. Environmental and Resource Economics. 52: 1-
Source: Bednar-Friedl, B., Behrens, D.A. and Getzner, M. (2012) Optimal Dynamic Control of Visitors
species conservation measures, such as species restocking.
habitat conservation measures, i.e. expanding buffer zones
or creating quiet zones with the help of signposts, and
visitor control limiting visitors
Three types of measures were specifically highlighted by the
mathematical model:
The 'two-edged' effect of ecotourism, whereby visitors provide
revenues for costly conservation efforts, whilst at the same time
potentially affecting endangered species, can be managed to
ensure species' population levels are not affected.
Tauern National Park, Austria and the Endangered
Rock Partridge Case Study

79. The FNPW is one leading ‘not for profit’ NGO which can provide
a vehicle for ecotourism driven philanthropy.
In time, it is predicted that eco-certification will directly
embrace wildlife conservation support.
With an increasing level of promotion of ‘nature based’ tourism
into both established protected areas and National Landscapes,
more opportunities will arise.
Demonstrated opportunities are now readily available for
industry participation.
By definition, ecotourism requires a commitment by tour
operators and accommodation providers to contribute to
providing direct financial benefits for conservation.
Lecture Points Summary

81. Email
arobinson@fnpw.org.au
angus@leisuresolutions.com.au
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