Skift. (Nov 26 2020) How The California Wildfires Are Impacting Tourism. Retrieved March 9, 2020, https://skift.com/2019/11/26/how-the-california-wildfires-are-impacting-tourism/

One of the largest environmental disasters that California has been forced to grapple with in the last few years, are the constant fires. These fires have destroyed millions of acres of california’s beautiful landscape, and this has had a profound impact on the general tourism industry. The article mostly refers to how these environmental events have messed with natural parks, the tourist favorite wine country, but mostly focuses on how these fires have destroyed the living spaces of the workers and volunteers needed to keep those tourist hot spots going. When the people who care for our national forests and other important tourist/eco-tourist hot spots aren’t able to live near their place of work, nothing gets done and tourists are turned away. 

This article provided some really interesting insight from not only the journalist’s perspective, but also included the point of view from governmental officials (our former state governor Jerry Brown) . It makes the rather simple point that tourism will continue to decline if the tourist locations continue to go up in flames, and if we don’t find housing solutions for the workers who are vital in the continued function of the ecotourism hotspots in california. I honestly would have never thought of the human aspect in the problem, so i’m really glad to have gained that perspective from this article. 

Clean Technica. ( Feb 25 2020) As California Forests Heat Up, Birds Are Flocking To Higher Ground. Retrieved March 9, 2020, https://cleantechnica.com/2020/02/25/as-california-forests-heat-up-birds-are-flocking-to-higher-ground/

Over the course of the last decade, the territory occupied by birds in california has slowly been shrinking. The steady rise in average temperatures has been met with an equal reaction from the birds, who are progressively receding more and more into higher altitudes. It was found that birds are choosing to spend more time in higher altitude areas simply because it’s colder. Now that the birds occupy less space, the places that most of them have left are starting to feel the impact that a lack of these important animals brings to the ecosystem. It will take a few years for the effect of the lower number of birds on the ecosystem to really be seen. For one, it’s already having an impact on the birding industry. The birding industry is a big part of California’s ecotourism industry, and now people are having to go further and higher up in the mountains in order to easily find species which once were common in lower altitudes. 

I like this article, because it shows the impact that a change in the environment itself can have on the industry dedicated to it. It combines together climate change with clear data to illustrate an issue for not only the birding industry, but the ecosystem itself and it explains the positive feedback cycle that will inevitably arise from this issue. The article was well written and it’s author really seemed to try to incorporate all the different aspects and impacts of this issue. In addition, the article makes a projection for the future of this issue. 

Politico. (Mar 6 2020) California braces for economic fallout as coronavirus spreads. Retrieved March 9, 2020, https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/03/06/california-braces-for-economic-fallout-as-coronavirus-spreads-1265879

While this article does not directly address ecotourism, it refers to the whole tourism industry in California at the moment, and how the Coronavirus may impact us if things get much worse. Governor Newsom halted a California bound cruise ship, full of passengers, because there were a few confirmed cases within them. In addition, there are currently movements to divert the funds that might normally go to environmental projects and the tourism industry, to the containment and control of the virus if it continues to propagate itself. There has already reportedly been a small reduction in the amount of tourists arriving in California, and if the situation continues to deteriorate Newsom says he may begin blocking more and more travel. 

Without tourists, the tourism industry dies. Regardless of whether it be ecotourism or the normal type. If the government decides to actually divert the funds intended for tourism and other governmental functions, towards the containment of this possible disease spread, then the tourism industry will be almost completely void of any support or income. It will be interesting to see whether or not this disease is nothing more than a phase, and if not, how the tourism industry will recover from such a possibly devastating blow. What comes to mind is whether or not the national parks or other natural landmarks in the US will close to the public for fear of the virus spreading. 

Davis Enterprise. (Feb 16 2020) California Duck Days 2020: It’s specquackular!. Retrieved March 9, 2020, https://www.davisenterprise.com/features/california-duck-days-2020-its-specquackular/

On Saturday February 22 in South Davis, from 9 am to 4 pm, a “California Duck Festival” took place. People from all around California got together, put on their boots, and started learning and celebrating our local wildlife. The festival offered: opportunities for Boy Scouts to earn some badges as well as some hands-on activities, field-trips, workshops, and of course food.  The only fee required was a $20 parking fee. The festival was able to appeal to all ages, the activities and learning opportunities ranged from Experienced birding to owl pellet dissection. 

This is a really good example of a local community, getting together and organizing an event that tipped the interest of many different groups, whether they were local or not. I like how they only made those who drove and parked there pay because it’s clearly a ploy to reduce CO2 emissions. These people got together for a good cause and did seemingly everything in their power to improve the knowledge of the general population, and create good memories and mental association of nature in younger kids. In addition, they brought live raptors for everyone to interact with, solidifying the connection between man and bird. 

SFIST. (Mar 9 2020) Over 200 Gray Whales Passed By Point Reyes Over the Weekend.

Retrieved March 9, 2020,https://sfist.com/2020/03/09/over-200-gray-whales-spotted/

Every year, Gray Whales make the long and arduous journey from Baja California to Alaska. Humpback Whales also make a similar journey, though their destinations are often slightly different. Every year, when the Whales make their way past the Californian coast an entire tourist industry comes to life. Whale watching tours, boat, and Kayak rentals increase exponentially at around this time. This year, there has been an impressive number of Whales recorded during their migration. This is welcome news after multiple whales have washed up on beaches, dead from malnutrition and ship contact. 

In my opinion, it’s very great news that so many Whales have passed through. There have clearly been some complications in the Whales environments, seen through how many have died in the last year from Malnutrition. This is a clear example of how a healthy environment goes hand in hand with a healthy local economy/ tourism industry. Without the Whales, many different businesses along the path of their migration would have to shut down. Whale watching is, in my opinion, a generally inoffensive form of tourism. They is rarely ever direct contact or interference between human and animal, and the experience is based on the appreciation and learning of these great animals. 

The Post Athens. (September 25, 2019) Baileys Trail is helping ecotourism in Southeast Ohio. Retrieved November 11, 2019, From, https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2019/09/baileys-trail-helping-ecotourism-ohio

In Ohio, the construction of the Baileys Trails, an 88-mile long trail, will provide a much-needed boost in travelers and ecotourists, stimulating the economy. Currently, Ohio is already a rather popular place for ecotourists, due to incredibly beautiful scenery and healthy ecosystems. The construction of the trails will only serve to continue and further this. The trails will likely be used primarily for biking, one of the most popular recreations in Southeast Ohio. In addition, it has been petitioned for local Colleges and students to participate in the planned and care of the project in order to further their learning in the industry.

I believe that the construction of these trails will offer up practically nothing but positives for both the people in Southeast Ohio and the environment. While it is true that the construction of this trail will inherently bring with it, more human presence in animals habitats and the construction of the trail will mean some minor flora and habitat destruction; ultimately the positives of the increasing environmental protection spending and the populations’ awareness and appreciation for nature and all its ailments outweigh these. All in all, the students will gain a deeper understanding about the subject they have chosen to study, the trails will bring in money for the locals, and the environment will be healthier and cleaner a win-win-win situ

The Garden Island.(September 10, 2019) Nonprofit Hawaii Ecotourism Association rebrands. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from, https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/09/10/hawaii-news/nonprofit-hawaii-ecotourism-association-rebrands/

It is impossible to mention ecotourism within the United Staes, without acknowledging Hawaii’s thriving eco-tourism business. The main nonprofit ecotouristic company on the islands has decided to rebrand. Rather than being called “The nonprofit organization Hawaii Ecotourism Association”, they have decided to call themselves “The Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii” The company feels as though this better represents their means and motivations for tourism in Hawaii, which is a thriving business. In the article Lauren Blickley, Program Manager with the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii explains the change by saying, “Whereas ecotourism is limited to nature-based tours or natural resources conservation, sustainable tourism considers communities and cultural conservation, environmental conservation, and economic development.”Hawaii’s incredible variety of flora and fauna, as well as its relative proximity to the mainland US, make it the ideal target for “sustainable tourism”.

This article recounts the aspect of ecotourism which can be easily forgotten, its a business, and businesses often rebrand or rename themselves as to appeal to a wider base of consumers and make a higher profit. This particular company is a nonprofit, and it has been one of the biggest advocators for ecotourism (or rather sustainable tourism) in Hawaii over the course of the last twenty years. While this article was rather short, it got to the point very clearly and managed to provide interesting information on the “sustainable tourism” industry in Hawaii.

FloridaMuseum.(October 29, 2019) A kaleidoscope of monarchs: Marveling at one of nature’s greatest journeys. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from, https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/marveling-at-monarchs/

When industries that once supported entire towns and communities go away, the local population is often left without and other means of income and the whole area delves into poverty. Ecotourism, however, has managed to assuage these negative impacts in many different areas, namely of which, towns along the migration path of the Monarch Butterfly. This article combines the first-hand experience of the author while within a monarch sanctuary (they describe it as a quasi-religious one) along with facts about dwindling monarch populations along with explanations. Florida has seen an 80% decline in the Monarch population in recent years, and the situation is not much better in California or Mexico. This serious decline in population does not spell out well for many of the ecotourism businesses who have based their livelihood off of the Monarch butterfly. It is for this reason that all most all of these businesses have invested heavily in the recovery and growth of the Monarchs

This article covers many different important facets of ecotourism namely, the ways in which the community is impacted, and the impact on the environment itself. To quite a few people in California, Florida, and near the Mexican border, the Monarch Butterfly is not just an insect but rather what puts food on their table. I like this article because it also delves into what it actually feels like to be surrounded by these insects, as well as gives a diverse explanation for why their species is in decline. I feel, however, that the author should have included more information about ecotourism’s impact on the local communities and people, rather than just saying that there is one. By doing so, the author leaves out a key human aspect of this story.

News 4 Jax. ( August 16, 2019) Visit Florida sets sights on ecotourism market.  Retrieved November 11, 2019, from, https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2019/08/16/visit-florida-sets-sights-on-ecotourism-market/

Florida receives an incredible amount of visitors every, in the six month period between January to June (2019) there were an estimated 68.9 million visitors. These astounding stats have prompted the Visit Florida group to look into more environmentally friendly forms of tourism (i.e Ecotourism). What will be instrumental in them rolling out new ecotourism programs will be volunteers. Volunteers are needed to do a lot of the work necessary to run and maintain these eco-friendly programs. Instead of focusing entirely on Disneyland and other big attractions in Florida, Visit Florida will now invest in ecotourism, which is great.

Florida is home to many different extremely popular amusement parks, such as Disneyland, Sea World (Ew), Universal Studios, and many more. With such a high visitor count, the impact on the environment is inherently massive. That’s why I’m glad to hear that Visit Florida is attempting to divert the attention from their beaches and parks to something a little cleaner and better for the environment. Not many different tourism bureaus are exploring the ecotourism industry and those who are don’t necessarily bring in quite as many visitors as Florida does. Every little step towards a cleaner tourism industry, is inherently a positive one.

The Post And Courier. (Nov 7, 2019) SC resort plan for remote islands may be OK under ecotourism rules, but some oppose the project. Retrieved November 11, 2019, from https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-resort-plan-for-remote-island-may-be-ok-under/article_1e6982a8-f445-11e9-bd8a-b3d0da5c57a6.html

In South Carolina, there is a conflict over whether the construction of an ecotourist hotel should be permitted. The project proposes the development of a 100 million dollar hotel made up of 50 guest units, units for the staff, and multiple accompanying facilities. Due to the fact it is, in fact, an island, if anyone were to be injured, they would have to be helicoptered out to the nearest hospital, and all visitors have to either arrive by boat or by helicopter. There is likely to be at any time, anywhere between 60-180 people on the island at any time. Currently, the locals are opposed to the project, but the government officials (who will undoubtedly receive some sort of money from the construction of the hotel) are in full support of it. Ultimately, the zoning board will have the final decision on whether the development will take place.

  The increased activity on the island will undoubtedly interrupt the lives of the local animals. I also do not believe that the hotel will be extremely profitable considering it is located in South Carolina, which is a far as I know not a big hot spot for tourism, whether it be eco touristic or not. It definitely isn’t a big economic hub. Based off of this, it seems that the construction of this hotel will only serve to disturb the environment and not bring in enough funds to counteract their impact or have a positive one