Ecotourism: summer vacations that support conservation

The realization that we should all try to live our lives with a greater sense of responsibility to Earth doesn’t just apply at home. It’s increasingly becoming a factor in how we plan our vacation and leisure time as well. Many conservationists are picking ways to give back to the earth rather than taking a leisurely vacation. This phenomenon is called ecotourism, and it’s fast gaining popularity not just because it’s the right thing to do but also because it offers insights into how we can best coexist with nature and all the animals that call our planet home. Ecotourism can take on many forms, from supporting local communities to communing with nature at national parks to volunteering some of your leisure time to help preserve wildlife. Here are some suggestions for how to make ecotourism part of your summer vacation plans:

Visit animals in their natural setting

One way to be a good ecotourist is to support wildlife conservation. This ecotourism adventure can be as easy as visiting areas (Green Travel: Your ultimate guide)  that preserve natural spaces where animals can roam free. This kind of trip can range from whale-watching expeditions to walkable bird-watching tours. A wildlife vacation can take you anywhere in the world or keep you close to home. Most excursions also allow you to make a contribution to help preserve these habitats for future generations of animals and visitors.

Volunteer

Every vacation has unscheduled days when you really aren’t sure what you are going to do. A great way to use some of this ecotourism time is to volunteer at a local shelter or park that helps animals that are in need. Injured or abandoned animals need care and feeding to regain their health. The people who support these animals every day often welcome help — even on a temporary basis — and there are many tasks that anyone can do without much experience or training.

Tour a national park

The National Parks Service was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. The mission was to preserve the country’s natural habitats so that future generations may enjoy them and learn from them. Today, national parks like Yellowstone offer ecotourists a chance to see bison grazing and eagles soaring, just as they have since the dawn of the country and even before. In addition, a national park vacation offers great family-friendly activities like hiking, horseback riding, and a variety of water sports.

Make any vacation an ecotourism vacation

Is ecotourism impossible if you aren’t visiting nature or don’t enjoy being around animals? Not at all. You can support ecotourism on any getaway trip by simply supporting sustainable practices, including:

1. Purchasing local goods and souvenirs

2. Choosing lodgings, restaurants and tours that follow sustainable practices

3. Avoid generating unnecessary waste

4. Respecting the places and people you are visiting

5. Recycling while on vacation

6. Taking public transportation whenever possible

Ecotourism is more than a fad or a buzz word. It’s a way of vacationing that supports and helps the planet as well as offering visitors new and exciting ways to reflect, relax and recharge. If you make your next vacation an ecotourism vacation you are sure to have an experience that you will remember and cherish for a long time to come.

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