Culture
Tours hosted by those who have lived close to the land for generations strengthens local cultures. Ontario's Cree Village Ecolodge, for example, incorporates traditional aboriginal design with innovative green architecture.
Economy
Ecotourism promotes locally owned and run businesses that bring money into isolated rural communities, encouraging sustainable livelihoods. In the Clayoquot Biosphere region, lodges have replaced logging as the communities' top employers.
Protection
The economic success of ecotourism encourages further protection. As the trend grows, Canada has been preserving more land. In 2007, it set aside 25 million acres toward a new national park and wildlife area in the Northwest Territories.
Pollution
Using local transportation and consuming local foods, instead of renting a car and eating truck-delivered fast food, decreases pollution and cuts the carbon footprint of your travels.
Education
Ecotourism integrates interpretation of the land into its tours so visitors leave thinking about their impact on natural places even after they have left.
Article Written By Kelly Aspen
Kelly Aspen's writing focuses on natural places, cultural sites and wildlife. She has nine years of experience as an editor and writer for magazines, books and websites, including Trails.com, Travels.com and Weekendnotes.com. She attended Vassar College and now lives in the mountains of Colorado.
