Cycling Ecotour for Youth - Ontario and Canada

Here's an enriching sustainable travel and group living & learning experience for adults 19-30 organized by non-profit group based in Ottawa, Otesha. They have organized for 2010 (March deadline for participant registration) some inspiring partnerships with organic farms and cycling routes both here in Ontario and across Canada. I've worked with a few alumni and past communities touched by the project in the ecotourism and education fields and found that they gained significantly from the volunteer experience.
~ Kara Mitchell of tOES

In Search of Change-Making Cycling Volunteers What is The Otesha Project? The Otesha Project is a Canadian non-profit organization. We organize bicycle tours which engage with communities through theatre, aiming to mobilize youth to make change in their communities, and the world. We believe that we can create a more sustainable future by building community, making conscious lifestyle choices, reducing consumption and having a really good time all the while. We'd like you to join us as a Tour Member on a challenging journey towards sustainability. The Vision The Otesha Project's vision is to see sustainable consumption and lifestyle choices enter the mainstream of Canadian culture. What does it mean to be a Tour Member? As a tour member you'll answer tough questions about how you want to live and through collaboration with other amazing, hopeful, energetic young people (your teammates!) you'll build a mobile sustainable community. Before you know it, your bicycle will become a vehicle of change. Ingredients include: leadership training, phenomenal bike touring, and a hilarious play that opens the conversation about environmental sustainability and social justice issues with thousands of Canadians. Visit our infopack for more info, including 'a day in the life of a tour member', and fundraising details. What tours could you go on? ...check them out, below. Tours of 2010 In 2010 the Otesha Project is offering three of the craziest cycling and performing tours it has cooked up since it started in 2003. The details are below - and frequently asked questions answered on our faq's page. If you apply before February 15th you will receive two books to go towards your fundraising efforts. Applications close on March 15th, 2010. You can apply online!

Ferocious Farm Tour Ottawa to Toronto and Back! May 3 - June 25 or Aug 28 (2-4 months) This tour will focus its performance route on farming based communities, providing an opportunity to connect to & understand the food landscape of Ontario. Tour members can extend their experience by working on small scale and/or organic Ontario farm for the months of July and August. Learning extravaganza! To learn more, go to FAQs. Coast to Capital Vancouver to Ottawa June 25 to Oct 20 (4 months) Ride through the Rockies, across the Prairies and skirt down the edge of the Great Lakes, ending up in our nation's capital. Watch the landscape change as you ride with the seasons, starting in the summer and rolling to a close as the leaves drop. Epic adventure! Physically Challenging! Highlands and Islands Fredericton to Halifax Sept 7 to Nov 2 (2 months) Ride with the tides, dance with the Scots and pull some red mud potatoes while you're at it! This route starts in New Brunswick and tours to each breathtaking corner of Prince Edward Island. Finally, it crosses the hills of Nova Scotia ending up in Halifax. Lots of Performing!

Ready to walk your talk? Apply. Or email us with questions at info@otesha.ca, follow us on Twitter, & add us on Facebook! To hear more from us, sign up to receive our monthly e-journal here. Peace & Bicycle Grease, The Otesha Project

How to list green travel experiences you offer in Ontario on Ontario Tourism Websites

Hey there green travel and ecotourism operators offering eco travel experiences in Ontario

If you haven't already taken advantage of free online listings available with Ontario Tourism, check out the how-to-page and / or learn more about marketing opportunities available with the OTMPC (Ontario Tourism and Marketing Partnership Corporation) at www.tourismpartners.com (deadlines for 2010 print advertising are listed here too)

For outdoor experiences you offer in Ontario, they have another website, www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor on which you can receive up to 6 listings / eco tour package descriptions. To do so, contact Heather Bot (heatherbot "at" vianet.ca) & she'll send a form.

Based in Northern Ontario? stay tuned for more info on being represented in a new marketing site being built to represent the north and how eco travel experiences you offer there will be represented. If you're intersted in helping tOES provide ecotourism specific content for that site, email us at getinvolved "at" toes.ca .

See tOES members listings to find leaders in green travel experiences in canada, the best eco tourism experiences our lands, waters and people have to offer.

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership CorporationMarketing Information Sessions

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership CorporationMarketing Information Sessions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OTMPC is offering a series of workshops across Ontario to informtourism stakeholdersabout their programs and how to align with their tourism marketing.All sessions are free and include lunch. Register directly with OTMPCby emailingevents@ontario.ca Learn about the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation(OTMPC) marketingplans for the coming year and how you can get involved in OTMPCprograms, partnershipopportunities, and leveraging of the Ontario brand.Interact with the OTMPC's in-house marketing, partnership, Ontariotravel information,and Ministry of Tourism staff.Register now [mailto:events@ontario.ca] for an engaging discussion onthese and other topics to learn how you can align your activities with OTMPC.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Stratford -DATE: Wednesday, November 18, 2009TIME: 10:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Stratford Old City Hall AuditoriumMain Floor, Old City Hall1 Wellington Street, Stratford, ON N5A 6W1RSVP by Monday, November 16:

Kingston -DATE: Tuesday, November 24, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Old Fort Henry , Dining Room1 Fort Henry Drive, Back (East) Gate entranceRSVP by Monday, November 23:

Cobourg -DATE: Wednesday, November 25, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Northumberland Heights, Birch Room795 Northumberland Heights Road, Cobourg, ON K9A 4J8RSVP by November 18:

Burlington -DATE: Thursday, November 26, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Royal Botanical Gardens, Café Annex680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4RSVP by November 23:

Vaughan -DATE: Tuesday, December 1, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Holiday Inn Express, 6100 Highway 7Vaughan West II RoomVaughan, ON L4H 0R2RSVP by November 25:

Gravenhurst -DATE: Wednesday, December 2, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre, Ditchburn Room275 Steamship Bay RoadGravenhurst, ON P1P 1Z0RSVP by November 30:

Collingwood -DATE: Thursday, December 3, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Blue Mountain Village Conference CentreNippising Room242 Jozo Weider Blvd.Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 3Z2RSVP by November 30:

Windsor -DATE: Friday, December 11, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Holiday Inn Select Windsor1855 Huron Church RoadWindsor, ON N9C 2L6RSVP by December 4:

Cornwall -DATE: Tuesday, December 15, 2009TIME: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (lunch is provided)LOCATION: Ramada Hotel & Conference CentreAdirondack Room, 805 Brookdale AvenueCornwall, ON K6J 4P3RSVP by December 4:

Environmental Tourism starts with you.

How can you make a difference you ask? You can start be asking when you call to book a hotel room whether they have a recycling program. You can take that further by asking if they have an environmental program before you make a reservation.
Small steps. You may find that some hotels do not have such a program. But I invite you to consider what would happen if hotels, inns, B&B’s, resorts got these sorts of questions from 85% of the people who called to book a room.
These businesses would know that it was on the minds of their clients and would be far more likely to take action.
Small steps lead to giant leaps. Take that small step next time you travel.

Career Opportunity for an Outdoor Educator/Coordinator

Position Task: Coordinate the delivery of outdoor, environmental and experiential education programs at Haliburton Forest.

Responsibilities:

• development and planning of programs for client groups;
• promoting and marketing of programs and activities;
• administration of group bookings;
• scheduling of delivery staff and groups;
• coordination of special events;
• ensure a safe environment for clients;
• facilitate, teach and lead group activities and programs as needed;

Selection Criteria:

• creative, energetic and able to participate fully in active programs;
• well developed communication, presentation and administrative skills to effectively market and support Haliburton Forest's programs and services;
• a broad base of experience teaching and leading outdoor and group focused activities;
• demonstrated supervisory experience;
• ability to provide quality customer service working with groups, general public and Haliburton Forest staff;
• ability to work independently in a dynamic environment;

Qualifications:

• completed an undergraduate University Degree or College diploma with related field experience;
• current first aid and CPR certificates;
• computer literacy-Microsoft office
• Second language is an asset.

Please send letter and resume to:

Human Resources

Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd.

1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburton, Ontario, K0M 1S0

Email: hr@haliburtonforest.com

www.haliburtonforest.com

Closing Date: September 25, 2009

Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd. The "Forest" or "Wildlife" as it is known locally, represents the largest private land holding in Central Ontario. Over 60,000 acres of forests, lakes, streams and wildlife form the back drop for this world renowned property. Operating as a multi-use facility, the Forest has gained international recognition for its resource management policies and practices. With the natural beauty of the forests and lakes set to last in perpetuity, Haliburton Forest has created a wide range of attractions and activities permitting visitors to enjoy this unique wilderness. Entwined throughout the operation is an extensive and very unique outdoor, environmental and experiential education program.

Haliburton Forest is dedicated to provide quality education programs to both youth and adults in a variety of settings.

Dining with the Stars

The Nolalu Eco Centre's last workshop for this year is coming up soon: on september 26th they will be offering the opportunity to be "Dining with the Stars". As one of their more popular workshops sells out fast, and no wonder: it includes a brief house tour of North Ontario's Eco-friendliest house, after which astronomer Randy McAllister will take us through deep space, using high-definition slides and videos projected on a big screen. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

This is followed by an informal dinner & dessert, and an opportunity to chat with Randy and fellow workshop participants.

After dinner participants visit the Thunder Bay observatory, North America's second-largest privately owned observatory. Participants will see and experience first hand the housing and equipment involved with astronomy and photographing deep space objects. Depending on the sky conditions they'll also have the opportunity to do some serious star gazing.

For more information please visit http://www.nolaluecocentre.org or email info@nolaluecocentre.org

nolaluecocentre.blogspot.com

TIES Travel Green Guide 2009

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) has just released their Travel Green Guide 2009. It can be viewed online and is also available for download. This guide is now available for free. Ecotourism operators can now join TIES as a professional level member and be listed in the guide as a prefered Travel Green choice. You can also learn more about the guide and spread the word...with an option to embed the Guide in your blog, send to your facebook friends,or share through your website.

For more information on the Travel Green Guide 2009 go to www.ecotourism.org/TravelGreenGuide

Northern Ontario Eco-Heroes Announced!

The Nolalu Eco Centre was pleased to announce the winners for North Ontario's first Eco Hero Contest. The contest received nominations from all across Northern Ontario for a large variety of environmental initiatives. The contest, in its first year of running, receiving a wide range of media impressions and many nominations were sent in. Three winners have been selected. You can find out more about the Eco Hero Contest and about this years winners by visiting http://www.nolaluecocentre.org or checking out the Nolalu Eco Centre blog at http://nolaluecocentre.blogspot.com

9th Annual Lakeland Conference

The 9th Annual Lakeland Conference will be taking place Saturday, September 19th. The conference will be held this year at the Fleming College Haliburton Campus from 8:30-3:30 pm. Fees for the conference are $20.00 per individual and $35.00 per couple. This fee includes coffee and lunch.

The conference is an opportunity for shoreline property owners to come together to learn about the common environmental issues facing their lakes with local experts and exhibitors specializing in relevant services and information. This year will take a closer look at:

-stewardship efforts of lake communities

-lake algal blooms

-pruning shoreline trees for optimum views

-the successes of community-based fish hatcheries

-forensic meteorology

and more...

Pre-registration for the conference is required. For more information about the conference or to register please visit: http://www.lakeland.greenup.on.ca/events.html

Hunt for Travel Industry's Best Social-Media-As-Marketing Efforts

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is looking for your help in finding some of the examples of social media used to market Canadian tourism experiences. This includes blogs, video, ebsites, twitter, facebook, bebo...and more. They aim to highlight great examples of using social media for marketing in the travel industry, and how it can brilliantly capture the essence of Canada's tourism brand, "Canada. Keep exploring".

You can check our some examples by visiting http://mediacentre.canada.travel/content/ctc_news/real-banff-social-media or you can send your suggestions to the CTC by emailing ctnews@ctc-cct.ca

Harvesting the Wind in Northern Ontario

The Nolalu Eco Centre will be organizing anothe workshop unique for Northern Ontario: Harvesting the Wind. Wind power is the most established and most cost-effective way to generate power, and this workshop will show you why and how.

Learn About Wind Power

Noticed we've been getting more wind? The Nolalu Eco Centre will be hosting a Wind Workshop for those who have always wanted to learn more about generating their own wind power. Wind is a renewable energy alternative that might be a possible option for your property.

The Wind Workshop will cover how wind power works and what it can do for us. We'll have a look at Nolalu Eco Centre's own 100 ft tall 1.3 Kw wind tower and the different components that are involved. You'll also learn about selling power back into the grid and what that all means.

The workshop will be held Saturday August 15 from 10:00 am till aprox. 4:00 p.m at Nolalu Eco Centre.

Admission is $85.00 and includes lunch, refreshments and snacks. Discounts for groups of 2 and up.

For more information visit the Eco Centre's website at www.NolaluEcoCentre.org, or contact the centre at info@NolaluEcoCentre.org or call (807) 474-3968

Our Forests-See The Future!

Sudbury Forest Management Planning (FMP) for the next 10 years is currently underway. The Sudbury Forest Local Citizen's Committee invites you to attend an Open House in July.

Forests are many things to many people, a place to work and a place to play. The open houses show where logging is expected to occur between 2010 and 2020. New roads are an important part of the FMP. You can see where they are proposed. Public comments are encouraged at this time.

Open House Dates:

• July 14, 3 pm to 8 pm and July 15, 9 am to 1 pm at the Howard Johnson Hotel 50 Brady St. Sudbury, On
• St. Charles, July 16, 3 to 8 pm, St. Charles Community Centre.

You will have the opportunity to review and comment on:

• proposed areas identified for harvest, renewal and tending operations;
• proposed road locations and conditions for the first five-year term;
• preferred areas of operations for the second five-year terms;
• proposed corridors for new primary and branch roads for the ten-year term;
• a proposal to amend specific management direction for Sturgeon River Provincial Park in the 2007 Temagami Area Park Management Plan

for more information visit www.sudburyforest.com

Lecture Series: Ecotourism and the G8

The Muskoka Watershed Council and the Muskoka Heritage Foundation are holding a lecture series on issues important to watershed health. The fourth lecture, entitled Ecotourism and the G8, is scheduled for Thursday June 18 at 7 pm at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville. The lecture will provide an overview of environmental actions undertaken by G8 leaders in the past, spotlight work done on ecotourism around the world and how we can apply that knowledge to Muskoka/Haliburton.

There will be three speakers and an opportunity to ask questions. The speakers include Ella Kokotsis who is the Director of Research for the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto; Paul Eagles, professor in ecotourism at the University of Waterloo; and Robin Tapley, a local ecotourism operator.

Ecotourism in the Land Between

The Ontario Ecotourism Society was excited to participate in the 3rd Annual Research Forum for the Land Between. The forum was held Friday, June 12, 2009 in Buckhorn Ontario and featured presenters on a wide range of topics. A presentation was made by tOES President Valerie Bishop offering background on ecotourism philosophy and practice. The presentation also showcased our members currently operating in the Land Between including: White Squall, Eskakwa Eco Lodge, Gaia Centre, Gamiing Centre and Yours Outdoors.

The Land Between is a transition zone between the Canadian Shield and the St. Lawrence Lowlands. It skirts the Algonquin Dome stretching from Georgian Bay to the Frontenac Arch. This region has more shoreline than anywhere else in Ontario. Many of its habitats and species are only found here. It is a place of unique culture and history.

To learn more about the Land Between and the annual research forum please visit: www.thelandbetween.ca

Paddling with White Squall Summer 2009

White squall is coming to town this summer! Join us as we tour Parry Sound Harbour and parts of the Big Sound, Georgian Bay in stable touring tandem kayaks. These two and half hour afternoon & evening tours are perfect for folks who have never paddled before and want to get their feet wet in the Bay's cool crystal waters. Tours depart and return from Sail Parry Sound Dock.

Harbour Hopper Kayak Tour (no experience needed)

2-4:30 pm every Tuesday afternoon-July7, 14,21,28, Aug. 4,11,18,25- Cost $45

A fun tour of Parry Sound Harbour in tandem kayaks with our trained and knowledgeable guides.

Full Moon Paddle (no experience needed)

7-9:30 pm on June 6, July 4, August 5 Cost: $45

Wander with us out from Parry Sound Harbour in tandems and paddle back with a full moon!

Women on the Water (No experience needed)

7-9:30 pm on June 21 Cost: $45

Celebrate the longest day with us in a quiet evening paddle (we'll use tandems) in Parry Sound.

Free Fun Trials! Come on out to:

Squall Goes to Town-Free Test Paddle Nights in Parry Sound

When: 6:30-8 pm Tuesday nights-July 7,14,21,28-August 4,11,18,25 Free!

Green Communities News

Eco-Activities:  Peterborough Green-Up's Green Home and Garden Tour features homeowners who have switched to renewable sources of energy or gone pesticide-free.  June 6th.  

Windfall Festival:  Windfall Ecllogy Centre's 8th annual Ecology Festival presents live music, local foods, buskers, Kids Fun Zone, workshops and more.  Newmarket, 13-14 June.

Summer and Suds:  Environment Network's Explorations Green Summer Day Camp follows the philosophy of Earth Education: hands-on environmental learning and dynamic outdoor activities.  June 29th- August 28th.  

Green Roofs By Law:  City of Toronto new green roof by-law sets a green roof construction standard and a mandatory requirement for green roofs on all classes of new buildings.  It also requires up to 50% green roof coverage on multi-unit residential dwellings, schools, non-prfit housing, commer and industrial buildings.

Changing Habits:  EcoSuperior encourages people to walk to work on Wednesday, bring a cold lunch on Thursday, and enjoy dinner on Friay in natural light.  

Who's the Boss?  TD Friends of the Environment Foundation's CEO Poll reveals that 52% of women are chief Environmental Officer of their household compared to 36% of men.  Children are the number one influence on environmental behaviour-with more than one in four respondents acknowledging that their children influenced them to be more environmentally responsible.  Top three green activities:  recycling (91%), reducing the home's energy consumption (84%) and encouraging waste reduction (82%).

Film Festival:  Onghiara Environmental film festival presents environmental films-including One Man, One Cow, One Planet-international guest speakers and panel discussion celebrating sustainability, stewardship and solutions.  Niagara area, 5-6 & 13 June

9th Annual Lakeland Conference Announced!

The date and location of the 9th annual Lakeland conference has bee announced! The conference will be held from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday, September 19th at Sir Sandford Fleming College (Haliburton Campus). The organizing committee is currently working on the agenda and our theme for this year is:

"Take Action for the Health of Our Lakes: Showcasing the Efforts of our Lake Communities".

Please visit the Events page at www.greenup.on.ca in the coming weeks for agenda updates and further details. Pre-registration is required. Admission is $20 per person and $35 per couple. LUnch and coffee is included.

Ocean Wise Approved!

Cedar Grove Lodge, a member of the Ontario Ecotourism Society, has become the first Ontario resort to be Ocean Wise approved.  Ocean Wise is a conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.  Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants and markets, ensuring that they have the most current scientific information regarding seafood and helping them make ocean-friendly buying decisions.  

According to the Vancouver Aquarium, an estimated 90% of all large, predatory fish are already gone from the world's oceans.  Recent studies have predicted a completely collapse of the fisheries industry by 2048.  Ocean Wise is a program promoting sustainable seafood options.  Their recommendations are based on four criteria:  

1)  abundant and resilient to fishing pressures

2) Well managed with a comprehensive management plan based on current research

3) Harvested in ways that limit damage to marine or aquatic habitats and negative interactions with other species.

4) Harvested in a method that ensures limited bycatch on non-target and endangered species.

A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium, the program has been launched in conjunction with local restaurants and other conservation partners.  You can learn more about Ocean Wise by visiting:  http://www.vanaqua.org/pressroom/oceanwisefactsheet.htm

You can also read more about the eco-initiatives at Cedar Grove by visiting http://www.cedargrove.on.ca

Currently there are nine Ocean Wise Approved restaurants in Ontario.  You can view all the Ocean Wise restaurants across Canada by visiting:  http://www.vanaqua.org/oceanwise/find-restaurant.html#Ontario

It's time to "Paddle Party"!

This coming long week White Squall will be hosting a free weekend event for the whole family! The fun runs from May 16-17 at White Squall's "Paddle Party and Open House". The weekend will include the Annual Cole Lake Boat Parade, Kayak race, Kayak & Canoe Clinics, Children's events and boat trials. The event runs from 9am to 5 pm each and people can drop in anytime. You will have the opportunity to test drive the latest boats frm 20 different companies. Organic coffee, friendly chickens and ice cream will also be on hand!

Each day will feature camp cooking, slide shows, basic to high performance, workshops on navigation, weather, boat repairs, canvas canoe boat building & more.

For further information about this event and other upcoming events with White Squall please check out http://www.whitesquall.com/programmes/paddling-events.html

Earth Day...Only 2 days away!

Looking for a way to celebrate earth day in Ontario. Visit the Earth Day Canada site and see programs and activities happening all across Canada, with over 158 activities happening right here in Ontario. Activities include everything from clean-up projects, eco-festivals to conservation volunteering and educational earth-day programs.

Earth Day Canada is a national environmental communications organization mandated to improve the state of the environment by empowering Canadians to achieve local solutions. Since 1991, EDC has been coordinating Earth Day/ Earth Month events, and creating successful community programs. EDC is a registered charity, and the Canadian arm of Earth Day network. They have over 3,500 affiliated community-based organizations and 5,000 member organizations, EDC operates year round to provide resources, user-friendly programs and networking assistance to help Canadians help the Earth.

In the Haliburton area...check out the Haliburton Earth Day Family Festival hosted by toes member The Gaia Centre. The festival takes place April 25, 2009 at Fleming College, 297 College Drive in Haliburton, Ontario from 9:30-1:00 pm. Features include storytelling, games, arts, music and discovery! Fun, ideas and hands on experiences for the whole family. Special Guest, Jennifer Morgan, is a storyteller, author, parent, teacher, and corporate consultant. Workshops for all ages including "Peace Puppets for the Planet" , "Gardening with our 5 Senses" and "Earth Wise Parenting". For further information visit www.gaiacentre.org

Saving Frogs With Art!

An artist (Erica Gajewski) is creating a work of art to be placed on the wall outside the Conservation Connection Centre at the Toronto zoo. It will be a depiction of a very large green frog. She is using text to fill in the image of the frog. The text is generated by asking people to answer the question "How would you feel if you never saw or heard a frog again?". Erica will need hundreds of answers in order to complete the frog.

Please take a few minutes to e-mail your answer to the question? One answer from an 11 year old-"I will feel sad because frogs are cool and they eat bugs. I hate bugs". A bit of a mixed message but you get the idea.

Help create art for conservation.

To email your answer or for inquiries please write Caroline Greenland (Manager of Education at the Toronto Zoo) at cgreenland@torontozoo.ca

Make a Difference Volunteering Outside!

The Nature Conservancy of Canada runs a Conservation Volunteers Program. The goals of this program is to help protect Canada's biodiversity while providing a meaningful, hands-on ecucational experience in ecologically significant natural areas. In Ontario, NCC's Conservation Volunteers are working to help restore our natural areas including tackling problems with invasive species, assisting conservation scientists with monitoring rare species and contributing to important provincial surveys such as the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. Since 2002, over 20,000 volunteer hours have been worked.

2009 Volunteer Events in Ontario
April 19, 2009: Wreck and Revive. Help clean up the Lathrop Nature Preserve.
April 25, 2009: Spring into Action. Community cleanup at Gillies Grove.
May 2nd, 2009: Greening Norfolk County. Help restore 23 acre property in the Southern Norfolk Sand Plain.
May 9th, 2009: Invasion at Cinnamon Bog II. Remove invasive species at Cinnamon Bog.
May 30, 2009: Bio Bonanza. Seeking local naturalists to help build a complete picture of the biodiversity on NCC's newest property in the lower Maitland River Valley
July 12, 2009: Carden Alvar Butterfly Count
July 28, 2009: Carden Alvar Dragonfly Count
September 18, 2009: The Great Pine Purge. Peter's Woods Provincial Natural Reserve.
Septembr 25, 2009: Tallgrass Harvest Hoedown V. Annual seed collection at Rice Lake Plains.
September 26, 2009: Another Return to the Savannah. Ecological restoration program at Savannah Links Golf Course/Native seeds collection.

You can find out more about volunteering in 2009 with Nature Conservancy in Ontario by visiting http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=vfn_volunteer_ON

and further information can be found about Nature Conservancy Canada by visiting http://www.natureconservancy.ca

Engaging Generation Y

The Ontario Tourism Education Corporation, a non-profit training and H.R organization, is hosting an upcoming workshop on April 2nd entitled "Engaging Generation Y". This half-day workshop will focus on the influences that have formed the generation (born between 1980 and 2000), workplace expectations, traits and characteristics, effective management styles for Gen Y and tactions to motivate, retain and improve performance. The cost of the workshop is $229.00 plus gst and includes a take-away resource manual, lunch and refreshments. Workshop takes place at the OTEC Training Centre from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. For further information please visit www.otec.org

A full day workshop will take place on April 28th exploring Service Excellence. Topics covered will include customer connection, customer loyalty, communication in pressure situations, basic service commitments and dealing with difficult customers. Cost is $199 for the full day and discounts apply to multiple registrations.

Other upcoming workshops from OTEC include Train the Trainers, National Food Safety Training Program and Engaging Multi Generations. http://www.otec.org

Climate Change and Tourism

A new report has been released for March 2008 by the Icarus Foundation. The Climate Change Challenge Discussion Paper titled "Climate change and nature-based tourism, outdoor recreation, and forestry in Ontario" discusses the possible effects climate change will have on these industries in Ontario. The discussion spans two periods including the short term and long term affects climate change will have on all components. Finally, the report considers potential strategies for response and adaptation both by industry and by consumers.

To read this report and others by the Icarus Foundation please visit: http://www.theicarusfoundation.com/Reports.html

Long Point Causeway Improvement Project

I recently received an update on the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project. Currently the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation is looking for ecotourism consultants to help continue their work. This community based project is aiming to revitalize a 3.5 kilometre-long causeway that links the Long Point Peninsula on Lake Erie with mainland southern Ontario.

The first step in this planwas to launch a feasibility study of potential improvements that would reduce wildlife mortality and restore thehydrological connections between Big Creek Marsh and Long Point Inner Bay.

They are now seeking to do an ecotourism study for the region and to develop an economic argument for the benefits that improvements to the causeway could potentialy have on recreational opportunities, rural character and community well being.

A copy of the completed feasibility study can be found on their website at www.longpointcauseway.com . It was released in April 2008. A scientific stdy completed by the Canadian Wildlife Service on road mortality linked to the causeway can also be found on the same website.

Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study Report Released

The official report Discovering Ontario: A Report on the Future of Tourism has been released. This report is the product of feedback from 501 attendees at public consultations held across the province and over 200 written submissions. The Ontario Ecotourism Society participated in the study by attending the Orillia session and submitting our own written responses to the questions being asked. The questions included:

• The market: what are our best prospects?
• The Product-How can we provide the experience tourists want?
• The People-How can we ensure a well-trained workforce?
• The Tools-What are the appropriate roles for governments?
• The Industry-How can the industry work together to achieve success?

You can learn more about the Competitiveness Study and download a copy of the report with over 20 recommendations by visiting http://www.tourismstudy.ca

Logging in Algonquin Provincial Park

While logging is now banned from all of Ontario's 631 protected areas, only 22% of Algonquin Provincial Park remains protected from logging activities. Algonquin was Ontario's first provincial park and was established in 1893. Classified as a Natural Environment Park, the park is managed for protection, heritage interpretation, recreation, tourism and use of resources. To learn more about the background of Algonquin Provincial Park you can visit the Ministry of Natural Resource information page http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Newsroom/LatestNews/MNR_E004257.html

Currently, the Parks Board and the Algonquin Forest Authority are working jointly and consultations have taken place to determine future protection for Algonquin Provincial Park. Both agencies have come to an agreement that 22 % is not a sufficient level of protection and that this should be raised to 50%. The change in the amount of protected area will not affect the amount of wood supplied from the park.

Currently both organizations are not in agreement on the specific details of which areas should be protected. Final recommendations wil be made to the Minister of Natural Resources.

A campaign is currently in place by CPAWS Wildlands League to urge the minister to immediately increase protection in the park to areas where both organizations are in agreement protection is needed. They are also pushing for a consensus to be reached no later than spring 2009 on the remaining areas to be protected.

To learn more about getting involved in protecting Algonquin Park please visit http://www.wildlandsleague.org/

Ontario's Position in the Global Ecotourism Market

The most current Segmentation Profiles have shown that 16% of Ontario households are seeking responsible/sustainable tourism options, 10% of US visitors have an interest in ecotourism opportunities in Ontario and 20% of domestic travellers in Ontario are looking for green tourism options. But is Ontario responding to this increased demand???

This sector is one of the fastest growing sectors not only domestically but internationally as well. The 2008 World Travel Awards has a complete category for green travel and the prestigious top international award and the top European Award went to the country of Slovakia. Their tourism industry has been growing at an incredible rate. Their Minister of Tourism stated that the days are gone when green washing or adding green features to tourism is acceptable. The entire industry must be built from the ground up with solid green and sustainable principles to prosper.

It is interesting to note that of the dozen or so countries that won the awards in the world green category there were no contenders from North America at all. You would think that with the world awareness and demand for this type of product that it would form an important part of tourism in Ontario. It does increasingly at a local operator level, but corporately at the government level it is completely non-existent.

From a tourist's perspective, let us look at the four main government tourism web sites and search for links to ecotourism and green tourism. What are the results?

On Ontario's official tourism web site you are provided a link to Fleming College's Ecotourism Program...there is no other references to products or features in ecotourism or green tourism.

On the Ministry of Tourism website, a search for ecotourism provides a link to a Northern Ontario Francophone Tourism Plan...no other matches are found for ecotourism or green tourism.

In the document for the Ontario Tourism Strategy, a search for either terms provides no matches at all.

And lastly, The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation provides no matches for ecotourism and only one match for green tourism (a Greenbelt Tool Kit).

What can we conclude from this? That if as a tourist you are seeking green or ecotourism opportunities in Ontario, the key tourism sites appear to indicate that it is non-existent or not important.

Ontario has the potential to become synonomous with green and sustainable tourism setting it apart from all other destinations in North America (that also apparently have not been paying attention). The opportunity exists and the time is now!

What's the Buzz? Green Living Show 2009

We are all very very excited that we are attending our third consecutive year at the Toronto Green Living Show. Taking place April 24th to 27th, this three day event has over 400 exhibitors and an projected attendance of 25,000. David Suzuki and Al Gore have already been confirmed as main stage speaker's at the event.

Members of the Ontario Ecotourism Society have been invited to join us for the Green Living Show at a cost of only $150 (beyond yearly membership fee). This contribution will help us to offset the cost of booth space, speaker fees and educational/marketing materials.

Take a look at our Calendar of Events for further information about other 'green' related events and festivals taking place across Ontario in 2009!

For more information about joining us for the Green Living Show or Membership with the Ontario Ecotourism Society please email getinvolved@toes.ca

*image courtesy of the Toronto Green Living Show.