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Final Report
Participating organizations and geographic locations include: In Mexico:
Marismas Nacionales area of Nayarit; Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro in Michoacan; Rio San Pedro in Sonora; Xalapa in Veracruz, Sierra Norte in Oaxaca.
In United States:
Great Salt Lake in Utah; Las Cruces in New Mexico.
In Canada:
Chaplin Lake, Quill Lakes, Crooked Lake, LaRonge and Carswell Lake, in Saskatchewan.
Ecological tourism sites in North America have generally been managed in isolation, despite instances of shared resources such as migratory birds or butterflies. Guides at these sites have considerable expertise and talent for tour delivery, and through the North American Guide Exchange, their knowledge was substantially enhanced through contact with guides from other sites. Networking ecotour guides has enhanced sustainable ecotourism and supports long-term habitat conservation throughout North America.
The Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation (SWCC) administered the ecotour guide exchange project that involved ecotour guides in a forum for sharing site information, delivery techniques, problem-solving and resource information. Guides received hands-on experience and expanded their knowledge of sustainable ecotourism.
The project was coordinated in partnership with community-based tourism and conservation groups, and received support from local communities and governments. The exchange strengthened public support for conservation, enhanced understanding of biodiversity and environmental protection, and will form the basis of a North American network of exchange for ecotour guides.
The project encouraged and promoted sustainable tourism in areas of high ecological significance in North America. It has strengthened communities through sustainable tourism development by involving guides from Mexico, the United States and Canada in sharing information and discussing the challenges, opportunities, needs and processes required to further develop this industry. Communities in these areas gained an international perspective about ecotour delivery, and have become more acutely aware of the value of sustainable tourism, which extends beyond local employment to provide economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being. The project involved two workshops, one in Saskatchewan and the other in Oaxaca, providing the forum for discussions about ecotour delivery in various areas of North America.
All project activities were with the guides and the communities, and not about them. These people were highly familiar with the challenge and opportunities of their industry, and could discuss the realities of overcoming obstacles and developing their industry. They indicated that even though they accomplished a great deal through discussions and the development of recommendations, their group has merely begun the process that will lead to effective, enhanced delivery of sustainable tourism in North America. This success will extend through the development of their network and their industry. Continued support of the NAGE project would enable them to continue this process and help develop the industry, benefiting many more guides, their communities, and all of society.
The product of the North American Guide Exchange is the North American Guide Exchange Project Report, produced by the Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, February 2001. This report, as well as other information about the project, may be obtained through the SWCC website or by contacting Sharon Rodenbush, Coordinator, International Programs, Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, 101 - 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4P 2K5.
Analysis
The success of the project is attributed directly to the guides through their discussions and ideas to enhance the ecotourism industry in North America. The guides were keenly interested in developing their industry and firmly committed to sustainable tourism that benefits their communities, economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. The dedication of these participants to the project, and their ability to candidly share experiences, ideas and concerns was critical to the success of this project. Guides were able to come to unanimous agreement on the definition of ecotourism, develop recommendations for NACEC's consideration and begin the process of developing a North American guide exchange network.
The key challenge of the project was for participants to overcome obstacles, which they identified, to the development of sustainable tourism in North America. Ways and means of overcoming these obstacles were determined by guides through their recommendations to NACEC. These recommendations included developing a code of ethics for guides and a permanent ecotour guide network. Guides also recognized the need for a broad public awareness and marketing strategy for their industry that includes an internet website, with funding to support these activities for a three year term. Guides also recommended that NACEC encourage governments to empower local communities by providing technical support and by recognizing community decisions on activities in their areas. Guides unanimously accepted "ecotourism" to be, "a sustainable method of nature-based educational tourism that reflects and respects the unique environment, community and culture of each individual ecosystem while minimizing impacts to those ecosystems." The current challenge, borne of the project, is to secure funding to develop the network and help ensure ecotourism develops in a sustainable manner throughout North America.
A most valuable lesson from the project is the recognition that ecotour guides have an outstanding knowledge of ecotourism delivery and management. The guides are the key to successful development of this relatively new industry, as they are able to succinctly discuss the obstacles within their industry and develop solutions that will assist this rapidly growing industry. Guides are also the talent and the catalyst behind long-term conservation of ecologically-sensitive areas in North America.
On behalf of participants in the North American Guide Exchange project, the SWCC will invite potential funding agencies and entities to support further development of the North American Guide Exchange. With financial support, a permanent guide network will be established, recommendations will be addressed, and the network will be expanded, initially with indigenous representatives from Mexico's Monarch Butterfly reserves and the coastal area of Quintana Roo. Implementation of the guides' recommendations will enhance the delivery of sustainable tourism in North America.
Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
http://www.wetland.sk.ca
For more information about this grant, please contact the CEC Secretariat.
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Canada 
United States 
Mexico 
