Learn to be a tour leader or Tour Guide in an ecotourism attraction

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to organize and conduct ecotourism tours and activities. This course may just right for you to

Comment from one of our Ecotourism students:   "I am learning so much" J. Alderton

COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Ecotourism Basics -
   • Definition of ecotourism
   • Negative ecotourism
   • Ecotourist profile
   • Administrative concerns
   • Safety
2. Interpretive Services in Ecotourism -
   • Interpretation as a key element of ecotourism
   • Interpretation techniques
   • Sign design
3. Ecology and Conservation -
   • Definition of ecology
   • Ecosystem function
   • The web of life
   • Habitat and niche
   • Humans in the environment
4. Plant and Animal Classification and Identification -
   • Classification of organisms
   • Basic taxonomy
   • Using keys for identification
   • Other methods of identification
5. Geology/Geomorphology -
   • Types of rocks
   • Types of minerals
   • Soils
   • Soil formation
   • Soil classification
6. Interpreting Aquatic Environments -
   • Marine environments
   • Freshwater environments
   • Fish
   • Shells
   • Crustaceans
7. Interpreting Land Environments -
   • Introduction to interpreting land environments
   • Relevance of interpreting land environments
8. Planning an Ecotour -
   • Destination
   • Transportation
   • Accommodation
9. Ecotour Displays -
   • Design concepts
   • Zoo design techniques
10. Leading an Ecotour -
    • Advertising
    • Group preparation
    • Planning the tour
    • Group surveys for feedback

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

SUMMARY OF COMPETENCIES DEVELOPED
On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:

• An ability to analyse the structure of interpretive ecotourism in your country.
• To recognise factors of the environment and their significance to ecotourism.
• To plan an ecotour.
• Create/develop interpretation aids for a selected ecotourism activity.
• Develop a display with an ecotourism theme.
• Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including:
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Shells
  • Other animals
  • Plants
• Lead an interpretive tour with an ecotourism theme.
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected aquatic ecotourism activity.
• Develop innovative concepts in interpretation for a selected ecotourism activity in a land environment.
• Determine the specific name of a range of natural features in a selected wilderness area including, where appropriate:
  • Fossils
  • Rocks
  • Land formations
  • Soil types
  • Geothermal features

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS
Here are just some of the things you may be doing:

• With each assignment you will be required to prepare identification sheets, containing a preserved specimen, a photograph or a drawing; together with a description of the species/type of organism.
  This collection is designed to be the embryo of a resource which you may use as an ongoing aid when designing and conducting interpretive activities.
• You will research the legal and administrative background required to set up an ecotourism venture in your area. You will also look at the marketing and advertising possibilities for this venture.
• Visit a number of interpretive ecotourism facilities.
• Prepare an interpretive activities sheet for an ecotourism group.
• Visit a natural area and classify organisms sighted in a set time period.
• Identify points of interest in a natural area for an ecotourism group.
• Research the lifecycles of a number of plants and animals.
• Design a range of ecotours for ecotourists interested in various natural phenomena.
• Visit an aquatic environment and make observations on the organisms there and any pollution present.
• Identify potential ecotourism activities for a marine area.
• Develop interpretive techniques for minimal environmental impact.
• Attend an ecotour to assess the quantity and quality of information provided.
• Plan an ecotour including the destination, accommodation, transport, catering.
• Construct an ecotour display.
• Plan and lead an ecotour to a group of ecotourists or acquaintances.

Career Tips

• Keep your skills are up to date, by pursuing further studies or attending professional development activities.
• Keep current with what's happening in the Ecotourism Industry. What are the current issues, what ecotourism activities are growing in popularity and where is there likely to be more work?
• Join a networking group to meet people who are working in the field of Ecotourism.
• Get some experience. Whether paid or unpaid, experience will always make your CV look more impressive and give you some practical knowledge to apply in your interview.

After the Course

This course develops your ability to organise and conduct ecotourism services including tours and activities. This could range from guided tours, overnight walks and treks, or self guided interpretive walks. Ecotourism is the combination of Ecology and Tourism. Ecotourism is an industry that has developed hugely in recent years. It reflects both of the aims of modern conservation: husbandry of resources and protection of the environment. Modern ecotourism strives to be sustainable, so that the activities that are taking place can continue to do so. This course will introduce you to some of the aspects of ecotourism guiding including environmental awareness, planning tours,displays and interpretive aids, plant and animal interpretation.