Ecotourism Tour Guide

Lesson Structure: Ecotourism Tour Guide Course BTR301

There are 10 lessons:

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

Practical:

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

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.