New Brunswick Ecotourism Coop Isabella Horswill Nathan De

New Brunswick Ecotourism Co-op Isabella Horswill, Nathan De. Long, Ben Cripps and Dan Steeves ECON 2203 Community Economic Development November 26, 2014

Ecotourism Definition A form of tourism which includes visiting “fragile, pristine and relatively undisturbed areas. ” Purpose may be to educate travellers and provide funds for ecological conservation and/or directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities. Honey, Martha (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns This Paradise? (Second ed. ). Washington, D. C. Island Press

Ecotourism Definition (Cont. ) Ecotourism emphasizes socially responsible travel, personal growth and environmental sustainability. Typical destinations include areas where plants, animals and cultural heritage are main attractions. Programs have a smaller ecological impact than conventional tourism.

Ecotourism promotes recycling, energy efficiency, conserving water and creating economic opportunities for local communities.

Ecotourism Benefits ● ● Destinations often include natural areas Ecological impact is quite minimal Ecotourism helps raise environmental awareness Ecotourism provides direct financial benefits for conservation ● It also financially benefits and empowers local people and respects local culture ● It supports movements in favour of human rights and democracy. “Ecotourism. ” Wikipedia. N. p. , last modified 09 November 2014. http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Ecotourism

Goals To promote and help make New Brunswick’s communities prosper. To keep forests pristine and showing the natural, undisturbed environment as much as possible. To lobby government to ensure no more Crown forests are leased to the private sector. To support conservation efforts in the province

Future Endeavours/Ecotourism Programs Winter: Snowshoe hikes, skiing, and courses Spring, Summer & Fall: Nature hikes, waterfall visits, bus or 15 passenger van tours. Vehicle would be fuelled either by canola oil, cooking grease, or soybeans Summer: Off-grid cabins (future plans)

Eco-lodges & Off-Grid Cabins

Benefits/Spinoffs for New Brunswick Visitors spend money in communities, creating an effect where one industry can facilitate another. Minimal ecological footprint with eco-friendly programs Supplies would be purchased locally as much as possible. Biofuel could be produced locally, benefitting local farmers and/or producers.

Possible Ecotourism Destinations

Winter Crabbe Mountain and Poley Mountain Ski Resorts

Spring, Summer and Fall Ayers Lake Unique Area, Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve, Maliseet Trail

Provincial Parks Nine provincial parks: *Mactaquac (pictured) > *Mt. Carleton, de la Republique, Herring Cove, Murray Beach, New River Beach, Parlee Beach, *Sugarloaf and The Anchorage * Summer and winter programs

National Parks Two national parks: Fundy and Kouchibouguac Summer and winter activities are available at both parks

Tree. GO Locations in Moncton and Mactaquac. Zip lines and climbing apparati are low-impact. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ms. WYd. N 5 n. Uu. Y (1: 20)

Hopewell Rocks: Walk/Kayak the Ocean Floor

Rivers https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=3 f. OT 7 K 7 Z_o. I (2: 27)

Experiencing Nature Sackville Waterfowl Park, Ecological Park of the Acadian Peninsula, Rockwood Park, Cape Enrage, Grand Falls Gorge, Sugarloaf Bike Park https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=tk. UBOqa. Eb 34#t=17 (2: 17)

Waterfalls Photographer Nicholas Guitard has documented more than 160 waterfalls in NB on his site, waterfallsnewbrunswick. ca

Fall Foliage Tours

https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=4 U 1 Y 5 MJ 1 J 8 (2: 53)

New Brunswick Ecotourism Co-op Overseen by an elected four-member board Each shareholder invests in startup costs and receives a share of “profit” in return. Partner with the NB Wildlife Trust Fund & Conservation Council of NB to donate a percentage of earnings to them in exchange for promotion and marketing.

New Brunswick Ecotourism Co-op Much of the initial decision-making was based on consensus, but once formed, votes will shape the co-op’s future direction. Each owner and/or board member has one vote or share in the co-op. Executive board positions will also be elected. Each board member will play a unique role in moving the co-op forward.

Marketing Plan Designed to increase exposure to New Brunswickers, Canadians, and overseas travelers. Ads in tourism booklets relating to Canada and NB. Find ways to make local news and abroad. Ads in Maritime newspapers and eventually on television networks Social Media Presence-Twitter, Facebook, website Online presence on Kijiji, Ebay.

Social Media Presence Like the New Brunswick Ecotourism Cooperative on Facebook (facebook. com/nbecotourismcooperative) Follow NB Ecotourism Co-op on Twitter (@NBEcotourism / twitter. com/NBEco. Tourism) Could eventually set up an Instagram feed to share photos Website: nbecotourismcoop. weebly. com Email: nbecotourismcoop@gmail. com

Financial Plan Pooling of resources among investors (each shareholder has a stake in startup costs, etc. ) Central space for headquarters. Appeal to Cooperative Enterprise Council of New Brunswick for support & resources Revenues used to pay overhead costs, donate to NB Wildlife Trust Fund & Conservation Council. Remaining will cover shareholder wages.

Head Office 231 Regent Street, Fredericton, NB

Financial Plan Budget Item Budgeted Amount Account Balance Initial Investment ($7, 000 per year x 4 shareholders = $24, 000) $28, 000 15 -Passenger Van Purchase $10, 000 $18, 000 Biofuel, Insurance, Vehicle Registration, Other Expenses $5, 000 $13, 000 Office Space Rental ($600/month x 12 months = $7, 200) $7, 200 $5, 800 $5, 000 Wildlife Trust/CCNB Contribution ($500 x 2 charities = $1, 000) $1, 000 $4, 000 Shareholder Wages ($1, 000 x 4 shareholders = $4, 000) $4, 000 $0 Advertising/Marketing TOTAL $28. 000 $0 Remaining Budget items somewhat speculative. Budgeted funds may not be spent entirely or could be more or less than anticipated, so they’re subject to change

Revenues Fares for tours (fall foliage, destinations, etc. ) Fees for ski classes during winter Flat rate plus monthly rental fee for off-grid cabins/eco-lodges once up and running Revenues dependent on customers, of course