Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The West Coast Trail, a challenging 77 km (47 mile) hiking delight between Port Renfrew and Bamfield on Vancouver Island, is proving so popular that a reservation system is now in effect! You can call the Super Natural British Columbia travel information line at 1-800-435-5622 (HELLO BC) and reserve your hike up to 3 months in advance of your adventure. A discover camping number at 1-800-689-9025 also provides reservation services at British Columbia parks. This adventurous hike is not something you can experience in classes for a university degree online program.

How did this great hiking trail come into such acclaim? It started with a shipwreck back on January 22, 1906. The 253 foot (77 meter) vessel SS Valencia ran aground just north of Klanawa River on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The wild and rugged shoreline bordering a temperate rain forest offered no relief whatsoever and the lives of all 126 passengers were lost! This tragic event spurred the government at that time to construct a trail between Port Renfrew and Bamfield in case of future shipwrecks as this section of the Pacific had been the site of more than 60 shipwrecks since 1854! The present West Coast trail generally follows the route of the historic life saving trail. A heavy wet climate has produced a dense forest of cedar, hemlock, fir and spruce. The forest floor is jammed with salmonberry, huckleberry, salal and in places, the heavy spiked stalks of devil’s club.

The 47 km (29 mile) section from the trail’s northern end at Pachena Bay near Bamfield to Carmanah Point is mainly a wide and clear path. Part of it can be covered on the beach, especially at low tides. One highlight is Tsusiat Falls which cascade almost 50 feet (15 meters) down to the beach. The 29 km (18 mile) section from Carmanah to Port Renfrew is definitely a hiker’s challenge, requiring many crossings of streams, gullies, fallen trees, near vertical ladders and narrow log bridges. There are two major river crossings that cannot be forded, the Gordon River in this section and the Nitinat Narrows near mid-point. Members of local Indian bands can be depended on to ferry you across these waterways. At certain points on the trail, you could catch sight of Pacific gray whales, killer whales and sea lions offshore. The sheltered coves abound with bird life and at low tide, all manner of sea life can be spotted in the pure tidal pools. Black bears are still a frequent sight as they roam the shores in early morning and evening looking for a share of the many edibles along these tidal flats.

A hike of the entire trail takes 6 to 10 days so your backpack should include a sleeping bag and a rainproof light weight tent. The annual rainfall in this area is 270 cm (106 inches) so rain gear is essential although there are often periods of sunny days in July and August. Remember, you must be completely self sufficient as supplies cannot be acquired on the trail. Planning your food, the more light weight and spoil proof the better, for each day along the trail is a must! Good preparation will ensure that you can thoroughly enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the world!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Article courtesy: www.tourcanada.com/wctrail.htm

Introduction

Coral Bleaching is a process biological in nature and can be difficult to explain in layman’s terms. Coral bleaching has become one of the most recognized topics within the environmental community in the last couple of years. To put it in simple terms,  coral bleaching is causes by the healthy coral reef losing its tiny, single-cell algae and usually occurs quite suddenly.  Coral bleaching is known to be responsible for killing approximately 18% of the worlds coral reefs.  Coral bleaching in most cases is triggered by the introduction of warmer waters than normal to the local eco-system.

Damage To Reefs

Coral reefs provide us with food, safe moorings and opportunities for recreation. Most importantly coral reefs are home to approximately one quarter of all life known in the ocean world. When reef building occurs in warmer, shallow tropical water, corals in this situation tend to be more sensitive to changes in their environmental conditions. The corals lose their colour and the skeleton left behind is white in colouration. This colour is amplified when sunlight strikes it. Once the coral dies and only the skeleton is left normal wave activity will reduce the reef to what is known as coral rubble. Tropical storms can accelerate this process. The change in the reef system is dramatic. What was once a healthy eco-system with a variety of species inhabiting it is reduced to a weak coral community usually with algae as the dominating species of plant life. If by chance or with human intervention the stress on the reef is lessened, many times the reef has a good chance to recover. Recovery does not happen overnight and can take many years to occur. Prevention of coral bleaching is much easier to accomplish than recovery.  Corals inhabiting the water surrounding the Galapagos Islands were observed to bleach at temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius, a full degree and a half warmer than the critical temperature for bleaching at that site. Not all coral bleaching occurs in shallow, warm waters. Some cases of bleaching have occurred in corals growing near the limits of their ability to sustain themselves in cold waters. These bleaching events were suspected to be caused by severe storms pushing colder waters into the reef system from deeper levels in the ocean. Corals are very resilient and  can often recover from bleaching episodes that are short in duration, if they are exposed to longer, or multiple bleaching the results can be nothing less than fatal.

Conclusion

Many people feel that with the increase in temperatures due to climate change that coral bleaching will not only increase in frequency, but has the ability to become an annual event. Many agree this could happen as soon as the year 2030.  Coral bleaching, if it continues, will threaten coral reefs around the world whenever the weather conditions are unusually hot, and will affect not only reefs that are under stress by human usage but also the most remote and pristine reefs so far untouched by human hands.  This is a recipe for  disaster for any and all reefs. Growth for a reef occurs slowly. Typically reefs can generate approx one inch of growth per year. Any interruption to this slow growth only weakens the coral and severely limits it’s ability to cope with environmental change..

A Guide To Ecotourism Hotspots

Today’s eco-traveller has the opportunity to choose from a variety of destinations . Many regions around the world are seeing an increase in popularity as choices for ecotourism. The locations listed below highlight some of the most popular destinations when it comes to where people are visiting for the ever growing sector of tourism known as Ecotourism.

Africa:
Kenya and Swaziland top the list on the African continent when it comes to popularity in terms of ecotourism hotspots. Offering a diverse eco-system of deserts and forest, this unique environment is truly blessed with an abundance of plants and animals. Traditional cultures abound and in particular the Kenyan Maasai tribe are one of the main reasons Kenyan has become such a hotspot of ecotourism. Because of this popularity, the tourism industry in this area of Africa is under extreme pressure and must find a way to ensure that dramatic increases in ecotourism growth is managed effectively.

Caribbean and Central America:
Rainforest and beach eco-tours have seen an explosion in popularity over the last few years. Not many countries can compete with Costa Rica, Belize, and the Dominican Republic when it comes to popularity in this sector of the Ecotourism world. These small tropical nations enjoy the support of government investment and coupled with their unparallel beauty in terms of beaches, mountains, volcanoes and of course untouched rainforests, this area of the world cannot be beat in terms of an ecotourism hotspot.

Europe:
Most people do not think of Europe as an ecotourism hotspot. Old World history and the visiting of museums typically dominate a trip to Europe. It might come as a bit of a shock but many countries within Europe are beginning to see the value in the increased popularity of Ecotourism and now offer a variety of hiking and cycling eco-tours.

North America:
National Parks of enormous size abound in this area of the world. Jasper National Park in Alberta Canada encompasses an area the size of the Netherlands, and because of their diverse eco-systems, plants and animals these hotspots are under increasing pressure from ecotourism. By doing a little research before heading out you will be able to find areas that may not be as popular as some of the larger parks, they are however no less rewarding in terms of what you can discover.

South America:
Eco-tourists rate this region high on their lists for ecotourism hotspots. The Amazon region dominates this eco-tour market with it’s unending variety of flora and fauna.  The indigenous peoples and their traditional cultures make Ecuador a must see on many eco-tourists itineraries. Brazil and Peru round out this list of eco- hotspots in South America particularly the Andes region of Peru.

Southeast Asia:
Indonesia and Thailand are number one and number two in this region of the world in terms of eco-hotspots. Their combination of pristine rainforest snow-capped mountains and untouched beaches combine to create an ecotourism’s dream vacation. Laos, Cambodia and Nepal round out other destinations travellers choose when visiting this ecotourism hotspot.  visiting countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal , although garbage on the  more popular routes toward Mount Everest has seen a dramatic rise in recent years and is a problem Nepal will need to confront in the coming ecotourism seasons.

Introduction

Being one of the last British Colonies left in the world,  the Turks and Caicos Islands are fairly isolated when it comes to eco-destinations. This group of islands is found approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami Florida. The island nation of the Dominican Republic can be found approx 110 miles to the southeast. The next closest landmass to the Turks and Caicos is the Bahamas which are about 30 miles to the northwest. The colony of the Turks and Caicos is made up of of two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands hence the name! These two groups of Islands are set apart by an ocean passage which is known as the Columbus Passage.  The island nation of Turks and Caicos Islands have really taken a leadership position in the world of Ecotourism by setting aside over 33% of the entire land and sea regions of the East, Middle, and North Caicos for preservation purposes.These regions has been delegated for use in 4 basic areas;  National Parks, Natures Reserves, Sanctuaries and Protected Areas. The Ramsar Site which is home for an astounding number of sea birds is known as the world’s largest wetland reserve. The incredible variety of seabirds use this saltwater reserve for breeding purposes.  The Turks and Caicos Islands are ideal for the eco-tourist as they can create a vacation package that is perfect for them. Stay on 1 island, visit all of them, it is totally up to you. By visiting a number of the islands you will really get the opportunity to find out what this tiny island nation has to offer you.

Things To Do

As odd as it seems convenience and ecotourism go hand in hand when you began to think about an eco-vacation to the Turks and Caicos. By providing easy access to many of the untamed and unspoilt areas within this island nation an ecotourism trip to the Turks and Caicos is truly convenient. Without a doubt the reef located here in the Turks and Caicos is the number 1 must see attraction. Stunning, colourful reef inhabitants  abound on the reef and the effect of the coral walls fading into the depths of the ocean is unforgettable. Because of the crystal clear waters, and the unspoilt beauty of the reef  the Turks and Caicos Islands are in the top 5 for scuba diving destinations. Above the ocean depths there is no better way to explore the various islands then getting out under your own power and hike. Every kilometer you hike fills your senses with fantastic memories. North Caicos: Enjoy your day discovering the past.  Middle Caicos: Make sure you are able to book an entire day on this island as it is the island that has the least development on it. Whether you enjoy mountain biking, trips to local markets or sampling local fare Middle Caicos will not disappoint you. South Caicos : locally known as the fishing capital of the Turks and Caicos, this is the place to be for all your fishing needs. Turks and Caicos also boasts the Caicos National Museum. This museum being on an island has a nautical theme featuring many artifacts discovered from ancient shipwrecks.

Conclusion

By being a world leader in the preservation of many of it’s wetlands, reefs, and bird sanctuaries, the Turks and Caicos have ensured that generations to come will have the opportunity to be astounded by the natural wonder of this tiny island nation. If you decided to book an eco-tour vacation to the Turks and Caicos there is  no better place to stay than on Pine Cay.

Ecotourism appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Also known as ecological tourism, it involves travel to pristine and protected areas, where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the main attractions. It helps the traveller to have personal growth and learn new ways to live on the planet.

Fostering respect for different cultures and human rights, it directly benefits the economic development and political empowerment of local communities. Ecotourism is an enriching experience for those who would like to research and understand the environment around them. Promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for the local communities are an integral part of ecotourism. It aims at reducing the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhancing the integrity of local people.

There are several characteristics of ecotourism including travel to natural destinations, building environmental awareness, providing financial benefits and empowerment for local people, supporting human rights and demographic movements etc. It also satisfies various criteria like, conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through ecosystem protection, sharing of socio-economic benefits with local communities by having their informed consent and participation in the management of ecotourism enterprises etc. For many countries like, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar, Antarctica etc it is a major industry of the national economy.

Ecotourism is a widely misunderstood concept. It is often used as a marketing tool to promote tourism, which is related to nature. The greenwashing practices carried out in the name of ecotourism is detrimental to the ecosystem. There are some operators who behave in environmentally irresponsible ways, using the labels of “green” and “eco-friendly.”

In order to promote ecotourism in its real sense, many environmentalists have argued for a global standard of accreditation, differentiating ecotourism companies on the basis of their level of environmental commitment. For enforcing accreditation procedures, a national or international regulatory board would be formulated, with representation from governments, hotels, tour operators, travel agents, guides, airlines, local authorities etc.