Virginia Coastal Program: 2002 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2002 Task 12.10
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Virginia Seaside Heritage Program: Establishment of an Eco-tourism Certification Course for the Virginia Eastern Shore
Project Description as Proposed:
There are two main
goals of this project: 1) modification of a previously developed
2-day class on ecotourism to specifically address the Eastern Shore
of Virginia and 2) offer the course to interested guides via an
Eastern Shore facility. Ms. Sarah Mabey in FY 1999 developed the
original certification curriculum concept for the VA Coastal Program/DEQ.
A coastal plain-wide class was prepared and presented by VIMS for
the VA Coastal Program in 2001 (see Development and Presentation
of Pilot Curriculum for Virginia Eco-tour Guide Certification Program.
DEQ Contract NA87OZ0253-01 (Task 1.2). Modification of the basic
class will include incorporation of an enhanced barrier island natural
history and geology sections, a section on endangered and keystone
species found in the Eastern Shore region (particularly the seaside),
and the addition of a section on past and present impacts of humans
on the Eastern Shore. The revised course will then be presented
to any interested ecotour guides at a site easily accessible to
inhabitants of the Eastern Shore and eastern Virginia. An ecotour
certification logo will also be developed.
Federal Funding:
$12,250
Project Contact:
James Perry, (804) 684-7388, jperry@vims.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The VIMS/DEQ Ecotour Guide Certification was designed with the goal of safe, responsible, and environmentally sound guidelines to encourage more responsible kayak and boating tours on the Eastern Shore and other Virginia coastlines. The course curriculum was revised to include updated material and some new content, such as barrier island rules and regulations and pertinent information about approaching wildlife. The ecotour logo was developed as part of a marketing mechanism for the certified guides. The course took place on November 17-18, 2003. Twenty-four guides were in attendance. The certification consisted of two days of class-based activities as well as field objectives. Nineteen of the participating guides passed the final exam to become ecotour certified. These guides were sent a package containing a certificate of completion, two ecotour decals, and a letter of congratulations.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
