Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 12.12
Grantee:
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Project Title:
Seaside Heritage Program: Development of Ecotourism Instructors Training Course
Project Description as Proposed:
Although ecotourism
can be an economically important source of revenue for many areas,
it can also take its toll on the environment. Unregulated use of
natural resources has had disastrous consequences in many countries.
For ecotourism to be a sustainable resource the environment must
be protected, even as tourists are enjoying it. One way developed
by VIMS/DEQ to help protect our natural resources was the establishment
of an ecotour guide certification program for the eastern shore
of Virginia. Through this certification program guides are trained
to identify and protect natural and sensitive habitats.
The goal of the project will be to extend the certification program
to “teach the teachers.” The pilot course will be oriented
to tour guides located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in order
to take advantage of the extensive ongoing Seaside Heritage Program
currently being conducted in that region. A teaching certificate
will be issued to each recipient that passes a final exam with a
grade of 80% or better. The certificate will acknowledge that the
recipient has achieved the minimum level of education deemed necessary
to teach sustainable ecotourism on the Eastern Shore of Virginia
and will be good for a 4 year period from the date of issue. A record
of the issued certificates will be housed in the Department of Coastal
Ocean and Policy and overseen by the Principal Investigator of this
project. An incentive-based program, especially one that is housed
in a non-profit organization (such as the VIMS/DCOP) will allow
eoctourism businesses to regulate themselves. In addition, this
program would give the public an opportunity to be involved in coastal
management through self regulation and education
Federal Funding:
$20,000
Project Contact:
James Perry, (804) 684-7388, jperry@vims.edu
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Eastern Shore Eco-Tour Instructors Training Course was presented to currently certified VIMS/DEQ Eastern Shore guides in November and December of 2005. Taught at the VIMS Wachapregue Laboratory, the course consisted of 16 hours of classroom instructions (syllabus attached). Of the 25 certified guides, seven (7) attended the course and five (5) successfully passed (see list below).
Certificates, information on how new instructors will conduct and test a class, and a CD with class slides have been provided to the new Instructors.
Guides who passed the class are: Dave Burden, Bo Lusk, Ray Miles, James Clark, and James M. Johnson Jr. One student, James M. Johnson Sr., did not pass and one student, Miles Ashly, dropped out before the exam.
Note: Class was offered in the evenings; no photos are available from class.
Class evaluations have been received from three attendees and were very positive. Contact with all Certified Instructors will be maintained through Dr. James Perry’s office.
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
