Issue 5: Ecotourism
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on October 31, 2000 at 21:45:25
from the municipal-environmental-issues dept.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie calls itself "Naturally Gifted" and by many counts it is. Within our city we have exceptional recreational trails, rivers and streams of all shapes and sizes, a diversity of geological landforms and a wide range of flora and fauna. Outside of our city to the north is the spectacular shoreline of Lake Superior and to the east the historic and productive wetlands of the St. Marys River. We are truly gifted and the ecotourism market is expanding. We must consider this opportunity but we must also protect the ecological values that visitors come to this city to see, without them the visitors will stop coming and we will lose on two fronts.
Initiatives below.
We are very fortunate to have an area such the Hiawatha Highlands. This area, subject of controversy over the past few years, needs to have a formal guiding plan, as a component of an overall strategy. Adjacent to the northeast of the Hiawatha Highlands is Jarvis Township. Jarvis Township is a recreational diamond in the rough. Most of the township is provincial Crown land and could very easily become a four-season recreational tourism destination coupled with the Hiawatha Highlands (as a gateway to "wilderness at your front door").
This city and surrounding area bursts with ecotourism possibilities. We need a publicly driven strategy. Lets hope a new city council will not put all of its "Economic Development" marbles in one basket, and realize the potential we have in our natural areas for ecotourism.
To better realize our potential in ecotourism, both within the city and within an area adjacent to it, we need to develop an ecotourism strategy. The strategy must, as the number one priority, protect and restore the natural ecological values that draw visitors. The strategy must present our city and area in a manner that is sustainable which includes an educational component that adds interest, experiences and promotes stewardship.
Initiatives
To ensure ecotourism opportunities within and adjacent to the City of Sault Ste. Marie are possible for the long_term an ecologically based ecotourism strategy shall be developed which includes the following:
- do an inventory of all existing ecological values, recreational values and facilities, and market possibilities within the study area ______
- perform an assessment of the present health and condition of all values in the inventory and of market supply and demand.______
- for values that are found to be in need of restoration or protection, develop a mechanism to restore and protect using partnerships with local interest groups and attain government and corporate support. ______
- using the inventory information, restoration/protection plan and market analysis, prepare an ecotourism strategy and implementation plan for Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area. The strategy will promote the area as an ecotourism destination, promote education and stewardship to ensure the natural values that draw visitors here will be protected for the long term. _____
Ecotourism
Ecotourism for the most part does not exist here in Sault Ste. Marie. Yes we do have the Algoma Centeral Train tour, Lock tours, and Algoma Adventure tour with some Sled tours for the winter but over all Ecotourism does not exist here. For a community that is "Naturally Gifted" we're missing out on tourism!by Ron Wuerdemann on 2000-11-02 22:15:40
In the past, this city has not been able to focus past the water front. Diversification is key, as stated "lets hope a new council will not put all of its economic development marbles in one basket".
Let us as a city and community focus on Ecotourism as it is and as it should be.
Lets show case this region and city. Ecotourism is not about Skiing, Sled Tours or Lock Tours but discovering natural beauty, it's about rocks, trees and water. Which we as a community do not market or show.
Partnerships with the Northern Tourism Marketing, Algoma Kinniwabi, Northshore Travel Association, all levels of government, BEC's tourism council, and tourist operators will be key to this endeavour. I am in agreement with Clear North's initiatives but without investors and individuals willing to address and develop these areas within and around our city we may never develop the full potential of our naturally gifted city.