The lecturer discusses opportunities for enhancing wildlife conservation through ecotourism partnerships and philanthropy, highlighting examples like the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife which has added over 500,000 hectares to protected areas and saved several species from extinction through conservation projects. Strategic partnerships between ecotourism operators and protected areas can provide direct financial benefits for conservation if they follow ecotourism principles like minimizing impacts and benefiting local communities.

1. ‘Planning & Development’ Lecture
Friday 21 September, 2012
Commercial and philanthropic opportunities for
enhancing wildlife conservation through ecotourism
Angus M Robinson, Adjunct Lecturer
School of Marketing, Tourism & Leisure
CaringCaring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritagesince 1970
for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

2. Lecturer – Angus M Robinson
Certified ecotourism operator.
Board member, Foundation for National Parks
& Wildlife (FNPW.
Chair, Geotourism Sub Committee, Geological
Society of Australia.
Varied career background in a range of
industries, including in tourism, executive
roles at Taronga Zoo, Earth Exchange
Museum, and Mt Hotham Alpine Resort.

3. Lecture Points
A question of definitions and principles
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Current Ecotourism related partnerships
Australian National Landscapes
Philanthropy Opportunities and Vision
Summary of Lecture Points

4. National Estate
The term (‘National Estate’) was incorporated into
the Australian Heritage Commission Act and is used
to describe a collection of buildings and sites that
are worthy of preservation for a variety of reasons.
It covers natural environments as well as European
history and Aboriginal culture.
The National Estate includes national parks and
other lands reserved for public usage i.e.
‘protected areas’.

5. Understanding Natural Heritage
Natural heritage is the legacy of natural objects
and intangible attributes encompassing the
countryside and natural environment, including
flora and fauna, scientifically known as
biodiversity, and geology, landforms and soil
landscapes i.e. geodiversity.

6. ‘Geotourism’ incorporating
all types of ‘place-based’ tourism
i.e. ‘experiential
Cultural Sightseeing tourism’
Tourism
Cuisine
Heritage
ECOTOURISM
Tourism
Agritourism
Indigenous
Tourism
Boley, B.B. after Thompson, S. 2009

7. A Question of Definitions
Recreation activities:
Nature tourism – involves travel to unspolied places to
experience and enjoy nature
Wildlife tourism involves travel to observe animals,
birds and fish in their native habitats.
Adventure tourism is nature tourism ‘on steroids’
Ecotourism – responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being
of local people, defined by a set of principles
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development and The International
Ecotourism Society, 1990

8. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
5. Respects local culture
6. Supports human rights and democratic movements,
AND
7. Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

9. Involves Travel to Natural Destinations

10. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact

11. Minimises Impact

12. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness

13. Builds Environmental Awareness

14. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people

15. Borneo Ecotours
For every tour that is purchased, travellers will
help make a difference to the local community
and natural environment in North Borneo.
A portion of tour revenue is set aside to fund
various projects in Kudat, Kinabatangan and
Kundasang through a non-profit organisation,
Borneo Ecotourism Solutions and Technologies
Society.
A sister company, Sukau Rainforest Lodge also
contributes RM4.00 since 2000 for every
international guest who stays at the lodge.

16. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
5. Respects local culture

17. Respecting Local Culture

18. Seven Principles of Ecotourism

19. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
5. Respects local culture
6. Supports human rights and democratic movements

20. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Supports human rights

21. Seven Principles of Ecotourism
1. Involves travel to natural destinations
2. Minimises impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides financial benefits and empowerment for
local people
5. Respects local culture
6. Supports human rights and democratic movements
7. Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

22. Australian Definition of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a
primary focus on experiencing natural areas that
fosters environmental and cultural understanding,
appreciation and conservation.
Ecotourism Australia believes that the ultimate
definition of ecotourism is compliance with the core
criteria stated within the Eco Certification Program.

23. Eco Certification Criteria
In Australia, ECO Certification has three levels of
achievement which have been developed to
accommodate for a range of businesses and,
• their level of commitment to sustainability,
dedication/applicability to social and cultural
responsibilities, and
• the level of interpretation and education involved
in the product(s).
Currently no specific focus on philanthropy and
funding of wildlife conservation research.

24. Definition of Philanthropy
the desire to promote the welfare of others,
expressed especially by the generous
donation of money to good causes.
a philanthropic institution; a charity.
Source: Oxford Dictionary

25. Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

26. The Foundation
When then Premier of NSW, the Hon Tom Lewis MP, first
established the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service,
he had a vision of establishing a complementary
organisation, constituted mainly from the corporate
sector, to acquire parks for the Service. Hence the birth
of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in 1970.
Today the Foundation continues the tradition of growing
parks and caring for them and the species that inhabit
them.

27. Foundation achievements

28. Volunteering Land for Conservation
The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife is
the only organisation in Australia whose
philanthropy is an investment in our public
estate, for all to enjoy.
There are tax incentives for landholders
donating land but the real value is the growth
of our national parks and the protection given
to our plants and animals cared for under their
management.

29. 1. Foundation Achievements
Over its history the FNPW has added over
500,000 hectares to Australia’s national
reserve system, for the enjoyment of all.
The FNPW funds threatened species recovery
programs. The FNPW has saved animals such
as the Lord Howe Island woodhen, Gould’s
Petrel and the Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby
from extinction.

30. 2. Foundation Achievements
The Foundation protects our heritage icons as
sources of inspiration for future generations of
Australians and visitors from across the world.
Some examples of cultural heritage FNPW has
helped protect include the World Heritage Old
Great North Road, Kosciuszko Historic Huts,
Fort Denison, and Mungo.
Finally, the FNPW involves the community in
the conservation of Australia's native plants and
animals through environmental education.

32. Willandra Lakes
World Heritage
Area and Mungo
National Park
Pleistocene dune system
& ancient lake highlighting
50,000 years of continuous
human habitation

34. FNPW and Philanthropy
Since its inception in 1970, the Foundation
has been funding scientifically based projects
for the benefit of Australian native species.
To date the Foundation has saved four species
from extinction and funded projects to
research and conserve over 30 other
Australian plant and animal species.

35. Over 40 Years of Caring

36. Foundation achievements

37. Foundation achievements

38. Foundation achievements

39. Growing Our National Parks
Growing our parks is essential to safeguard
our natural heritage for future Australians.
National Parks remain the core of our
protected land system.
The Foundation continues to purchase
suitable land to add to and extend our
national reserves for future generations.

40. Strategic Partnerships
Ecotourism & Protected Areas – Yuraygir Coastal Walk

41. Yuraygir Coastal Walk, NSW

42. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Minimal impact, local benefits

43. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
‘Follow the Coastal Emu’

44. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Providing direct financial benefits for conservation

45. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Respecting Local Culture

46. Strategic partnerships -
Accommodation providers
within Protected areas

47. Strategic Partnership Opportunities
Ecotourism & Wildlife Conservation – Eastern Quoll, Tasmania

48. Philanthropy Vision
Now:
To act ‘on call’ as an interested sponsor of threatened
species wildlife conservation projects which have as
their principal objective, the maintenance and/or
regeneration of wildlife habitat. These projects can be
located either within national parks or within public or
private lands in any location in Australia.
Future:
To undertake these projects in the area in which the
ecotour is being undertaken.

49. Eastern Quoll Trapping, Tasmania

50. Eastern Quoll Monitoring

51. Eastern Quoll Pathology Testing

52. Eastern Quoll – A Bloodied Experience!

53. Earthwatch Great Otway NP, Victoria
Koala Research Program for Volunteers
Help scientists study the response of koalas to climate
change to conserve their habitats and population.
Traverse the Great Otway NP while conducting valuable
research on koala habitats to understand the impact of
climate change on population and behaviour.
During organised expeditions, volunteers will get the
chance to work closely with koalas and be involved in
all aspects of the research.
Leisure Solutions® is a current year sponsor.

54. Koala ‘Tree Choice’ Gunnedah, NSW
Wildlife Conservation
Koalas are dependent on selecting the right
tree in the right place at the right time.
The project seeks to explore the direct effect
of climate change on koalas by examining which
parts of the landscape and which tree species
koalas use, and what condition they are in
during a heat wave.

55. Koala Tree Choice Participants
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Gunnedah Research Centre
Landcare NSW Inc
University of Sydney School of Biological
Sciences & Veterinary School
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

56. Gunnedah Natural Heritage
Gunnedah Basin Permian Coal Measures and covered by
Triassic sediments and rich volcanic derived soils –
broad flood plains with class 1 to 5 soils.
Mixed dry land eucalypts and Pilliga Scrub varieties
e.g. Cypress Pine, Casuarinas etc.
Macropods, koalas, profilic birdlife common – Koala
Capital of Australia!
European farming settlements, Dorothy Mackellar, and
indigenous culture (Kamilaroi peoples etc.)

57. Tracking Koalas

58. Koala in a Tree

59. Koala Wrangling

60. Koala Wrangling

61. Koala Examination

62. Koala Unwrangling

63. Koala Back in the Wild

64. Thanks A Lot!

65. Koala Scat Research!

68. Australia’s
National
Landscapes

69. Flinders Ranges National Landscape

70. Flinders Ranges National Landscape

71. The Cazneaux Tree - Flinders Ranges NP

72. National Landscape/GSA Protocol
The Geological Society of Australia and Parks
Australia have recently concluded a protocol to
enable the input of geoscience information into
National Landscapes programs.
This protocol has already seen the inclusion of a
geotrail project as an endorsed program of the
Experience Development Strategy (EDS) for the
Green Cauldron National Landscape.

73. Scenic Rim – Green Cauldron
National Landscape

75. Travelers Philanthropy - Ethiopa
The USAID-funded Ethiopia Sustainable Tourism Alliance,
with support from Sustainable Travel International, is
proud to introduce the Ethiopia Travelers Philanthropy
Fund.
The fund opens the door for travelers to give back to
Ethiopia, ensuring their visits leave a positive impact.
The program supports sustainable tourism development
by connecting travelers to projects that improve the
environment, boost local incomes, and enhance the
destination for future visitors.

76. Travelers Philanthropy - Ethiopa
Tour operators are including visits to conservation and
community development projects in their itineraries.
Travelers can donate to and visit local communities that
are working hard to protect their forests and rehabilitate
degraded land. Visitors can book a trip through one of
their partnering tour operators and request that the
itinerary includes a visit to one/both of the project sites.
There are two ways to give – directly to the responsible
non-profits that have been vetted through the fund or on
the Global Giving website. e.g. plant a tree in a village
or provide an energy saving stove to a family.

77. Philanthropy Opportunities linked to Ecotourism
Royalty payments from tour operators on prorata
basis.
Corporate sponsorship of part or full project costs.
Per unit donations for research costs e.g. pathology
tests, GPS collars.
Sponsorship of vehicle leases.
‘voluntourists’ e.g. Earthwatch, Conservation
Volunteers Australia, World Expeditions etc.
http://www.ecotourism.org/voluntourism-guidelines
Field Research ‘experiential’ tourism - ‘ecotourists’.

78. Tauern National Park, Austria and the Endangered
Rock Partridge Case Study
The 'two-edged' effect of ecotourism, whereby visitors provide
revenues for costly conservation efforts, whilst at the same time
potentially affecting endangered species, can be managed to
ensure species' population levels are not affected.
Three types of measures were specifically highlighted by the
mathematical model:
visitor control limiting visitors
habitat conservation measures, i.e. expanding buffer zones
or creating quiet zones with the help of signposts, and
species conservation measures, such as species restocking.
Source: Bednar-Friedl, B., Behrens, D.A. and Getzner, M. (2012) Optimal Dynamic Control of Visitors
and Endangered Species in a National Park. Environmental and Resource Economics. 52: 1-
22. DOI 10.1007/s10640-011-9515-5.

79. Lecture Points Summary
By definition, ecotourism requires a commitment by tour
operators and accommodation providers to contribute to
providing direct financial benefits for conservation.
Demonstrated opportunities are now readily available for
industry participation.
With an increasing level of promotion of ‘nature based’ tourism
into both established protected areas and National Landscapes,
more opportunities will arise.
In time, it is predicted that eco-certification will directly
embrace wildlife conservation support.
The FNPW is one leading ‘not for profit’ NGO which can provide
a vehicle for ecotourism driven philanthropy.

81. For more Information about FNPW
Visit our website
www.fnpw.org.au and sign up for our newsletter!
Become our friend on Facebook
www.facebook.com/fnpw.1970
www.facebook.com/backyardbuddies
Follow us on twitter
http://twitter.com/fnpw
Call us
(02) 9221 1949
Email
arobinson@fnpw.org.au
angus@leisuresolutions.com.au