The Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop, held on May 17, 2012, focused on enhancing wildlife conservation through ecotourism, defining key principles and opportunities in this sector. The workshop emphasized the role of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in funding conservation projects and promoting ecologically sustainable tourism that benefits both the environment and local communities. Participants discussed various strategies for integrating philanthropic support in wildlife tourism initiatives and the importance of eco-certification in fostering responsible tourism practices.

1. Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop
Thursday 17th May, 2012
Commercial and philanthropic opportunities
for enhancing wildlife conservation
through Ecotourism
Angus M Robinson & Susanna Bradshaw
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

2. Agenda
A question of definitions and principles
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Current ecotourism related partnerships
Australian National Landscapes
Philanthropy opportunities and vision
Take aways
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

3. Geotourism
Incorporating all types of “place based” tourism
Geotourism
i.e. ‘experiential
Cultural Sightseeing
tourism’
Tourism
Cuisine
NATURE
Heritage BASED
Tourism TOURISM
Agritourism
Indigenous
Tourism
Boley, B.B. after Thompson, S. 2009
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

4. A Question of Definitions
‘Nature Based’ activities:
Nature tourism involves travel to unspoiled places to
experience and enjoy nature.
Adventure tourism is nature tourism ‘on steroids’
Wildlife tourism involves travel to observe animals, birds
and fish in their native habitats.
Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment & improves the well-being of
local people, defined by a set of principles.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop |
Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970
Source: Honey, 2008: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development and

5. 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
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

6. 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.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

7. 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/funding of
wildlife conservation research.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

8. Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

9. Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
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.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

10. Foundation achievements
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

11. 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.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

12. 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 extend our national reserves for future
generations.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

13. The Foundation & 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 &
conserve over 30 other Australian plant and animal
species.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

14. Over 40 Years of Caring
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

15. Foundation achievements
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

16. Foundation achievements
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

17. Foundation achievements
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

18. Foundation achievements
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

19. Foundation Partnerships
Funding wildlife research conservation projects
Biodiversity, geodiversity, cultural or heritage focus
Includes environmental interpretation projects
Targeted to make the difference!
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

20. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Minimal impact, local benefits
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

21. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Follow the coastal emu
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

22. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

23. Strategic Partnerships
Accommodation Providers within Protected Areas
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

24. Strategic Partnership Opportunities
Ecotourism & Threatened Species – Eastern Quolls
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

25. University of Tasmania Project
Eastern Quoll Trapping, Tasmania
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

26. University of Tasmania Project
Eastern Quoll Monitoring
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

27. University of Tasmania Project
Eastern Quoll Pathology Testing
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

28. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Tracking Koalas
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

29. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Koala Wrangling
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

30. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Project Ambassador - Koala Examination
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

31. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Koala ‘Unwrangling’
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

32. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Thanks A Lot Mister!
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

33. NP&WS ‘Koala Care’ Project - Gunnedah
Koala Scat Research!
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

34. Project Expeditions
Providing supporters with hands on experience
Foundation volunteer Project Ambassadors undertake
field trips to experience, first hand, the work of the
scientists and researchers they are supporting.
The Foundation is looking to extend this opportunity
to project sponsorship in partnership with Earthwatch
who run similar expeditions.
http://www.earthwatch.org/australia/expeditions/
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

35. Earthwatch Great Otway NP
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 & 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.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

36. Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

37. Australian National Landscapes
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

38. Scenic Rim
Green Cauldron National Landscape
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

39. Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

40. ‘Values Based’ Philanthropy Opportunities
linked to Ecotourism
Royalty payments from tour operators
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
Field Research ‘experiential’ tourism
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

41. Leisure Solutions®
Philanthropy Vision
Now:
To act ‘on call’ as an interested sponsor of threatened
species wildlife conservation projects which have
(preferably) 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.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

42. Take Aways
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 Foundation is a leading NGO providing a vehicle for
ecotourism driven philanthropy.
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

43. Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970

44. For more information about the
Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife
• 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 and
sbradshaw@fnpw.org.au
Wildlife Tourism Australia Workshop | Caring for Australia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage since 1970