By Elizabeth Hoffman, SCA Interpretive Ranger
If you love the great outdoors, scenic views, and challenging hikes, odds are you’ve participated in ecotourism. And you’re not alone! Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors make their way to the New England for breathtaking views, especially during peak fall foliage. To better understand ecotourism, let’s dive into the details.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is a term first published in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1982, as defined below:
Ecotourism, n. … Tourism to areas of ecological interest (typically exotic and often threatened natural environments), esp. to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
On the surface, this concept sounds highly appealing. Stepping outside and exploring nature – whether locally or abroad – can foster a sense of environmental stewardship that in turn leads to a powerful desire to protect our planet. How could there be a downside?
A Brief History of Ecotourism
While the term itself was popularized in the 1980s, ecotourism has been a thriving industry for centuries. Take Mt. Washington for example; the first recorded ascent of New England’s tallest mountain was undertaken in 1642 by a certain Darby Field and two Native American guides.
Mr. Field sparked Colonists’ interest in conquering the mountain for themselves. In 1819, Abel and Ethan Crawford built the first footpath to Washington’s summit. By the turn of the century, halfway houses, hotels, observatories and shelters sprawled across its alpine slopes.
Americans in the Victorian era (approx. 1820-1915) were quite obsessed with taming nature, comparing it to a great beast in need of “civilization”. As cities expanded, an urge to swap polluted streets and crowds for serene mountain views possessed America’s elite.
Across New England – from the summit of Mt. Holyoke in western Massachusetts to Franconia Notch and beyond – grand hotels dominated tourism in every beautiful, remote location landowners could buy.
Few of these structures remain; many Victorian era hotels and observatories succumbed to extreme weather or simply went up in flames – literally. The 1920s brought new fads like automobiles and the silver screen, and the glamour of summit hotels soon faded into nonexistence.
Modern Ecotourism
The modern ecotourist is difficult to place in any one category. Some people prefer the “authentic” experience by backpacking in remote wilderness; others prefer to stay in cozy cabins and drive to their favorite summit or waterfront.
Unlike our Victorian predecessors, at the core of our shared awe for nature is an urge to preserve it. Even so, the most popular hiking spots in New England host sensitive alpine zones and are jeopardized by constant tourism.
Mt. Monadnock, Lafayette, Washington, and more endure heavy foot traffic year-around, damaging rare and delicate flora.
So how can we appreciate nature’s wonders responsibly?
How to be a Responsible Ecotourist
The best way to conserve natural spaces for future generations while still enjoying it for ourselves is to Leave No Trace.
Leave No Trace consists of 7 Principles –
- Plan ahead and prepare: know the regulations and concerns for areas you plan to visit, and if possible plan to travel in small groups while avoiding high-traffic times. Always prepare for extreme weather and repackage food to prevent unnecessary waste.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces: always use established trails while hiking/backpacking, and walk single-file to keep from trampling sensitive vegetation or accidentally widening a trail.
- Dispose of waste properly: pack it in, pack it out. While it is inconvenient, many parks and forests don’t service a waste system, as they can be very expensive. Should nature call and you wind up in an unfortunate emergency, here’s how to poop in the woods!
- Leave what you find: as the saying goes, “leave only footprints, take only photos.” As tempting as that big shiny rock may be, it’s better to leave it as you found it; the same goes for vegetation, unique flowers, and artifacts at historical sites. Avoid introducing/transporting non-native species, and don’t build or dig new structures (i.e. large cairns).
- Minimize campfire impacts: use established fire rings, pits or mounds where fires are permitted, and keep your fires small. Be sure to burn all fires to ash and put them out completely before leaving your campsite unattended.
- Respect wildlife: if you can hold out your arm with a thumb’s up, and your thumb doesn’t completely cover the wildlife you’re observing, you’re too close! Keep your distance, and always keep pets on leash to avoid preventable encounters with the local fauna.
- Be considerate of others: blasting loud music is an easy way to make an enemy out of hikers sharing the trail. Enjoy nature’s sounds! Be sure to yield to other hikers when necessary.
Ecotourism is a wonderful way to get people outdoors, breathing in the healing air of our forests, observing new critters, plants, and fungi, and appreciating what we aim to conserve. By following Leave No Trace and treating nature with respect, we can anticipate many more decades of awesome sights and incredible heights in New England!
For more information on Leave No Trace, visit lnt.org
