Ecotourism Flourishes Along the First Coast
by Barbara Hart
First , let ’ s start with the definition . The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “ responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment , sustains the well-being of the local people and involves interpretation and education .”
There ’ s been a lot of talk about “ responsible travel ” lately and the carbon footprint one leaves when flying across the country or to a different continent . One alternative is to drive to nearby states or counties , and while the vast areas of wilderness found in the Everglades or the Gates of Arctic National Park aren ’ t available in Northeast Florida , those traveling to the area ( or enjoying a staycation ) can easily add some form of ecotourism to their itinerary . As a result , area businesses and communities are developing ways to enhance and promote opportunities for ecotourism . Some efforts go beyond marketing as localities and entrepreneurs focus on establishing sustainable practices for tourism and development .
Amy Lukasik , Tourism Development Director of Flagler County , is a strong proponent of the natural beauty of the area . “ Mother Nature is our main attraction . Our neighbors to the north and the south have more name recognition as tourist centers . The good side of not being as well-known is that a lot of our natural resources are tourism assets . In Flagler County , we have a lot of natural green spaces and three state parks .”
Amy remarked that Flagler County ’ s one attraction , Marineland Dolphin Adventure , also does “ a significant amount of conservation and education .” According to its website , Marineland offers educational opportunities and outreach for both children and adults and considers it its mission “ to bring marine science and conservation messaging to the community .”
Amy also pointed out that the Whitney Lab was located just across the street from Marineland Dolphin Adventure . The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience is a full-time University of Florida research center for biomedical research and biotechnology . While they aren ’ t focused on tourism , Whitney Lab has a self-guided walking tour of their grounds and guided tours of their research facility , as well as behindthe-scenes tours of the Sea Turtle Hospital . Those who like to combine their trip with education and discussion may enjoy the free second- Thursday lecture series at Whitney Lab . Upcoming topics for the rest of 2022 include a lecture about killer snails and one about the plight of honeybees . ( One assumes that the
Amy Lukasik first has no impact on the latter .)
When asked whether tourists were looking for ecotourism when they traveled , Amy replied , “ I think they are — and sometimes they are just happy to get out and see the natural landscape and beautiful scenery .” There ’ s no doubt that beautiful scenery , ecotourism , education and adventure can be found on beach walks , kayak trips and trails in the various state and local parks in Flagler and St . Johns Counties . In fact , one of the notable ecotourism locations in the area offers all of those experiences in both counties . The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of only 30 national estuarine research reserves in the United States . Known locally and familiarly as “ GTM ,” this reserve covers more than 76,000 acres starting south of Ponte Vedra , skipping the city of St . Augustine and continuing south along the Matanzas River .
GTM is named for the three rivers that create this estuary , the Guana , the Tolomato and the Matanzas .
These rivers and the surrounding marshland form this estuarine reserve where tourists and locals can find a breathtaking variety of wildlife . According to information supplied by Patrician Price , regional communication coordinator of GTM , more than 230 bird species have been recorded at the GTM Research Reserve . The GTM waters contain both freshwater and saltwater fish and vast oyster beds , all of which are being studied by scientists at GTM and the Whitney Lab .
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