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Ecotourism in Central Florida
Defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as:
"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment
and improves the well-being of local people"; Ecotourism is becoming
more and more popular as a holiday choice. TIES believes that such
travel can encourage environmental responsibility and foster
cultural awareness and tolerance.
Worldwide, the Travel and Tourism industry is responsible for over
10% of gross domestic product and over 230 million jobs. The
industry is particularly important for the world`s poorest countries
where it is an important source of foreign exchange. In the past
this has often put whole cultures and delicate ecosystems at risk
from inappropriate development, destroying the very elements that
made these areas attractive to visitors in the first place.
Enlightened governments are now recognising that tourism and
conservation can and should go hand-in-hand.
Ecotourism has made it possible to visit endangered species in their
natural habitats whilst at the same time contributing to their
protection; one example being the manatee in the Everglades of
Florida. This vast and complex collection of interdependent
ecosystems has its origin close to Orlando in central Florida. From
here, a chain of wildlife-rich lakes discharge into the Kissimmee
River which in turn feeds the vast, shallow Lake Okeechobee. In the
wet season the lake overflows, creating the sawgrass marches,
cypress swamps and mangrove forests to the south.
By the time UNESCO designated the Everglades as an area of global
importance in the 1970s, approximately half had been turned over to
agriculture or urbanised. Restoration began in the 1980s but the
natural environment has continued to decline due to factors such as
flood control, the build-up of agricultural fertilisers and invasive
non-native species of plants and animals. New plans to prevent
further deterioration, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
(CERP), passed by congress in 2000 are expensive and remain
controversial, such that the long-term future of the Everglades is
by no means certain.
Besides the well-known species such as alligator and manatee,
wildlife-spotters are likely to see wild hog, deer, black bear,
raccoon and otters in these extensive wetlands. They are also home
to many migratory and indigenous birds too numerous to mention but
including bald eagles, white pelicans, red headed woodpeckers and
great blue heron.
One of the best ways to get up-close and personal with the wildlife
is to take to the water yourself in a Kayak. Perhaps one of the most
magical experiences is a night time trip to experience the
bioluminescence of the water due to microbial activity between June
and October. In the cooler months from January to March,
bioluminescent comb jellyfish are the ones to put on a similar show.
Airboat tours can reach areas which would normally be inaccessible
in a conventional boat as they can go over land and water. Noisier
than a kayak but an exhilarating experience, large airboats can
carry up to twenty passengers, smaller ones a maximum of six.
Horse riding, ballooning and helicopter rides are more great ways to
experience all that Central Florida has to offer with many centres
offering these facilities only a short drive from Orlando`s hotels,
parks and the
cheap car hire Orlando airport.
All Tours are by Reservation Only - no walk in's.
Reserve your perfered time and day by calling 407-572-3561 -
407-572-5391
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