Biologically-Respectful Tourism - LinkBC

Often 8 24.2%
Sometimes 6 18.1%
Rarely 8 24.2%
Never 1 3.0%
No responses 0 0%
Just over one‐half of the projects reported they ‘often or very often” used science to support claims. On the other hand roughly
one‐quarter ‘rarely or never’ used them. In the projects that reported using such methods they were identified as required for
funding or to provide “credibility to change a bylaw” or construct management plans. Scientific findings were used to classify
“relatively undisturbed …biogeoclimatic zones” and identify distributions and abundances of shrubs, mosses, lichens, grasses,
wildflowers, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals as well as providing methods to accurately measure the age range of trees
in the ‘ancient forests’.
The use of scientific reports and assessments provided the rationale for successful expansion of Ambrose Lake Ecological reserve
in order to protect “relatively rare bog and landscape seldom found elsewhere in BC”. Researchers from the University of British
Columbia (UBC) were cited in two projects involving wildlife and plant protection.
Despite these accolades, the scientific surveys on their own were not shown to be effective at achieving the campaign aim. Lyytimäki
and Hilden (2007) suggest that while the scientific community tends to address specific questions, policy is driven by broad issues
and more general concerns (p. 67). To avoid this ‘incongruity’, they suggest involving all key stakeholders from an early stage in the
policy development process to provide the best evidence available, to help to monitor the effects of current policies, and to provide
solutions to unexpected events and policy failures (p. 67). In all cases, use of scientists and scientific studies were part of a ‘bundle’
of multiple campaign tools and activities used over time.
STARTING TO SUCCESSION PLAN AND ENGAGE YOUTH
It is important to replace human capital lost to volunteer burnout, age, shifting priorities, and death.
From the start of this research project to completion, two project visionaries and leaders died and several others moved on to new
ventures. The wisdom of leaders, often elders, was well‐documented in the majority of the campaigns, helping to achieve important
milestones using their experience with complex jurisdictional issues, negotiating skills, proposal writing, and communication best
practices. Efforts should be made by organizations to understand what motivates leaders in order to encourage or retain effective
individuals in this essential role. The need for mentorship is evidenced and as such organizations should ensure that knowledge and
experience is preserved and passed forward.
While several projects included inter‐generational activities, attendance at organizational events evidenced a dominant presence
of elderly board members and absence of youth. Societies whose management teams are comprised primarily of seniors must act
quickly to ensure continuation of important work and bridge the generational gap (Weisss, Molinaro and Davey, 2007). Including
‘youth’ in the campaign can bring fresh and innovative approaches, extend the reach of the organization to connect to new value
paradigms, make use of talent with modern technology, and to replace stale ideas. The vigour of youth would certainly be helpful
in campaigns that involve back‐breaking labour and energy, such as the persistent removal of invasive species.
The Synchronicity Festival was one campaign that made mention of their efforts towards attracting the Sunshine Coast’s ‘younger
generation’ stating they wanted the Coast to be a place where younger residents would want to relocate. This strategy was widely
also employed by the Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project in hosting stewardship events and engaging youth in wildlife‐centred projects.
PROVIDING INCREMENTAL GOALS & CELEBRATING SUCCESSES
Q. 11 asked the respondents to “provide the duration of the campaign or project” Figure 7 displays the results.
FIGURE 7: CAMPAIGN DURATION
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