An Island of two halves

Brownsea Island: Ecotourism Destination?

Masters Programme “Sustainable Tourism Management” Prof. Dr. W, Strasdas

Module: Ecotourism and Rural Tourism Winter Semester 2004

Morwenna Parkyn

(04.03.05)

Contents

1) Introduction.......................................................................................................2 2) Ecotourism........................................................................................................3

2.1) Ecotourism past and present. ................................................................................................3

2.2) What is ecotourism? ..............................................................................................................4 2.3) Ecotourism and Protected Areas...........................................................................................8

3) Brownsea Island .............................................................................................10

3.1) Situation and History........................................................................................................... 10

3.2) The National Trust and its half of Brownsea Island. ........................................................... 11

3.2.1) The National Trust........................................................................................................ 11 3.2.2) The National Trust on Brownsea Island....................................................................... 12

4.3) The Dorset Wildlife Trust and its half of Brownsea Island.................................................. 13

4.3.1) The Dorset Wildlife Trust.............................................................................................. 13 4.3.2) The Dorset Wildlife Trust on Brownsea Island............................................................. 14

4) Brownsea Island: Ecotourism Destination? ....................................................15

4.1) Nature Based Tourism on Brownsea.................................................................................. 15

4.2) The Islands contribution to the Conservation of Biodiversity.............................................. 16

4.3) Brownsea Island’s interpretation/ learning experience....................................................... 16

4.4) Minimal impact management on the island ........................................................................ 17

4.5) Participation and cooperation on Brownsea ....................................................................... 18 5) Conclusion......................................................................................................18 6) Bibliography 7) Appendices

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1) Introduction.

Ecotourism has a variety of definitions and interpretations but according to the World Tourism

Organisation (WTO) eco-tourism is “all forms of tourism in which the main motivation of tourists is

the observation and appreciation of nature, which contributes to its conservation, and which

minimises minimizes negative impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment where it

takes place” (WTO, 2002. p 9). The difference in definition can lead to so called “greenwashing”, the misuse of the term

ecotourism1, by certain establishments. There are, however, basic characteristics of ecotourism,

which can ascertain whether or no a business is worthy of the term ecotourism.

Ecotourism is an important segment of sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism involves the

correct management of ecological, economical and socio-cultural elements involved in tourism.

Emphasis is laid on long term planning and in looking to the future to ensure that the resources

found on the earth today will be available for tomorrow’s generations.

“Tourism can be a threat or a tool to sustainable development” (Buckley, 2003. p.219). With the

huge increase in tourism over the last few decades and the consequential threat to the

environment and the local people within a tourism destination, sustainable and ecotourism are

seen as forms of tourism, which can help to change the direction of mainstream tourism. They do

this by reducing the damage to the environement, which can be caused by tourists and tourism

products and by encouraging a sustainable approach to tourism. Both are “dynamic concepts

striving to make tourism a positive force for nature conservation and sustainable development”

(Strasdas, 2002. p 6). Ecotourism can be applied to many tourism enterprises or organisations. Protected Areas (PA)

are an entity, which compliments ecotourism very well, if they are managed and developed

following the principles of ecotourism (see part 2.2), are Protected Areas (PA). The two can

benefit from each other considerably if a good balance between the conservation of the PA’s and

the tourism are found.There are various types of PA all over the world and in each different forms

of wildlife and habitats are conserved and differing levels of tourism are allowed to take place

within their boundaries. Combining these two phenomena requires a good balance of both and as

well as good management and planning within the PA.

This essay looks specifically at the example of the PA Brownsea Island, a small island situated off

the south coast of England. It is a well known tourism destination owned by the National Trust

(NT)2. It is not know as or described as an ecotourism destination but there is evidence, in the

way it is run, which suggests that ecotourism could be used to describe the type of tourism on the

island. By examining the tourism and other activities and features on the Island as well as looking

1 Buckley, 2003. pxiv 2 More details in part 3.2.1

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closer at the Island in terms of the ecotourism criteria, this essay aims to assess and analyse

whether Brownsea Island can be described as an eco tourism destination.

Chapter 2 will examine the term ecotourism and its development in more detail and will introduce

the topic of Protected Areas and attempt to describe what they are. Brownsea Island is first

introduced properly in chapter 3, where its history and situation today will be observed and where

the two halves of the island will be looked at closely. Chapter 4 uses the basic criteria of

ecotourism applied to Brownsea Island to analyse whether or not Brownsea is an ecotourism

destination.

2) Ecotourism

This section examines the term Ecotourism in more detail. It follows the development of

Ecotourism from 1965 up to present day and looks at the role it plays and its importance in the

world today. It then attempts to define ecotourism and explore in more detail what ecotourism

actually is. The third part of section two introduces the topic of PA’s and explores the relationship

between PA’s and ecotourism.

2.1) Ecotourism past and present.

The origins of the term Ecotourism are unclear but various sources which suggest that it was first

coined by Dr. Nicholas Hetzer3 in 1965. As a concept and market segment, it developed through

the 1970s and 1980s with the environment movement and the first formal definition4 of

ecotourism is said to have been from Ceballos-Lascuráin5 in 1987. In the 1990s the use of the

term ecotourism increased dramatically. It was at first used primarily by American conservation

NGOs (WWF 1990) but gained widespread recognition across the globe, through the

development of organisations such as The International Ecotourism Society (1991) and a number

of conventions such as “The Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 or the “Berlin Declaration

on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Tourism” in 1997. Perhaps the event, which proved just

how important ecotourism has become was the declaration of 2002 as the “International Year of

Ecotourism”.

3 Founder of Forum International Travel, an American tour operator specialising in adventure, nature and cultural travel (http://www.foruminternational.com/afewwords.shtml). 4 “Travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objective of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas” (Weaver, D, 2001. p5). 5 Expert in eco and cultural tourism and director General of the Program of International Consultancy on Ecotourism (PICE) as well as Special Advisor on Ecotourism to IUCN (The World Conservation Union) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), (http://www.ceballos-lascurain.com/english/news.htm).

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Today Ecotourism is an important market segment of sustainable tourism. Unfortunately, there

have been no studies done, which have produced reliable facts or figures about ecotourism as a

market segment. Most of the data which has been collected refers to nature based tourism6, a

larger tourism segment, of which ecotourism is considered to be a “speciality segment”.

According to the WTO and other sources, approximately 7% of all international travel expenditure

is created by nature tourism and is experiencing a growth rate per year of between 10% and

30%. Between 40 – 60% of all tourists are considered to be nature tourists and between 20-40%

are wildlife tourists7.

Ecotourism’s role in the world of tourism has become increasingly important over the last twenty

years, particularly where sustainable tourism is concerned. Through following the same principles

as and being closely linked to sustainable tourism, it plays a leading role in the acceptance of the

principles of sustainability through the introduction of sustainability practices into the tourism

sector and through changing peoples behaviour in regard to environmental conservation. The future outlook for ecotourism appears to be good. It is a tourism sector which has found itself

a strong niche in the tourism market and its principles, practices and relationship to sustainable

tourism will ensure that it continues to grow and be an important form of tourism, at least in this

day and age.

2.2) What is ecotourism?

The widespread popularity of ecotourism has, as mentioned in the introduction, resulted in many

different definitions and interpretations of the concept which are used diversely by various

stakeholders. These definitions differ not only in their focus on specific ecotourism criteria but

also depending on the region of the world where the ecotourism takes place as well as with the

type of organisation that is defining the term.

Probably one of the most widely acknowledged definition’s of ecotourism today is that of The

International Ecotourism Society (TIES), who believe that Ecotourism is “responsible travel to

natural areas that conserves the environment and promotes the well-being of local people”

(Strasdas 2002, p.5).

The term Ecotourism can refer to a concept and/or to a market segment. The concept of

ecotourism refers to the relationship of ecotourism to and its position within sustainable tourism.

Ecotourism incorporates different forms of tourism, namely rural, nature and cultural tourism.

Diagram 1 shows the position of ecotourism as a concept more clearly.

6 “…a form of travel to natural areas where the experience and appreciation of nature and natural phenomena is the prime motivation for visiting these places” (Strasdas, 2002. p.5). 7 Ecotourism Statistical Fact Sheet, p1 (http://www.ecotourism.org/research/stats/files/stats.pdf)

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Diagram 1: Ecotourism as a concept (http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/about/iye.htm#whatis).

The concept of ecotourism also refers to the basic elements of ecotourism. The list of criteria

which follows is adapted from the WTO8.and a list in “Case Studies in Ecotourism”, Buckley,

2003. p.xiii.

Ecotourism;

• Involves products which are based on nature

• Contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity,

• Includes an (environmental) interpretation/ learning experience,

• Uses minimal impact management to ensure as little use of natural resources as

possible.

• Stresses local participation, ownership and business opportunities, particularly for rural

people and cooperation with all stakeholders involved, as well as the importance of

sustaining the well being of local people.

• Involves responsible action on the part of tourists and the tourism industry,

• Is delivered primarily to small groups by small scale businesses,

Another feature which all definitions of ecotourism tend to share is that it is a form of nature

based tourism. Other forms of nature based tourism include adventure, nature and rural tourism.

The relationship between ecotourism, nature tourism, sustainable tourism and other forms of

tourism is shown clearly in diagram 2.

8 www.world-tourism.org/ sustainable/IYE/quebec/anglais/declaration.html

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Diagram 2: Ecotourism in comparison with other forms of tourism

Source: Strasdas, 2001. p8 Ecotourism as a market segment is a small industry, which is increasing its market volume at a

fast rate and is usually marketed as nature based tourism. The different definitions and uses of

the term ecotourism as well as the fact that ecotourism is used mainly as a marketing instrument

by the private sector, who don’t consider the background meaning of ecotourism, means that

some products and businesses on the market just use the term as a marketing tool although their

practices are not classified as ecotourism.

Ecotourism is considered part of the tourism segment “nature tourism”, along with adventure

tourism. It also has strong links to cultural and rural tourism, because many ecotourism products

and activities involve activities in these areas. See diagram 3 for an overview of ecotourism as a

market segment in relation to other types of tourism.

Diagram 3: Ecotourism as a Market Segment.

(http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/about/iye.htm#whatis)

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Ecotourism “concentrates on leading and accommodating small groups in natural areas in an

educational manner through interpretive materials and local specialist guides”9 Experiencing

nature, especially observing wildlife, and education are considered to be key parts of the

ecotourism experience.

There are a number of ecotourism principles, or criteria, which underlie the concept of

ecotourism, distinguish it from the general concepts or principles of sustainable tourism. The

criteria can be used as guidelines in defining whether a business or product is actually ecotourism

or not. These principles state that ecotourism;

• Contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage,

• Includes local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation,

and contributes to their wellbeing,

• Interprets the natural and cultural heritage to visitors and

• Lends itself better to independent travellers, as well as to organized tours for small sized

groups.

It is very difficult for a business or organisation to fulfil all the criteria. The number of cases that

have managed to do this are very low.

The objectives of ecotourism are linked strongly to its principles and include the minimisation of

environmental impacts, social and cultural compatibility and political empowerment, financial

contribution to protected area management and conservation, the generation of benefits to local

communities and the creation of environmental awareness. Ecotourism as a business should

strive to be competitive and viable and should include effective management structures and

methods10.

Factors which can lead to a successful ecotourism business or product include;

• Choosing attractive areas where there is a demand for ecotourism.

• Using products, which are diverse and of a high standard of quality.

• Good marketing and communication abilities.

• Participatory planning and management, which compliment each other

• Cooperation between all stakeholders involved.

• Giving advice to and improving the skills/knowledge of the private tourism sector and the

local population.

• Having a long term support network and adapted financial instruments11.

9 www.worldtourism.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/about/iye.htm 10 Taken from class notes, 13.12.04, from the module “ecotourism and rural tourism” 11 Adapted from: Class notes, 13,12,04, from the module ecotourism and rural tourism

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Under these conditions it is possible for ecotourism to help “conserve biodiversity, ...alleviate

poverty in rural areas and…benefit groups of different stakeholders” (Buckley, 2003. p xiii).

2.3) Ecotourism and Protected Areas

Nature based tourism in all forms, including ecotourism, use PA’s as destinations. PA’s are,

however, considered to be one of the most effective tools for the implementation of ecotourism

and ecotourism is also seen as the ideal form of tourism for PA’s. It is a two way exchange and if

managed correctly the two can benefit each other considerably. “Tourism needs protected areas

since they are a profitable visitor attraction and at the same time local people and managers of

protected areas need the income that is generated by the tourism” 12 and the principles and

practices of ecotourism can lead to a good balance between conservation and tourism, ensuring

the minimum amount of impact to a PA, whilst getting the maximum benefit possible out of

tourism within the PA.

A PA is a specific area in which flora; fauna; habitats and cultural landscapes are protected, to

differing degrees, depending on the sensitivity of an area, from damage and interference from

human beings. The UNEP describes a PA as “An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to

the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural

resources, and managed through legal or other effective means”13.

There are many different types of PA’s around the world. Various types of habitats can be

designated a PA and the level of protection in the designated area also alters, for example, some

PA’s allow no access to tourists whatsoever, concentrating entirely on the conservation of the

area, some allow just a small degree of tourism and others a large amount of tourism. No matter

how large or small the level of tourism may be in a PA, conservation always remains an important

issue. Examples of PA categories defined by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and there

uses and the level of tourism which may take place within them can be seen in appendix 1. There

are, however, approximately 34,036 additional PA’s around the world, which are not assigned to

these categories.

To be a successful ecotourism enterprise a PA should include and carefully consider the following

features and criteria.

1) The costs and benefits of a protected area and its tourism potential should be examined

carefully.

12 http//www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/statmnts/pdfs/fogrce.PDF 13 http://www.unep-wcmc.org/index.html?http://www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/data/nat2.htm~main

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2) The attractions and products, which it can offer to tourists are important. These can be

divided into the original supply (attractions which are already available), including natural

attractions, such as habitats, scenery, flora and fauna, the climate etc., and cultural

attractions (historical monuments, culture in general etc.), and the derived supply

(features which should be added to make the area accessible and interesting for tourists),

examples of which are the infrastructure of a destination (walkways, directions,

information etc.) and facilities such as accommodation, shops, entertainment etc.

3) The infrastructure and services are extremely important. Infrastructure should include,

among others, facilities, which enhance experiences (hides, viewpoints etc.); roads, trails,

tracks etc. for getting around; signs stating regulations, directions and other information;

visitor centres, exhibitions, displays where information about the PA and its wildlife etc.

can be found; accommodation; reception area; other facilities such as shops and

restaurants. It should contribute to the destinations attractiveness to visitors, be

sustainable and be easy to use.

4) Information and interpretation of wildlife and other interesting features within the PA is

important. The depth of the information or interpretation provided depends on the type of

tourist. Environmental education is an important feature of a PA and can contribute to

widening peoples understanding and acceptance of sustainable principles.

5) The management of the resort should be geared towards creating minimum impact within

the PA. This can be achieved through zoning and other types of visitor management.

6) Local participation is particularly important, as is the participation and cooperation with,

as well as mutual respect for all stakeholders involved. Local participation can mean

either, that local people have a say in the planning and development of the area, or that

they benefit economically or socially from the PA through various projects carried out by

the PA authority in the local area.

The next section looks specifically at the PA Brownsea Island, which is part of the Poole Harbour

RAMSAR Site14 and is also designated a Special Protection Area (SPA15) and a Site of Specific

Scientific Interest16. Half of the island is a Nature Reserve, which is managed by Dorset Wildlife

Trust (DWT)17. The NT, who own the island and manage the other half, have specific powers to

declare the land that they own “inalienable”, which also acts as form of protection for the Island

against development.

14 RAMSAR Sites are Wetlands of international importance. There are 73 RAMSAR sites in the UK. 15 Special Protection Areas are designated by the European Commission Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. It is an area, which protects wild birds and provides a diverse number of habitats to sustain decent sized bird populations. 16 A SSSI is a designation specific to the UK. It is designated to areas, which are considered to have flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features of scientific interest. There are over 4000 SSSI’s in England. 17 More in section 3.3.

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3) Brownsea Island

3.1) Situation and History

Brownsea Island (see Appendix 2) is situated at the entrance of Poole Harbour and is roughly 1.5

miles (2.4km) long and 0.75miles (1.2km) wide, making it the largest island out of the 5 found in

the harbour. Open to visitors between the beginning of March and the end of October, it is a

popular tourism destination. No cars are allowed on the island and tourists are generally not

allowed to stay over night 18. on the Island so the vast majority of tourists are day trippers, who

come for many reasons including for the wildlife, peace and tranquillity, the events, the beach and

woodland walks19.

In 2003 the Brownsea had over 107,000 visitors, including the normal day trippers, Scouts and

Guides, school parties, special interest groups and people who had come to watch the open air

theatre and join in other events. Brownsea Island can only be reached by boat from Poole Quay

and Sandbanks and entrance to the Island is on the southern side managed by the NT (see

appendix 3). Visitors must pay for the use of the ferry service and also, when they are not a

member of the NT, a landing fee when they reach the island. The Island has only 30 permanent

residents throughout the year.

Brownsea Island is such a popular destination due to its scenery, including a variety of different

habitats as well as many different types of flora and fauna. Habitats on the Island include

pinewood, saltmarsh, heathland, reed beds, beach etc. Brownsea is famous for the large number

of birds that come to the Island each year as well as its population of Red Squirrels, which is one

of only two populations which can still be found in England today. Deer, watervole and rabbits are

also found on the island as well as an abundance of insects, for example butterflies, dragonflies

and moths, and over sixty types of tree. Brownsea also supports a population of peacocks.

The Island (see appendix 4) is owned by the NT, who brought it in 1963. They, however, only

manage the southern side of the Island. 96.8 hectares of the Island on the northern side of

Brownsea is let by the NT to DWT, who run their half separately, as a nature reserve. The two

halves of the island have a relationship based on trust, which has grown through prior working

relationships on different projects, between the two organisations. The DWT is allowed to

manage their half of the Island on their own and can, within reason, develop it how they wish.

There has previously been little cooperation between the two halves of the Island, but this has

changed recently and, as a consequence, an Island wide development plan could be

implemented in the future. 18 There are, however, a few possibilities. These include a cottage let by the NT, scouting camps which often take place on the Island and within the castle, which is a hotel leased to John Lewis (a high street store) and whose staff only are allowed to reside there. 19 Email from Colin Williams, 24.02.05, DWT warden on Brownsea Island

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Brownsea Island is considered a PA because of its rich amount of wildlife and habitats as well as

the policies and practices carried out on the island. Unusually for a Protected Area the different

halves of the Island are, however, managed very differently. This means that as a PA, Brownsea

Island can be split into two distinct halves or zones, one which focuses on the conservation side

of things and puts little emphasis on tourism (the DWT side) and one which gives more

importance to the tourism side of things but also fulfils nature conservation responsibilities (the

NT side). The next few sections will examine each of the different halves of Brownsea in more

detail, so that this difference can be seen more clearly.

3.2) The National Trust and its half of Brownsea Island.

3.2.1) The National Trust

To get a better perspective of the NT’s side of the Island and the way in which it is managed, a

detailed look at the NT, its views towards sustainable tourism and the environment is necessary.

The NT is a registered charity, independent of the government, founded in 189520 for the

“permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of lands and tenements (including buildings)

of beauty or scientific interest and as regards lands for preservation… of their natural aspect

features and animal and plant life”21. It now looks after 248 000 hectares (612 000 acres) of

countryside in Britain as well as approximately 965.6km of coastline and has over 3 million

members. The NT looks after “forests, woods, fens, farmland, downs, moorland, islands,

archeological remains, nature reserves and villages”22. These properties23 are visited by almost

62 million visitors per year, which means that the NT has gained itself a significant role in the

tourism industry in Great Britain.

Its position and influence has meant that the government have given the NT the unique statutory

power to name any land that it buys inalienable. This means that land purchased by the NT

“cannot be voluntarily sold, mortgaged or compulsorily purchased against the trusts wishes

without special parliamentary procedure. This special power means that protection by the trust is

forever”24.

The Trust employs almost 4,000 full time staff and roughly the same amount of seasonal staff.

Each year approximately 38,000 volunteers help in many ways in the running and conservation of

20 It was founded by Miss Octavis Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. 21 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/nat_con/_fs/fs_natur.htm 22 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/nationaltrust/facts.html 23 Pay for entry properties, coastal and countryside properties. 24 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/nationaltrust/facts.html

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NT properties. Education is also important to the NT and over 500 000 school children visit NT

sites each year 25.

The NT has a firm stand where sustainable tourism and the environment is concerned and it

believes that sustainable tourism is the way forward, “the National Trust believes that the prime

objective of any tourism strategy must be to protect the environment on which tourism depends. If

Tourism impacts too much on the environment, visitors may degrade the very thing they are

coming to enjoy. A sustainable approach must also embrace the social and economic effects of

tourism ensuring that visitors enjoy their visit, local economies benefit, living standards are

protected and the skills of local people are harnessed”26. It has been previously known as an

environmental organisation and has recently started taking the steps towards becoming a

“sustainability organisation”.

3.2.2) The National Trust on Brownsea Island

The NT on Brownsea Island strives to assert the policies and practices of the organisation on

their half of Brownsea. This tourism and features on this half of Brownsea will now be explored.

The number of visitors entering Brownsea Island each year varies between around 95 000 and

110 000. The numbers of visitors are managed through the access to the Island by boat, which

only run at certain times through out the day. This automatically restricts the number of visitors.

Fees are also a way to restrict them and have to be paid to reach the island and also for entering

the island. The fees are used to fund work and improvements carried out on the Island. Tourism

on the NT side of the Island is emphasised more than conservation, this means that the number

of visitors to that half of the Island does not have to be restricted too dramatically. Unfortunately

due to a lack of information other methods of visitor management can not be confirmed, but the

use of fencing and signs forbidding entrance to certain areas are highly likely to be used for

keeping the tourists away from certain areas.

The habitats on the NT side of the Island, part of the Islands original attractions, include sandy

and pebbly beaches, meadows, mixed woodland and pine woodland and heathland (see

appendix 5 for examples of habitats on the NT side). Peacocks are also mainly found on this side

of the island and can be seen strutting across the open grassland throughout the day. In addition

to the habitats and wildlife there are also cultural attractions on Brownsea. On the NT side among

others these include; St Mary’s church, a memorial stone of the very first Scout camp, which took

place on Brownsea, the ruins of Maryland village and the remains of an old pottery works.

This half of the Island also has a lot more to offer in the form of services and infrastructure (the

derived supply). The Infrastructure includes a number of view point dotted around the coast line,

and a public hide near the entrance of the island. There are also marked trails for walks around

25 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/nationaltrust/facts.html 26 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/_fs/fs_envir.htm

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the Island and a main mud track, which leads around the island. This is primarily present for use

of the Land rovers on the Island used by the wardens to get around. Infrastructure related to

information consists of, a visitor centre, signs for directions, and an information centre on the

quay. Brownsea also offers a few exhibitions near to the quay and information in the public hides

on wildlife found on Brownsea, an information island video show as well as toilet facilities, one

Scout camp ground and a cottage for accommodation. There is a sweet shop, a tea room as well

as a shop selling NT souvenirs also near the quay at the entrance to the Island. Not available to

tourist but still considered infrastructure is the castle hotel, owned by John Lewis and the houses

of the 30 permanent residents on the island. There are also appropriate facilities for disabled

visitors, especially those which are partially sighted.

Products and services offered on the NT half are mainly the many different events put on

throughout the time the island is open to the public, e.g. church services, performances at the

open air theatre, events for children and families etc. Tourists visiting the Island can spend their

time walking, admiring the views, sitting on the beach, having picnics and are generally left to

their own devices.

4.3) The Dorset Wildlife Trust and its half of Brownsea Island.

4.3.1) The Dorset Wildlife Trust.

In this section the DWT as an organisation will be observed. This should create a better

understanding of how the side of the Island managed by the DWT is managed and why it is

managed the way that it is.

The DWT was founded in 1961. It is a registered charity like the NT, but it is a lot smaller because

it is based in the county of Dorset, in England. It was set up with the aim “to protect the wildlife

and natural habitats of the county”27 and is now the largest voluntary organisation in Dorset with

more than 18 000 members, 38 staff and around 600 volunteers. The DWT also leases or owns

35 nature reserves across Dorset, which are visited by over 200 000 people per year and runs a

number of additional projects, that aim to improve habitats for wildlife outside of PA’s28.

It is one of a network of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK “dedicated to Wildlife protection”29.

Together these Wildlife Trusts form the UK’s most important conservation charity, The Wildlife

Trusts partnership.

27 http://wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/aboutdwt/index.htm 28 http://wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/aboutdwt/index.htm 29 http://wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/aboutdwt/index.htm

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Unlike the NT, the DWT is not a tourism orientated charity. Its priority is conservation, which it

carries out through its nature reserves and wildlife sites, where it protects flora, fauna and

habitats. It is, however, also a firm believer in sustainable development and its vision is “a

sustainable future for Dorset’s wildlife and people, where nature conservation contributes to

everyone’s quality of life and that of future generations”30. They also use their influence to try and

increase peoples understanding and appreciation of wildlife, as well as to attempt to change the

practices of people that effect the environment the most, e.g. farmers, developers etc.

4.3.2) The Dorset Wildlife Trust on Brownsea Island.

The half of Brownsea Island, which is managed by the DWT, like that of the NT, also conforms to

the principles and practices of the DWT. From looking at both the organisations, which contribute

to the management of Brownsea Island, and observing their dissimilarities, it should now be clear

why the two halves are so different and why they require different types of management.

The DWT have leased their half of the island since 1963, when the NT brought the island, and it

is let to them on a 25 year contract by the NT.

In comparison to the number of visitors, which land on the southern side of Brownsea each year,

the number of visitors who came to the DWT reserve are relatively small. In 2004 only

approximately 9,719 people, of the 107 000 visiting Brownsea, entered the reserve. The visitor

numbers are, however, small for a reason. The number of visitors to the reserve is purposefully

restricted in various ways to insure that the nature conservation responsibilities of the DWT are

not compromised31. These methods include charging fees for access to the reserve and for

guided tours, which naturally controls number, there is also a divide between the NT side and the

DWT reserve across most of the island, so that, generally, visitors only enter and leave by the

main gate to the reserve. During the busiest summer months, access to the reserve is severely

restricted for visitors because it is only open for one public guided tour per day. There also

methods of visitor management within the reserve, to stop visitors from entering particularly

sensitive areas, for example fenced off areas or signs forbidding access.

Habitats and wildlife, the original attractions, found on this side of the island are much more

numerous than on the NT half. Particular to this half are habitats such as a fresh water reedbed

and wetland, two acid lakes, created by peat digging in the second half of the 18th century, a large

saline lagoon and Scots and Maritime Pine woodland. Among other wildlife red squirrels are

abundant on this half of the island and can be observed live on the television in the visitor centre

through a special link which has been set up outside. Deer can also be found. Many types of

birds can be found on the lagoon and can be watched from a few of the hides. There is also a

30 http://wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/aboutdwt/index.htm 31 Email from Colin Williams, 24.02.05, DWT warden on Brownsea Island

14

heronry where many herons and storks come to breed (see appendix 6 for examples of habitats

and wildlife on this side).

Infrastructure and services in the reserve are much less than on the NT side. There are many

hides for watching the wildlife, dotted around the reserve. There is a larger dirt track running the

length of the reserve, for easy access to areas in the reserve where conservation work is being

carried out, where materials and waste, e.g. plant cuttings, may need to be cleared away. All

other routes are smaller tracks, which can be used to walk around the reserve. The rest of the

reserve is fairly undeveloped and there is only one building near the centre of the reserve. This is

an old Victorian house, where the reserve wardens live and the lower floor is equipped with a

kitchen and bunks, where volunteers have their breaks or sleep when they are staying over a

longer period of time. It should be mentioned here that all water and electricity supply for

Brownsea comes across from the mainland in underwater pipes. The Villa is also home to the

visitor centre for the reserve.

Information and interpretation is an important issue for the reserve. The times of Its guided tours

are written by the public hide on the NT’s half so that people arriving on the island are informed.

Guided tours are offered around the reserve in the busiest months but normally leaflets are

available at the entrance to the reserve so that visitors can take a self-guided tour. There are, as

mentioned above, a number of hides around the reserve where information can be found on the

wildlife expected in that area. In the visitor centre there is plenty of information in the forms of

displays and exhibitions, about the wildlife in and the work done on the reserve.

4) Brownsea Island: Ecotourism Destination?

Using the main characteristics of ecotourism from the basic criteria listed in section 2, this chapter

will apply them to Brownsea Island in an attempt to analyse whether Brownsea can be

considered a tourism destination where ecotourism takes place or whether the tourism on the

island should only be referred to as nature tourism.

4.1) Nature Based Tourism on Brownsea

Brownsea Island is, as a PA, nature based. It is unusual because it is a small island with only 30

permanent inhabitants and the only area on the island which can be considered to be built up is

the area around the entrance quay. The rest of the island, although managed by rangers and

volunteers, is made up of fairly natural habitats.

The products or events offered by the half of the island manage by the NT differ in the level in

which they are nature based. Some are very cultural, for example the theatre events which are

15

put on Brownsea. Can these still be considered nature based because they take place outdoors

in a natural setting? Others involve guided tours looking specifically at the different types of

biodiversity on the island.

The DWT normally offer a self guided tour around the Nature Reserve and in the months of the

year where tourism on Brownsea is at its busiest only one public guided tour per day is offered.

Private tours are also available if booked in advance.

4.2) The Islands contribution to the Conservation of Biodiversity.

The NT and the DWT are both organisations, which lay a lot of importance on sustainability and

conservation, even if it is to varying levels. As mentioned previously the NT is an organisation,

which not only emphasises the importance of the conservation and sustainable development of

its properties, but also acknowledges the importance of the public, the role that they play in the

funding of the organisation as well as the fact that they should be given the opportunity to enjoy

the beautiful scenery that the trust upholds. This philosophy is therefore echoed in the way that

the NT run their half of Brownsea. Conservation and biodiversity are still considered extremely

important, but there must be a good balance between it and the tourism on the island. NT rangers

and volunteers work together on the conservation work on the NT’s half.

Conservation is the main focus of the DWT, who also allocate considerable importance to the

principles of sustainable development. Tourism is only an issue in respect to environmental

education and the financing their of reserves and other areas that they manage. This

concentration is again echoed on the side of the island that they managed. Visitors are restricted

in various ways and the tours through the reserve are based on the wildlife and habitats found

along the routes. There are also two wardens, who live in the reserve and work together with

many volunteers, 400 – 700 volunteer days are worked per year in the reserve, to coordinate and

manage the various habitats found in the reserve. The volunteers main jobs include: ‘manning’

the trail and visitor centre, conducting public and booked private tours, bird counts and practical

habitat work, e.g. rhododendron clearing.

4.3) Brownsea Island’s interpretation/ learning experience

Environmental education is also an important aspect for the NT and the DWT. Both organisations

see that the properties they manage and the way they are managed, with emphasis on

conservation and sustainability, can be used in positive ways to increase environmental

awareness of visitors and to introduce the principles of sustainability to a wider audience.

Both sides of Brownsea Island have a visitor centre, with particular information the wildlife and h

on each side of the island. They are also both equipped an education room, with suitable

16

materials for investigations and other hands on activities. The NT side also has an informative

video and exhibitions about the history of Brownsea Island as well as information in the reception.

In many of the hides on the island there are pictures and details on the wildlife that can be found

in the habitats that can be seen. School groups are particularly encouraged and a number of

subjects, including natural history, geography, leisure and tourism etc. can be investigated on the

island.

The NT side also have a variety of events, for families and other visitors, which aim to introduce

people to the wildlife and habitats on their half of the island. The DWT offer self guided tours and

public guided tours around the reserve. There are very few signs around the island giving

interpretive information about the wildlife etc. The DWT side admit that this is an area, which

needs to be developed32.

4.4) Minimal impact management on the island

The principles of both organisations means that minimum impact management is an important

issue for them both.

The NT “is committed to the development and demonstration of best environmental practice in all

its operations”33. It has also developed a programme, which states by when certain measures

should be implemented in their properties34. It is also currently looking at ways in which it can

become more sustainable in its policies and practices. The changes which they make in regards

to sustainability will effect and be carried out by all of their properties including Brownsea Island.

Unfortunately a lack of information on the specific management plan for the NT’s side of the

island, means that in regards to the NT this question is unable to be answered as fully as

possible.

Unfortunately little information about the management plan of the DWT also means that this

question can not be answered properly. The fact that they restrict visitors coming into the reserve

to reduce their impact on the flora and fauna is a start. They govern their half of the island by a

five year management plan and is written by the reserve manager, based on present and

previous experience gained on the reserve. It details what work should be carried out on the

reserve day by day and month by month. It has to be approved by the NT, the Brownsea reserve

committee and the DWT council35. Unfortunately this document is confidential and further details

are therefore unavailable.

32 Email from Colin Williams, 06.03.05, DWT warden on Brownsea Island 33 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/papers/envissu1.htm 34 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/papers/envissu1.htm 35 Information from an email from Colin Williams, assistant warden on the reserve, sent on 03.03.05.

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4.5) Participation and cooperation on Brownsea

Brownsea Island is a special case where participation is concerned. The island is inhabited by so

few people that the development and management of the island has little impact on them. There

are probably also no other stakeholders involved or effected, except the organisations which

manage the island.

With the NT and the DWT participation is heavily weighted around benefits for the local

community. The NT has a variety of projects, which it is working on that involve the mainland.

One of these is work with deprived children on the mainland. They have a number of links with

schools in deprived areas of the local mainland and organise trips to Brownsea, with the schools,

for the children, who seem to benefit enormously from their time on Brownsea Island. They are

also part of the Harbour Challenge Scheme, which was set up to give children, from a local

housing estate with a disreputable name, the opportunity to learn how to sail. They are also

members of The Dorset Biodiversity Partnership, along with 34 other organisations, which aims to

reverse the decline in Dorset’s biodiversity through collaborative action.

Due to lack of information, it is uncertain whether the DWT on the island are also involved with

community projects.

People living on Brownsea Island are only allowed a say in issues, which affect their life styles,

e.g. boat times, recycling etc. They are not involved with the overall management and planning

on the island. Locals can only influence the planning and management on Brownsea through

volunteering36.

5) Conclusion

Ecotourism is a tourism sector which is increasing and continually gaining in importance in a

world, which seems to be dividing into forms of sustainable and non-sustainable tourism. It is a

form of nature based tourism, which plays an important rule in sustainable tourism, due to its

ability to inform people about sustainable principles.

Ecotourism and PAs have an especially important relationship. If PA’s adopt the principles of

ecotourism for tourism which takes place within their boundaries, and they are managed well, the

two have the ability to complement each other well, protecting the biodiversity within the PA,

whilst allowing tourism to take place with minimum impact on the environment. Ecotourism in a

PA can also bring benefits to the local population as well as the PA.

36 Email from Colin Williams, Assistant Warden for the DWT, 06.03.05.

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This essay examined in detail an example of a PA in England and tried to ascertain, whether this

PA could be described as ecotourism. The PA described was Brownsea Island, a designated

SSSI, SPA and RAMSAR site, situated in Poole Harbour, south of England.

Brownsea Island is a particularly unusual PA, because of the way that it is split into two halves.

The first is managed by the NT and the second by the DWT. Tourism takes place on both halves

and conservation is an important issue for both organisations but the emphasis on each half is

different, which leads to each half being managed differently.

Defining ecotourism is problematic, due to the fact that there is no one overall definition for the

term. There are, however, criteria which should be fulfilled for a business or organisation to be

worthy of the label “ecotourism”. To fulfil all these criteria is an extremely difficult task and as a

consequence there are very few ecotourism businesses or organisations which have fulfilled

them all.

This essay used the criteria as a means to analyse, whether the tourism on Brownsea Island is

ecotourism or whether it is just a form of nature tourism. Through looking in depth at the tourism

on Brownsea, the organisations which manage it and the criteria, it can be seen that the tourism

on Brownsea Island can be described as ecotourism. The tourism taking place on the half of the

DWT, maybe more so than that managed by the NT.

Due to too little information on some of the criteria, it could not be seen whether all of the

ecotourism criteria were fulfilled. Strengths were that Brownsea Island is nature based and offers

nature based products, the interpretation and education offered on Brownsea and its contribution

to biodiversity. Weaknesses seem to be the level of local involvement in the development of the

island, in respect to local inhabitants and tourism businesses, and also the use of minimal impact

management on the island. This could, however, not be examined properly because of lack of

information and privacy reasons.

With one last look at TIES definition of ecotourism, “responsible travel to natural areas that

conserves the environment and promotes the well-being of local people” (Strasdas, 2002. p.5). it

can be concluded that Brownsea Island can be described as an ecotourism destination.

Morwenna Parkyn

06.03.05

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5) Bibliography Books and reports: BLARNEY, R.K. in: Ed. Weaver, D (2001), The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism (tourism). CAB International, Wallingford,UK. BUCKLEY, R (2003), Case Studies in Ecotourism. CAB International, Wallingford,UK. STRASDAS, W (2001), Ökotourismus in der Praxis. Studiekreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, Ammerland, Germany. STRASDAS, W (2002), The Ecotourism Training Manual for Protected Area Managers. German Foundation for International Development, Zschotau, Germany. WORLD TOURISM ORGANISATION (2002), Sustainable development of ecotourism. A compilation of good practices. World Tourism Organisation. Internet sites: 1) Resume of Ceballos- Lascuráin

• 03.05. http://www.ceballos-lascurain.com/english/news.htm 2) The Ecotourism Statistical Fact Sheet

• 02.05. http://www.ecotourism.org/research/stats/files/stats.pdf 2) Main site for Forum International

• 03.05. http://www.foruminternational.com/home.shtml • 03.05. http://www.foruminternational.com/afewwords.shtml

3) Multimap.com

• 02.05. http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=403200&Y=87800&scale=25000

4)The National Trust Main Site

• 02.05.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk Article: “Position Statement. Sustainable Tourism”.

• 02.05.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/_fs/fs_envir.htm Article: “Environmental Principles”

• 02.05. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/papers/envissu1.htm

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Article: “Bridging a Gap” • 02.05

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/features/papers/islands02.htm Article: “The National Trust: A Nature Conservation Organisation”

• 02.05. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/nat_con/_fs/fs_natur.htm Facts about the National Trust.

• 02.05.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/nationaltrust/facts.html Brownsea Islands main site

• 02.05.http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/ • 02.05.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/visitor%20info/0genframe.htm • 03.05.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/photopages/views/woodland.htm • 03.05.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/photopages/views/pond.htm Article: “Stepping Stones to Sustainability”

• 02.05. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/environment/html/env_iss/papers/stepping01.htm 5) Naturnet. Main Page

• 03.03. http://www.naturenet.net/index.html Ramsar definition

• 03.05. http://www.naturenet.net/status/ramsar.html Special Protected Area definition

• 03.05. http://www.naturenet.net/status/spa.html Site of Special Scientific Interest definition

• 03.05. http://www.naturenet.net/status/sssi.html 6) United Nations Environmental Programme Designated Protected Area Database

• 03.05. http://www.unep-wcmc.org/index.html?http://www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/data/nat2.htm~main

List of Protected Areas, 2003 • 03.05. http://www.unep-wcmc.org/index.html?http://www.unep-

wcmc.org/protected_areas/UN_list/index.htm~main 7) RAMSAR site

• 03.05. http://www.wetlands.org/RSDB/default.htm 8) The Dorset Wildlife Trust Main Site

• 02.05. http://wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/aboutdwt/index.htm 9) The Wildlife Trusts partnership Main Site

• 03.05. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=home 10) The World Tourism Organisation

• 03.05. http://www.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/anglais/declaration.html • 03.05. http://www.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/about/iye.htm

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• 03.05. http://www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/about/iye.htm#whatis Article: “Ecotourism and Protected Areas”

• 03.05. http://www.org/sustainable/IYE/quebec/cd/statmnts/pdfs/fogrce.PDF Class Notes: 13.12.04. Background and definitions. Module: Ecotourism and rural tourism. 16.12.04. Ecotourism in Protected Areas. Module: Ecotourism and rural tourism Other sources: Emails from Colin Williams, DWT warden on Brownsea Island. From the 24.02.05, 03,03.05 and 06,03,05

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6) Appendices

Appendix 1

Source: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/index.html?http://www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/UN_list/index.htm~main

Source: Taken from class notes from 16.12.04. Module Ecotourism and Rural Tourism

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Appendix 2.

Arial view of Brownsea Island

Source: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/

Map of Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour

Source: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=403200&Y=87800&scale=25000

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Appendix 3 The entrance to Brownsea Island on the southern side.

Photo: Morwenna Parkyn, 2004.

Appendix 4 Outline map of Brownsea Island

Source: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/visitor%20info/0genframe.htm

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Appendix 5 A piece of the south coast of Brownsea Island

Photo: Morwenna Parkyn, 2004 An example of the woodland on the NT side of Brownsea Island.

Photo: Joe Cornish, 1999 (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/photopages/views/woodland.htm) The Lilly Pond on the National Trusts half of the Island

Photo: Joe Cornish, 1999 (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/brownsea/html/photopages/views/pond.htm)

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Appendix 6 The Lagoon with views across to the mainland

Photo: Morwenna Parkyn, 2004.

Pine Woodland on the DWT side of Brownsea

Photo: Morwenna Parkyn, 2004. Beach on the northern shore

Photo: Morwenna Parkyn, 2004.

27