Environmental project - Essay Example

?Assignment Two of Project Number: Department 0 Project A canopy walkway is the recommended ecotourism project in the proposal. The walkway would fundamentally serve as a tourist attraction facility particularly to tourists visiting the Tropical Forest biome. Upon completion, the project would attract revenues from tourists visiting Sarasota, Florida. Sustainability of the project is among the greatest challenges toward implementation of the entire canopy walkway facility in the short run and long run (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). The positive and negative effects of the project to the environment are critical to execution. A canopy walkway would help pedestrians, researchers and tourists with uncomplicated access to the canopy of the Tropical Forest biome. Construction of walkway bridges supported by cables and pathways that do not require researchers’ physical efforts are some of the key tasks. Generally, researchers for a long time have relied on rope climbing techniques (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). The economic benefits of a canopy walkway are the main motivating factors to its implementation. The walkway will also provide opportunity for further education alongside opening up avenues for local community participation. However, the project must adhere to the laid down procedures of environmental management as well as forest conservation bodies (Schowalter & Jerry 2012, p. 4). 2.0 Overview of Environmental Impacts The canopy walkway will generate array of challenges to the environment as well as the local inhabitants. The walkway will cause damages to trees and canopy. Such damages would be detrimental to long-term goal, which is to step up forest conservation and other natural resources within the locality and the Tropical region at large (Zeppel 2006, p. 220). In addition, the canopy walkway will interfere with the habitats of various animals. Birds together with animals that live on top of large trees would lose their habitat to construction processes. Therefore, birds of different species will perish or migrate during construction work. Tourist activities and construction process might lead to air and soil pollution. For instance, tourist might careless dispose food items, plastic materials and chemicals substances thereby causing pollution to the soil. Similarly, these food substances contribute to air pollution upon decomposition. Furthermore, the canopy walkway might contribute to an alteration of the relationships that previous existed between competing species (Zeppel 2006, p. 220). For example, destruction of trees to give way for construction work and certain feeding habits. Careless damping of injurious items, chemicals, and bridge constructions may cause significant decrease in biomass and contribute to mechanical damages to the vegetation. 3.0 Environmental Benefits of Project Canopy walkway project has significant benefits to the environment as well as local community. Revenues obtained from tourists could be used to facilitate conservation of the area. Since canopy walkways are constructed high above the ground, they spare several animals their habitat against probable destruction if roads or pathways were to be constructed within the forested zone in place of canopy walkways (Buckley 2009, p. 117). Moreover, people who visit the walkway carry new ideas that help influence their own lives and lives of people in their home states or countries. Thus, environmental conservation would become a universal requirement or necessity nationally and globally. Bringing local and foreign tourists to the area will positively influence environmental conservation processes and procedures alongside contributing to economic development (Buckley 2009, p. 117). The local community through its environment management organization will use funds obtained from tourism to enhance awareness creation and responsiveness to conserve Mother Nature and other inherent resources. Passing over the canopy is not only a memorable experience but also a challenge to people who strive to overcome the fear they have had regarding their heights for several years. Since the walkway is expected to span 100 feet including 70-foot tower rising above the canopy, it would pose less damages to the trees as well as habits of animals living in the treetops (Buckley 2009, p. 117). Furthermore, an imminent increase in tourism would boost the economy of the locals. Revenues obtained from the sector will be useful to the maintenance of the tropical forest cover, natural resources, and environmental conservation management organization. Since they are cost-effective and easier to maintain and repair, the local authority will channel the income obtained from tourist visiting the forest towards other environmental conservation activities (Buckley 2009, p. 117). 4.0 Social and Economic Benefits and Impacts Upon completion, the Canopy walkway project will play significant part towards improving the social and economic welfare of the people locally. The facility will open up Sarasota as one of the favourite tourist destinations globally. Thus, the living standards of the people will arguably improve because the Tropical forest area will receive large volume of visitors, which translates to substantial revenues. Similarly, the walkway shall introduce visiting tourists to the local civilization and traditions (Lowman & Rinker 2004). The public will further derive nature-based education proficiency and experience due to the project. The canopy walkway will provide sufficient evidence to the locals as regards benefits or advantages of conserving Mother Nature. In effect, majority of the population would feel inspired, compelled and challenged to conserve forest and other natural resources. In addition, it is easier to repair and maintain canopy walkway hence economical or less costly to the local economy as far as subsequent expenditure is concerned. Apparently, most walkways will be constructed using ropes and wood (Lowman & Rinker 2004). 5.0 Mitigation and Monitoring Program Success in project implementation would fundamentally depend on the laid down strategies and plans towards desired goals while at the same time considering best mechanisms to curb environmental pollution in the aftermath (Bushell, Eagles, & World Parks Congress 2006). A reduction in the number of trees connecting walkway construction bridges would help reduce damages to the vegetation as well as animals living on trees. The local environmental conservation authorities should establish stringent measures against practices that could probably contribute to pollution. Construction techniques that are friendly to the environment would be highly recommended. These techniques would help preserve the canopies, lives of animals and birds living on trees, and those living the forest cover below the canopies (Bushell, Eagles, & World Parks Congress 2006). Severe regulations and policies would also be an effective measure to protection of different tree and animal species. 6.0 Marketing Plan I. Market Analysis Target Market: Tourists from other counties, states, and countries are the target visitors to the canopy walkway in the Tropical forest biomes of Sarasota, Florida. Local population too have a responsibility to participate in promoting forest conservation and domestic tourism. Competitors: Competitors are mainly regions with canopy walkways such as Brunei, Taman Negara (Malaysia), Dhlinza Forest (South Africa), and Kulim National Park (Ghana). Market Environment: Tourism and other economic activities would thrive in areas around the forest with canopy walkways (O'Keefe 2009). Economic factors: The walkway’s ability to boost economic welfare of the locals through revenues collected from the sector would be critical. Social factors: The cultural, educational, and societal effects whether positive or negative will be important factors to put into account. Technological factors: Modern technology would help foster construction process and global recognition of the region. II. Product or service analysis Distribution: The canopy walkway should be distributed evenly across different parts of the forest to maximize exploration and adventure in the forest. Promotion: Media (whether print, electronic or new media) will be a critical tool to boost tourist in the region Pricing: Pricing would depend on the relative conventional prices and forces of demand III. Marketing Strategies It is imperative that the organization chooses appropriate marketing strategies that will help facilitate tourism activities (Buckley 2009, p. 117). Besides, unique nature of the local culture would make the area and walkway preferred destinations especially among tourists from other countries and continents. Apparently, people of Florida could probably be less willing to tour the area until huge number of tourists from different countries flock the biome (Buckley 2009, p. 117). Conclusion The primary aim of constructing the canopy walkway is to attract tourists to Sarasota tropical biome, which in turn improves the living standards of the local community. Introducing tourists to the local culture and traditions will also assist in enhancing spread of such culture to foreign countries hence boosting its popularity. Effective implementation will depend on existing strategies and plans to curb all forms of pollution to air, water, soil, and vegetation. In essence, the essence of building a walkway is to facilitate social and economic benefits to the locals alongside creating awareness as far as environmental conservation and management is concerned. Fig. 1: Sample canopy walkway: Botanical Garden, Atlanta References Buckley, R. (2003). Case studies in ecotourism. New York: CABI Pub. P. 43 Buckley, Ralf. Ecotourism: Principles and Practices. Cambridge, Mass: CABI, 2009. Print. P. 117 Bushell, R., Eagles, P. F. J., & World Parks Congress. (2006). Tourism and protected areas: Benefits beyond boundaries. Wallingford: CABI Pub. P. 82 Lowman, M., & Rinker, H. B. (2004). Forest canopies. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press. O'Keefe, M. T. (2009). Hiking south Florida and the Keys: A guide to 39 great walking and hiking adventures. Guilford, Conn: Falcon Guides. Schowalter, Timothy D, and Jerry F. Franklin. Methods in Forest Canopy Research. University of California Press, 2012. Internet Resource. P. 4 Zeppel, Heather. Indigenous Ecotourism: Sustainable Development and Management. Wallingford: CABI, 2006. Internet Resource. P. 220 Read More