In This Issue:

• Coastal Calendar
• FEATURE: A Perfect Moment for Mid-Atlantic Sea Change
• Waging War Against Invasive Species
• Statewide Grant Program Successfully Shores Up Marina Industry
• A Natural Tourism Alternative
• Preparing Future Science Teachers for Service

Subscribe to
The Jersey Shoreline

A Natural Tourism Alternative

by Kim Kosko, Director of Communications, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant

Visitors to Allaire State Park enjoy early fall foliage and miles of verdant trails.

     Without question, New Jersey's tourism industry depends greatly on conventional attractions, activities and accommodations, but a renewed interest in environmental awareness and the growing trend to “go green” now has residents and visitors searching in earnest for more natural travel alternatives and tourism experiences. Broadly defined as responsible travel that encompasses natural and cultural resources and conserves and sustains environments and local economies, ecotourism recognizes the priceless value of places and resources that can help relieve the stress that comes from the frantic pace of modern life where rest and rehabilitation are important but all-too-often overlooked commodities. Ecotourism can involve birding, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and other activities that have no or low impact on the environment. The eco-minded tourist often seeks out and attends special events and participates in organized activities that are non-commercial and more environmentally- or educationally-focused.

     Ecotourism habitats in New Jersey range from sandy beaches to dynamic salt marshes to dense maritime forests to majestic cliffs and mountains. These environments provide a chance to visit barrier islands, wetlands, estuaries, bays and rivers, all of which serve as homes to exceptionally diverse groups of plant and animal life. Some of them incorporate cultural elements into their activities, but they often serve as a bridge to a more complete and enjoyable ecotourism experience.

Ecotourism Revisited

NJMSC/NJSG's new ecotourism guides will be released in mid-October 2009.

     A decade ago, the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) became one of the first organizations in the state to recognize the importance of sustainability as it relates to the resources that anchor the state’s coastal tourism industry. To raise public awareness about ecotourism and the coastal environment, NJMSC/NJSG introduced a series of three regional (South, Central and North) large-format, map-sized fold-out Coastal Ecotourism Guides in 2001. Having established itself as a leader in the state’s efforts to promote ecotourism, it’s reinvented the popular, award-winning guides and produced a pair of scaled-down, pocket-size companion publications, entitled Natural NJ: Destinations and Natural NJ: Annual Events. The pocket guides provide basic, essential information about ecotourism, suggested destinations and popular annual events throughout New Jersey, and encourages people to take full advantage of the internet to research ecotourism opportunities and use tools like mobile technology and portable devices that can offer the ecotourist a whole world of information while on-the-go.

Eco-centric Events and Activities

     New Jersey offers a number of annual events and activities and special celebrations where the natural surroundings and environmental components are really the star attractions. On any given weekend during the year there are dozens of things to do to celebrate and learn more about the state’s diverse coastal resources and natural environment. However, ecotourism frequently embraces the cultural fabric of a nature-based location, so widely diverse themes like maritime history, historic sailing vessels, lighthouses, aquaria, fishing ports, sea ports, and historical coastal communities can all be components woven into the ecotourism experience. New Jersey’s famous 127-miles of coastline are jam-packed with these historical and cultural treasures. New and experienced ecotourists can visit cranberry bogs, historic forts, mansions and hotels, learn about glassmaking and ironwork techniques form the Revolutionary War era, and discover a wealth of cultural rituals and riches.