Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecotourism

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a brochure with the perfect vacation to Costa Rica in mind. They make sure that the brochure includes environmentally responsible tourism (ecotourism) after brainstorming what might or might not be included.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecotourism in National Parks and Wilderness

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research a wilderness or natural area and develop a plan for ecotourism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case Study - An Ecotour

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students plan an ecotour of the Australian rainforest. They prepare fact sheets about animals, create a mural, prepare a advertising brochure and a guided tour of the rainforest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Barrier Reef-Guarding Nemo

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore the Great Barrier Reef. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students conduct research regarding the Great Barrier Reef and examine methods to preserve the Reef. Learners apply the RAFT method to prepare a final...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Walking in Other People's Shoes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the story of student journalist Casey Parks' September, 2006, journey to Central Africa with New York Times columnist, Nicholas Kristof. They then act as representatives to the tourism boards of developing countries and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dry Season and 'Green' Season in Costa Rica

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the seasonal changes in Costa Rica.  In this dry season lesson students use the Internet to locate science data then generate data for precipitation. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can Land Ethics Work?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students evaluate the various purposes and issues surrounding the management of a nature preserve. They participate in discussion on whether there is intrinsic value in nature for its own sake.
Website
Other

International Ecotourism Society

For Students 9th - 10th
Official site for the International Ecotourism Society. They define ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people."
Unit Plan
Eduweb

Eduweb: Indigenous Ecotourism

For Students 9th - 10th
This scholarly article overviews how ecotourism is tied to a survey of sustainable development in the case of Rio Blanco, Ecuador.
Handout
Other

Planeta: Challenge of Ecotourism: A Call for Higher Standards

For Students 9th - 10th
Article provides guidelines for ecotourism, definitions for nature-based tourism, current usage of ecotourism, , ten commandments on ecotourism, and more.
Activity
Other

Finca La Isla's Botanical Garden

For Students 9th - 10th
This page is part of the Web of "Talamanca Discovery", an organization that promotes ecotourism in Costa Rica. The page provides information about Finca la Isla's Botanical Garden, open to tourists.
PPT
NPR: National Public Radio

Npr: Cruising to Antarctica

For Students 9th - 10th
NPR presents a pictorial essay on Antarctica and discusses why tourism is on the rise.
Website
Other

Republic of Peru: We All Make Peru

For Students 9th - 10th
This is Peru's Official Site of Tourism, Travel and Promotion and contains a complete official tourism and travel guide of Peru. Great travel pictures, movies and information.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Sharks in Our Future

For Students 9th - 10th
In this video segment from Nature, see the value that sharks can have on the tourism industry in an area. [1:41]
Activity
National Health Museum

Access Excellence: Teaching Tropical Rainforest Biology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explores the numerous benefits of teaching and learning about tropical rainforests, while addressing the bioethical and environmental concerns facing rainforests.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: From Butterflies to Buffaloes

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Nature tourism, also known as ecotourism, is a fast growing segment of the tourism industry. In this instructional activity, students learn what ecotourism is and explore how conservation of our natural resources can be profitable.
Website
Other

Ecuador Explorer: People and Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed look at Ecuador's population, religion, language, and indigenous culture.
Website
Other

Language Crossing: About Bolivia

For Students 9th - 10th
Travel to Bolivia to explore a wide range of regions such as salt flats, lakes and tropical rain forests. Here you will learn brief descriptions about the history, geography, climate, ecotourism, culture, economy, food, places to see in...
Website
Royal Geographical Society

Royal Geographical Society: Kenya: A Changing Nation

For Students 3rd - 6th
Kenya is home to some of the world's rarest animals and to traditional people whose way of life is under threat. Read about the Maasai people, the animals and climate of Kenya, and investigate how the country is changing.
Website
Other

Ecuador: Quito

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the beautiful city of Quito, nestled in a valley at the base of the Pichincha Volcano. Offers good descriptions, tourist-oriented information and links to attractions and hotels.
Website
InterKnowledge Corp.

Geographica.com: Adventure in Argentina

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Geographica.com contains information on a variety of parks in Argentina. A description of each follows the name of the park.