By Chris Desmond

Science and conservation groups around the world are struggling to keep up with the rate of climate change and it’s effects on the globe. These groups also struggle with budget limitations effecting the time and range of survey work in the field. The iEco-Reporter Program, using eco-tour operators and the general public, offers one additional tool to assist them in extending their research. At the same time, it engages and educates the public in this much needed work and the need for sustainability, conservation and preservation.

Using the combination of the Internet, social networks, GPS/cellular phone technology and digital cameras, iEco-Reporter will provide a bridge for travelers, locals, eco-tourists and eco-tour operators to share their photos and comments with science, conservation groups, universities and resource managers. Four basic, valuable field survey items can be obtained: 1) digital photos, 2) location, GPS or landmark location 3) time of sighting/photo and 4) observations.

Imagine an eco-tour group hiking a back trail in Costa Rica and photographing a Howler Monkey or a traveler or resident in New York City photographing “Pale Male”, the red-tailed hawk who lives over Central Park. Soon, both of them will be able to not only share their photos with friends, but with those that can use them for species population estimates, movement, distribution and behavior.

Initially, iEco-Reporter will be only available through selected eco-tour operators. For instance, the eco-tour operator in Costa Rica would be able to offer its eco-tourists the opportunity to participate in local research and conservation efforts by sharing photos, place, time and observations with the University of Costa Rica and other wildlife researchers worldwide.

Responsible eco-tour operators, through iEco-Reporter, are the perfect support vehicle for extending field survey work. In most instances, they travel in the same areas as researchers and, in most instances, they travel these areas far more frequently. It is this frequency that is a major strength.

Participation in the iEco-Reporter program for eco-tour operators will be through iEco-Reporter.com, iEco-Reporter.mobi and appropriate social network sites. As eco-tour operators join the program, specific wildlife of interest will be identified, and related local and global research and conservation organizations invited to participate.

As the program develops, broader participation will be offered to the general public including travelers and locals. As with eco-tour operators, the program will be available to them through iEco-Reorter websites, and the social networks such as Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter where iEco-Reporter will have presence.

This Summer, iEco-Reporter will be launched on a full scale test in Southwest Florida. Initially, the launch will focus on dolphin sightings in assisting the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project. Using PSA’s on local radio, the program will encourage boaters, travelers and residents to participate. Prior to submitting their photos/comments, iEco-Reporters will be required to “Agree” that their actions, while taking photos, are consistent with the Ecotourism Code of Conduct and, in this case, the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition to iEco-Reporter.com and mobi, a full range of social networks will be used to market and participate in the program.

iEco-Reporter is managed and operated by Sea Excursions, Inc., whose motive is to bring the general public forward in the understanding of nature and the need for sustainability, conservation and preservation. Eco-tour operators who are interested in knowing more about the project can contact Chris Desmond at: ieco-reporter@comcast.net.

>> Find Chris on Ecotourism Explorer!