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Jon Bruno IS AN Ecotourism Specialist and Consultant James Griffin Engagement, Ecotourism and Conservation Jon Bruno looks at how sustainable ecotourism can be a positive for conservation All of us who care about our planet have watched the instability and outright war around us with trepidation, and yet, if we are to have any chance of mitigating man-made climate change and species destruction, we must continue fighting our own fight. We must put aside those small differences we in the world of sustainable practice have, and unite in purpose and action. Sadly, one of those differences seems to have come to the forefront lately, purporting to pit conservationists against sustainable development advocates. In reality, the two groups are working towards a similar purpose, but some differences of approach have become noticeable. One such difference concerns the idea that sustainable development harms or prevents conservation. This charge is incorrect. Though they are sparse, one can see a few communications that advance the idea that ecotourism, or sustainable agriculture, or forest farming, all sustainable practices when done correctly, disturb conservation efforts. Those articles that aren’t clickbait largely rely on the idea that any human presence near conservation areas is destructive. Certainly, we all agree that unregulated and false sustainable practice is extremely problematic, but there are good reasons for communities to be involved in sustainable development and conservation, and many more examples of success than there are of failure. Respect, education, engagement from the traveller, and investment, love, and care from the communities: this is the recipe for strong and lasting health for people and their ecosystems. The first, and most important reason, is one that must be stated without equivocation: No one has the right to tell steward communities, often small and in the sacred homelands of Indigenous Peoples, that they cannot engage in sustainable development. Steward communities have for hundreds of years maintained the harmony of their ecosystems, and it is never acceptable for people from outside these communities to tell them what to do with their land: this has caused immense misery and distrust. The duty of the outside expert or funder is to be available when requested, and to respect the wishes of steward communities. It is well documented that Indigenous Peoples are the best caretakers of their land. Some wish no contact; some wish to create revenue for their communities. If funding is made available, land rights are respected, 16 j G LOBAL B IRDFAIR 2022 and sustainable development experts are on hand, most sustainable development is successful. Of course, these conditions are rarely met, which is a point for another day, but this does not give outsiders any right to remove agency from these steward communities. Sustainable development, when regulated and practised with expertise and care, is beneficial to conservation. Ecotourism generates revenue that sustains conservation on every continent: it teaches governments and communities that valuing their ecosystems and inhabitants can be a source of much- needed revenue. Remove sustainable development, the desire for revenue does not go away. Ecotourism gives agency to steward communities and responsibility to visitors. It expects that visitors not just avoid harm, but that they actively seek positive outcomes for those destinations to which they travel. We also know that engaged communiies take better care of their natural spaces. Ecotourism provides manageable organic revenue, incentivising the care of local ecosystems, including their friends, family, and colleagues. Additionally, ecotourism erodes the distance between ecotravellers and communities, creating bonds that engage visitors in a lifelong goal to protect those natural spaces and communities they love. Respect, education, engagement from the traveller, and investment, love, and care from the communities: this is the recipe for strong and lasting health for people and their ecosystems. One of the best ways to verify this model is to look at the nations, regions, and communities connected by the practice of sustainable development. As was pointed out at the beginning of this article, we are in a time of global tension and war. Yet even among nations that affect to hate each other, we can see a unity in the desire to grow sustainable practice and protect our shared planet. Our goal should be to help our communities understand the value of their ecosystem in a respectful way, and thereby create the strongest protectors of the environment on Earth.