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We go on vacation to have new experiences, encounter new environments, and, possibly most importantly, to escape from the responsibilities of everyday life. However, we have to make sure that our sense of responsibility does not fully go on vacation while we do-otherwise, we may not be aware that the decisions that we make while on holiday can have an impact on our destination's natural environment, as well as have implications for climate change and other global environmental issues.
When considering visiting a province as lush in natural resources as Ontario, it may be a good time to reconsider the way you plan your vacation. Combined, the Great Lakes (4 out of 5 which straddle the border between The US and Ontario) make up a staggering 1 / 5th of the world's fresh surface water. 66% of Ontario is classified as forest land, totaling roughly 2% of the world's forests. Ontario's varied landscape and geography support habitat for over 3,3000 species of plants, 160 species of fish, 400 species of birds, and over 80 species of mammals. A trip to Ontario should involve an enjoyment of its rich forests, glittering fresh water lakes, and large populations of indigenous wildlife species. However, you should celebrate this natural splendor by taking the proper steps to help ensure that these pleasures (and their overeaching climatic benefits) will be available for future generations to come.
Although, through Canada's Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario encourages tour companies to lessen the impact of visitors to its provincial parks, some companies are still more environmentally friendly than others, so be sure to apply care when choosing your travel packages. Here are some eco-friendly options:
Photography
Many ecotourism packages center around wildlife photography, as mere observation causes minimal damage to the environment. The 2,946-square mile Algonquin Provincial Park west of Ottawa is home to an abundance of geese, loons, ducks, and other waterfowl, as well moose, deer, and bears. Outfitters are available to connect you with photography adventures and ecotours in the area that include backpacking and bike trail climbs.
Houseboating
Renting a houseboat is a relaxing way to decrease the degree to which you disturb the natural wilderness. About 90 miles north of the border, house rents allow visitors to fish for muskie, trout, walleye, bass and crappie. For a less intrusive option, you can also enjoy spotting beavers, moose, deer and bears on the shoreline.
Camping and Nature Tours
Making up over 50% of Ontario, and stretching across its entire width, the Boreal Forest is a natural haven that campers would be grizzly they had missed. There are many outfits offering a combination of ecotourism and luxurious camping within the Boreal Forest, some offering seven-day, six-night packages that include tent camping and nature tours of the area. Tour goers partake in hiking, photography, canoeing, and much more. If you are interested in finding more civilized accommodations, there are plenty of cottage rentals in Ontario forests and on shorelines; most Ontarians would assure you that their province truly is Cottage Country. Be sure to inquire rental owners about what steps they are taking to minimize minimize damage to the environment.
Canoeing
Go to Temagami and learn how to make a canvas-covered cedar strip canoe, windsurf or kiteboard the winding lakes that surround the area, fire up the BBQ and nestle into one of the fully furnished, spacious cottage rentals Ontario has to offer right on Temagami Lake's shoreline, many with their own private dock and outdoor gas barbecue.
As a final tip, an eco-friendly Ontario vacation would certainly not be complete without a visit one of the provinces of many national parks and protected areas, which cover over 9 million hectares, and include impressive old growth forests, woodland caribou ranges, wilderness rivers, wetlands and habit for rare and endangered plants and animals. Visiting such environments serve as an unavoidable and unforgivable reminder of what sort of natural majesty eco-friendly choices strive to preserve in the first place.
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Source by Joey Farber
