Enhancing Conservation Benefits From Wildlife Festivals and Ecotourism Activities

Abstract

Wildlife festivals, i.e., short-term celebrations of local natural wildlife features, are growing in number across North America. To be considered ecotourism activities, wildlife festivals should focus on natural areas, deliver environmental education, and promote sustainability. The goal of this article is to identify the potential conservation impacts of wildlife festivals and promote ways to improve the conservation benefits. The potential conservation benefits are not well documented and include political incentives to protect habitat, revenues for