Ecotourism

Lettin' Loose in Isla Vista

Words: Matt Hawk

When most people think of visiting Florida they think about two things, theme parks and the beach. Well, maybe you don’t want to be like most people. You don’t want to deal with long lines at the theme parks, or overcrowded beaches, and you enjoy peaceful solitude.

Perhaps you’re a person who likes to experience nature without destroying it, or maybe just enjoy watching colorful birds, looking for bottlenose dolphins, or petting a manatee. Don’t worry, because you are still in the right place.

Located amidst the theme-park mecca, Orlando, and its closest beach, Cocoa Beach, is a captivating body of water that provides just as much fun, relaxation, excitement, and local flavor as the beach – the Indian River Lagoon system in Brevard County.

The Indian River Lagoon system is a 156-mile long estuary, of which 92 miles are located in Brevard County, that brings in more than $800 million in revenue annually to the local economy. The reconnected mangrove marshes and sea grass beds are nursery grounds to recreational and commercially important species, such as snook, grouper, snapper, sea trout, tarpon, and lobster.

The lagoon system overlaps temperate and subtropical climate zones to create one of America’s most diverse estuaries containing more than 400 species of fish, 260 species of mollusks and 479 species of shrimp and crabs. It's home to more than 4,000 species of plants and wildlife.

With such diversity, Brevard County could be considered an ecotourism theme park. Ecotourism is the practice of traveling to ecologically, or culturally rich areas in a socially conscious manner. The Economist says ecotourism is the “fastest growing segment of world tourism.” For some areas of the world, such as Costa Rica, ecotourism has become a major asset to the local economy, as well as helping to preserve the natural surroundings. Florida state officials estimate that ecotourism contributes $477 million a year to the state’s economy.

Several businesses in Brevard County cater specifically to this demographic. Companies like Cocoa Beach Kayaking offer guided tours through the mangroves and sea grass. These areas are a local habitat for dolphins and friendly manatees, more commonly referred to as sea cows.

Biolumiscence is created from plankton that store energy from the sun and then releases it in the form of magnificent displays of light at night.

Blazing Paddles' website says that fish not visible during the day, are exposed at night by the bioluminescence; dolphins appear as huge "glowing torpedoes," manatees are "ghostly underwater blobs of light," and schools of fish look like "fireworks" as they scatter around.

This is a must-do. Personally, paddling or swimming in bioluminescence is one of the most unforgettable naturally occurring phenomena you could ever experience.

For bird lovers, a good place to start is the Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary located in Merritt Island. The 436-acre habitat is internationally known for its bird watching, and it has its own lagoon. This stop is also a historically documented town of the Ais Indians. The Ais once inhabited the shores of the Indian River before the Europeans arrived. Huge shell mounds found along several banks of the river show the Indians used the waterways for transportation and food.

Another stop would have to be The Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival. The Wall Street Journal ranks the festival, which draws in between $557,500 to $562,500 per year, as the No. 3 best birding festival in the U.S.

Does all of this paddling and bird watching sound like too much work, since you really just wanted to come to Florida to get some sun and relax? Good news. You can experience the river on a guided boat tour as well.

Dolphin Girl Cruises & Eco-Tours out of Rockledge offer ecological tours along the Indian River on a 30-passenger pontoon boat. Space Coast River Tours out of Port Canaveral invites you to come aboard their boat "The Blue Dolphin" and get “Naturefied.” As you leave Port Canaveral, you’ll travel through the Canaveral Locks, cruise past Ski Island (a local spot for jet skiers and boaters) and NASA Property. You’ll also glide along the Barge Canal, where the dolphins, manatees, alligators and birds play. Cushioned seats are available with a retractable sunshade if you’ve had enough of the sun.

To cap a special night off, take a unique sunset tour of the estuary with Island Boat Lines Water Taxi & Eco-Tour Boat. Finish off the tour with a wonderful dinner at Sunset Café, where the boat is docked. There you can partake in some of Florida’s delicious seafood dishes, such as oysters on the half shell and blackened grouper.

With its assortment of natural flora and fauna the Indian River Lagoon System is an ideal location for ecotourism. Enjoy the sights, sounds and surroundings it has to offer, just don’t forget the mosquito repellent.

Osprey - JournAlum - The Lumberjack - KRFH/610 AM - Travel

2008 Travel Journal

Editor-In-Chief - Matthew Hawk

Copy Editors - Anthony Barstow, Rose R. Miller, and Matt Barry

For a special kayaking treat, Blazing Paddles Kayak Adventures offers three unique paddling adventures: shuttle launch, full moon, and bioluminescent. If you can make it to Florida for a shuttle launch, I would recommend it. Seeing it from a kayak on the water makes the sight that much more memorable, and convenient as you do not have to jockey for a parking spot on the two main roads like most tourists. The full moon trip is tranquil, as the often-calm water is lit up by a lunar glow.

Nothing can compete, however, with the miraculous show put on during the bioluminescent trip. Every move that you, or the animals in the water, make creates your own personal light show.