Submission to the Manitoba Ecotourism Award Judging Committee

Submission to the Manitoba Ecotourism Award Judging Committee

by the Nominating Individuals

Describe the product/service and outline how it is connected to nature and culture and how it is educational. (How is the service associated with nature & culture? What educational components are incorporated into the service)?

Jim and Candy Irwin operate a country vacation business and offer vacation packages based on wildlife watching, natural history education and wildlife photography. Descriptions of the packages are attached. This information can also be found on their website at www.wildlifeadventures.ca. (now on this Website).

Jim Irwin has a Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology and over 25 years’ experience living in the Riding Mountain area. He uses his knowledge and skills to provide clients with in-depth information on wildlife ecology and the ecosystems of RMNP and surrounding area. Winter ecology is one of Jim’s favorite topics and he shares his knowledge of the survival strategies’ of various plants and animals that must deal with freeze-thaw cycles and extended sub-zero winters. Jim is also well versed in the history of Manitoba and Riding Mountain. He explains the migrations and economies of the cultures from pre-European times and how they contribute to the community as it is today. Having been involved with the Riding Mountain Biospheres Reserve from its inception, local politics as a member of local municipal council and the Riding Mountain Landowners’ Association, he is able to relate local environmental and sustainable development issues to his clients. In addition, he freely shares his knowledge of photography with his clients.

Candy has a Bachelor of Education and many years’ experience as an adult educator. She is a lifelong Manitoban with great passion for animals, wildlife and nature, with a particular interest in wildflowers. She is a skilled and creative cook and guests often ask her for her recipes. Candy leads afternoon nature walks, with a variety of destinations, including an abandoned wolf den site, a wildflower meadow or the remains of an old homestead, where living conditions of the day are discussed. She takes clients’ on canoeing or kayaking forays to an active beaver lodge on the ranch’s lake, with commentary on the construction of the lodge and the winter feed cache. She also explains the problems beavers can cause for local farmers and landowners. Guests often accompany Candy while she feeds her pet ducks, goat, donkeys, horses, barn cats and Billie the deer. On these outing, guests have an opportunity to experience country life.

When clients so choose, additional cultural/ educational experiences include visitations to:

The Anishinabe Village in RMNP
A local elk ranch and wild boar ranch
Local villages and First Nations’ Reserves
Rural churches and country stores
Historical sites and museums
Local pow-wows and rodeos

and tours of the local agricultural countryside, which has many old log homesteads.

Riding Mountain Guest Ranch is privileged to possess a 5 year-old whitetail deer (Permit # PL02006) for educational purposes. This orphaned animal was reared by humans and was not able to cope in the wild. Clients not only learn about deer but are enlightened about the sad results of interfering with wildlife. Billie is also a local attraction, often included in primary school field trips.

Information about the area and ranch is available to clients on the website. In addition, each client is presented with interesting background information on Riding Mountain National Park, attached.

Describe how sensitivity to the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of the community is demonstrated by the product or service. (How are negative impacts on nature/culture minimized? Are revenues derived from the service directed to environmental conservation? Does implementation of the service incorporate measurement of environmental impacts? Has any infrastructure associated with the project been developed in harmony with the environment)?

The Irwins operate their nature-based business in accordance with the objectives of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. In the ‘Core’ area of the RMBR (i.e. RMNP), where the objective is to preserve biodiversity by protecting the integrity of the natural ecosystems, their business operations are conducted in the strictest manner to protect the ecosystems.

On their property within the ‘Area of Co-operation,’ i.e. the municipalities surrounding RMNP, where the objective is to develop sustainable resource management practices and, accordingly, local communities with sustainable resource-based economies, their business and land management practices are aimed at passive use of wildlife resources and restoration and conservation of habitat.

In the greater scheme, the integrity of the natural ecosystems in the ‘Core’ is continually being challenged by the loss of habitat in the area around the Park, commonly referred to as the ‘greater ecosystem.’ Developing sustainable resource-based economic ventures in the ‘Area of Cooperation’ that will conserve habitat are critical to the protection of biodiversity in the ‘Core.’ The Irwins believe their venture not only meets both primary objectives of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve but is consistent with the concept of working towards a ‘healthier greater ecosystem.’

Practices implemented by the Irwins to mitigate the environmental impacts of their activities in RMNP, on their ranch and on their horseback trails outside RMNP are as follows:

Clients receive information in their pre-travel information kit describing the ecosystems of Riding Mountain National Park, attached, and a code of conduct, also attached, to ensure the protection of the natural environment and historical resources while visiting the Park.
The guide helps clients to minimize their negative impacts by enhancing understanding of the ecosystems they are visiting and by pointing out the proper etiquette on trails to minimize vegetative disturbances and to minimize stress when around wild animals.
The Irwins conduct a substantial portion of the wildlife viewing and wildlife photography activities outside of RMNP and accordingly reduce the impact on the Park’s natural ecosystems.
The number of clients at one time is restricted to individuals or small groups. This not only reduces the potential impact on the environment but helps to ensure the quality of the experience for the clients.
The nature interpretive walks in RMNP are short in length and duration.
In RMNP wildlife viewing activities are primarily conducted in a vehicle in a safari format rather than on foot. This not only reduces pedestrian impacts but also reduces stress on wildlife. The animals are often habituated to vehicles. It also allows the guide to maintain the clients at a distance that is not stressful to the wildlife.
To reduce wildlife disturbances, whispering or talking in a quiet voice is encouraged in the presence of wild mammals and on nature walks. Nature walks are conducted in a slow, easy, stop-and-go manner. When animals are encountered during walks and the animal demonstrates signs of stress, the observers are signaled to freeze and not to stare directly at the animal. If the animals do not show signs of relaxing almost immediately, then the observers are signaled to back away.
Actively denning mammals or nesting birds are not disturbed and special care is given to avoid stressful situations involving parents with young. Repetitive visits to the same places in RMNP at the same time of day are minimized to prevent the possibility of repeatedly disturbing feeding patterns or breeding activities.
In RMNP, feeding wildlife and collecting natural objects as souvenirs is prohibited, and the proper handling of food, garbage and environmental pollutants, and fire safety are enforced.
Purchasing decisions are governed by the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle principles and environmentally friendly products are chosen whenever available. Care is taken to appropriately dispose of refuse.
Outfitting practices on the ranch were developed to cater to people wanting to enjoy nature and view wildlife. This was done, primarily, by establishing semi-permanent blinds for viewing and photographing wildlife in various natural settings on the ranch.
Bear feeding practices, necessary for non-consumptive outfitting on the ranch (and consistent with Riding Mountain Biospheres Reserve resource-use practices in the ‘Area of Cooperation’), are conducted in a manner that prevents habituating bears to humans and feeding is limited to prevent creating dependencies that would significantly interfere with bears’ normal roaming behaviour.
Bear viewing activities are strictly controlled to prevent habituating bears to humans. A set of guidelines given to each client, is attached.
Pedestrian activities in the Park are restricted to designated front-country trails, road shoulders, campgrounds and picnic areas and well-traveled game trails.
Pedestrian activities in RMNP are scheduled to avoid high traffic times on trails.
Pedestrian and horse riding activities are avoided in areas where:
- The soils are fragile
- There are sensitive geological formations
- The area is damaged and needs to recover
Pedestrian and horse riding activities are avoided in areas when it is known that there are:
- Vulnerable wildlife situations
- Rare or vulnerable plant species
- Sensitive cultural resources
Care is taken when setting up photographic blinds in wilderness areas to minimize vegetative disturbances and soil compaction by
- Setting the blind up on the side of the trail if possible
- Avoiding breaking or removing plants and
- Not using off-trail sites repetitively

Backcountry activities are avoided in RMNP and activities are limited to Zones 3, 4 and 5.
Picnicking is limited to picnic areas in RMNP. Only Park stoves or fireplaces are used when fire is required for cooking. Only recyclable items are used.
Air pollution is minimized by maintaining vehicles regularly.
Fossil fuel consumption is minimized by using the appropriate sized ranch vehicle to transport passengers for safaris, etc. Some hay lands on the ranch are left uncut to allow the horse herd to graze during the winter, reducing the necessity of operating a tractor for feeding and, consequently, reducing fossil fuel consumption.
All of Riding Mountain Guest Ranch is deemed a wildlife sanctuary where no hunting or recreational snow machine use is allowed. Motor boats are not allowed on the ranch’s 150-acre lake, except for a 3 hp motorboat used for rescue.
A habitat restoration and land management plan was implemented on the ranch that includes:

· Preserving a large portion of the 720-acre property in undisturbed natural habitat.

· Allowing natural reforestation processes to take place.

· Restoration of three wetland areas with the assistance of Ducks Unlimited. Also beavers were allowed to dam up the outflow of the 150-acre lake on the ranch, creating a substantial amount of new habitat consisting of flooded timber and shallow wetlands.

· Practicing rotational grazing and delayed hay cutting to provide nesting cover and ensure nesting success.

· Pesticides and herbicides are not used

The Irwins minimize negative impacts on local people by operating in a non-intrusive and respectful manner. Most activities are limited to the ranch, public roads and RMNP. In limited cases when access to private property would be beneficial to view or photograph wildlife, landowners are always asked for permission and always offered remuneration. Even when payment is refused, goodwill is repaid with a gift, such as a wildlife photo taken on the property.

In regard to infrastructure, the Irwin’s house was built into a hill on an old yard site, which minimized the need to remove trees. The house is designed for exceptional energy efficiency, i.e. designed for passive solar heat gain with R45 insulation in the walls and R60 in the attic. It is heated with a high-efficiency, clean-burning wood furnace combined with a rock heat-storage system and hot water pre-heating coil. The furnace is so efficient the chimney has remained creosote free since 1983. Dead-fall and beaver-felled trees from the ranch are used for fuel. Additional firewood is purchased from neighbours, when necessary.

As mentioned above, blinds are used on the ranch. These blinds allow people to observe wildlife while minimizing wildlife disturbance and the possibility of habituating animals like bears to humans. The blinds are made from old school buses, which as blacked-out on three sides. These work particularly well in concealing observers and preventing the habituation of bears to humans. This is born out by the fact that the blind, which has been in operation since 1995, is less than a half mile from the Irwin’s house and they have not experienced any nuisance-bear problems in their yard.

Jim and Candy make donations to the World Wildlife Fund, Polar Bears Alive, Friends of Riding Mountain National Park, the Manitoba Wildlife Rehabilitation Organization and Winnipeg Humane Society. The Fort Whyte Centre, Oak Hammock Marsh and the Delta Research Station also benefit from Jim and Candy visiting these facilities with their clients.

In regard to measuring environmental impacts, the Irwins recognise that the cumulative impact of human and horse activities can cause soil compaction, damage to vegetation, erosion, geological disturbance, ground and surface water pollution, and wildlife disturbance. They are vigilant for signs of these adverse affects on the environment. When signs are noted, mitigating measures are taken as noted above. For example, they have been operating a network of horse trails since 1985 in hilly country, which is prone to erosion and gully formation. Their ability to operate in this landscape without initiating any significant erosion processes is a testament to their vigilance. When serious impacts are noticed in the Park, the problems are reported to Parks Canada.

3. Describe how the community benefits from this ecotourism product/service.

(How does this product/service maximize local economic benefits? Does this product/service utilize local producers of other goods/services? Does the service provide a source of revenue to support community projects)?

Jim and Candy have been working with the Annishinabe Village in Riding Mountain National Park since its inception. When requested, they arrange for their clients to participate in First Nations cultural learning programs offered at the Village. Clients are also taken to their restaurant.

Candy sells a number of local arts and craft items at the ranch.

Safari tours often include stops at the Lake Audy Store and in Onanole and Wasagaming where clients can purchase souvenirs, etc. In addition, Candy often takes clients on special shopping trips to Onanole and Wasagaming.

Landowners, who will accept payment, are paid for access to their private property for viewing and photographing wildlife.

Both Candy and Jim are diligent about referrals to other businesses, close by and in our mutual associations, ie.

· RMGR doesn’t accommodate hunters or offer bed & breakfast but will refer inquiries to local businesses which do.

· Self-drive clients are often referred to other Manitoba Country Vacation Association members

· Inquiries for tours the ranch cannot provide are referred to other Manitoba tour operators

Locally grown products are always the first choice. Meals are served using many locally produced foods, ie. free-range chicken, turkey and honey from Gibby’s Apiaries, Minnedosa, wild boar from Sunrise Ranch, Lake Audy and bison meat from the RM of Clanwilliam. Clients are served fruits from the ranch’s small orchard and Candy’s jams and jellies, made from wild, hand-picked berries. Ethnic foods such as perogies and holubchi are purchased from a Sandy Lake fundraising group and wild rice is purchased from a McCreary business.

Riding Mountain Guest Ranch regularly employs a total of 4 local residents –

2 permanent part-time and two summer students.

When appropriate, Jim and Candy hire local people to enhance the experience of clients, ie. RMNP staff, an Ojibway storyteller, wolf biologist or local ornithologist.

Some firewood is purchased from neighbours who cut wood in their woodlots.

The Irwins donate to the Friends of RMNP Wolf Research Project. In 2002 ranch clients were also encouraged to donate and in excess of $800 was collected.

Jim is currently working on the establishment of the South Riding Mountain Habitat Fund with the

R. M. of Park, description attached. Though still in the discussion and planning stage, it is hoped that such recognition for landowners will encourage habitat preservation.

As well, both Jim and Candy are active in organizations that benefit both the environment and the community:

· Candy is the President of Friends of Riding Mountain National Park. Her particular project is the Wolf Research Fund. In 2002, $11,000.00 was collected from a corporate sponsor, a travel agent who carries the Guest Ranch’s products and from the Ranch’s clients themselves. This money supports the work of biologist and Ph.D. student Tim Sallows. As the director of the project, Candy has also been involved in lobbying the Manitoba government for the current moratorium on the killing of wolves in the Riding Mountain area and for its’ continuance.

· Candy is an advisor on the Ecological Integrity Study Group of Riding Mountain National Park. She also sits on the Riding Mountain National Park Round Table, representing the Friends organization and the ecotourism operators.

· Both Jim and Candy belong to the Riding Mountain Landowners’ Association.

· Jim represents the Riding Mountain Landowners’ Association on the Riding Mountain Biosphere Committee.

· Jim has been a member of the Riding Mountain Guides and Outfitters’ Association, since 1986. As the only non-consumptive outfitter, he is able to demonstrate that non-consumptive wildlife based tourism is a viable economic option.

· Jim has been a member of the Manitoba Country Vacation Association for 25 years. Candy has been a member for 10 years, currently holding a position on the Board, as well as being the Standards Inspector.

· Jim has been involved with the Country Roads Agritourism Product Club since its inception and is currently Acting-Chairperson.

· Riding Mountain Guest Ranch is a member of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Canada, formerly, the Ecotourism Product Club.

The Irwins believe all of these endeavours are important to the future of their community, ecotourism and rural tourism in Riding Mountain and in Manitoba.