Ecotourism or ecological tourism is a trend towards preservation that has in recent years taken on global proportions. It's a relatively recent form of tourism typified by being both socially and ecologically conscious, according to Wikipedia. Focusing on many factors including regional plant and wildlife, and native culture, ecotourism is a growing trend. This new form of travel seeks to protect, inform and educate as much as it does to profile or display.

For example: in most countries, it is illegal to remove "found" treasures of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece or the Roman Empire. In other instances, the protection of underwater habitats is promoted so that coral is not removed (or in some cases, not even stepped upon).

For Prince Edward Island, ecotourism seeks to preserve a natural heritage and a legacy that has endured for tens of thousands of years. With multicolored beaches of white, champagne, pink and red sand, island dunes are home and host to a fragile ecosystem resplendent with plant and animal life. Preservation of dunes means preservation of a rich, natural heritage.

For seaside wildlife so abundantly alive on the island, preservation extends to bird colonies and to protecting the endangered Piping Plover. A North American shorebird, the Piping Plover's light, sandy colored feathers blend into context with sandy beaches and shorelines, its primary habitat.

Ecotourism on Prince Edward Island extends to preservation of its heritage as with Lennox Island, home to a community of Mi'Kmaq people, the original inhabitants of the island. Featuring a community museum and the opportunity to sample traditional native food Lennox Island is an excellent place to see ecotourism in action.

Beyond the sites and sounds of the ocean, the seafood and the golf, Prince Edward Island is steeped in rich heritage. This gentle island awaits your discovery and it deserves the respect and preservation that ecotourism initiatives provide.