A Systems Approach to Ecotourism, Leisure and Education …
269
• Facilitate the establishment of a sustainable public transportation system that
connects the city of David with ecotourism facilities in the region (at least within
a 50 km radius).
• Continue offering experiential workshops framed in agroecology at BFI.
Ultimately, the processes employed in ecotourism for managing programs, staff
and resources will have to remain adaptive to societal, economic and political
changes. The aspirations of local landowners and protectors of natural areas in
Chiriquí to develop further ecotourism as a more solid market niche in this region of
Panamá remain legitimate and feasible. BFI in partnership with OTU is leading this
effort. Therefore, an expansion of its programmes may only become a strong inspiration for others of ecotourism with sustainability in mind. Preparing and engaging
OTU students and scholars in many aspects of ecotourism, from natural history to
hospitality management to outdoors recreation and related disciplines, has the potential to lead the way also in the preparation of the next generation of professionals in
the ecotourism industry in Panamá.
Acknowledgements This work was supported by a Fulbright Scholar grant that was awarded to
the senior author in 2019. The authors are grateful for the assistance provided by the staff of Batipa
Field Institute (BFI) and to the thoughtful comments of Dr. Lubowiecki-Vikuk and anonymous
reviewers who helped improve the quality of this manuscript.
References
Altieri MA (1999) The ecological role of biodiversity on agroecosystems. Agr Ecosyst Environ
74:19–31
Altieri MA, Toledo VM (2011) The agroecological revolution of Latin America: rescuing nature,
securing food sovereignty and empowering peasants. J Peasant Stud 38(3):587–612
Azlizam A, Barzekar G, Ajuhari Z, Idris NH (2015) Criteria & indicators for monitoring ecotourism
sustainability in a protected watershed: a Delphi consensus. IOSR J Environ Sci Toxicol Food
Technol 9(3), I:01–09
Borsari B (2011) Agroecology as a needed paradigm shift to ensure food security in a global market
economy. Int J Agric Resour Gov Ecol 9(1/2):1–14
Borsari B (2012) Curriculum framework for sustainability education. Acad Exch Q 16(1):74–78
Borsari B (2016) Sustainability education as a curriculum emphasis. Acad Exch Q 20(4):31–37
Borsari B (2020) Soil quality and regenerative, sustainable farming systems. In: Leal Filho W,
Azul A, Brandli L, Özuyar P, Wall T (eds) Zero hunger. Encyclopedia of the UN sustainable
development goals. Springer, Cham
Borsari B, Vidrine MF (2005) Agriculture curricula in sustainability: an evaluation across borders.
J Sustain Agric 25(4):93–112
Borsari B, Peréz de Gracia N, Castro Peralta J (2016) Students’ engagement in an extension program
in agroecology for subsistence farmers at the Universidad Católica Santa Maria La Antigua
(USMA), Panamá. In: Leal Filho W, Pace P (eds) Teaching education for sustainable development
at university level. Springer, Cham, p 584
Borsari B, Mundahl N, Morse A, Mutter P, Howard JW (2018) Achieving sustainability in the City
of Winona, Minnesota (USA): a case study. In: Azeteiro UM, Akerman M, Leal Filho W, Setti
269
• Facilitate the establishment of a sustainable public transportation system that
connects the city of David with ecotourism facilities in the region (at least within
a 50 km radius).
• Continue offering experiential workshops framed in agroecology at BFI.
Ultimately, the processes employed in ecotourism for managing programs, staff
and resources will have to remain adaptive to societal, economic and political
changes. The aspirations of local landowners and protectors of natural areas in
Chiriquí to develop further ecotourism as a more solid market niche in this region of
Panamá remain legitimate and feasible. BFI in partnership with OTU is leading this
effort. Therefore, an expansion of its programmes may only become a strong inspiration for others of ecotourism with sustainability in mind. Preparing and engaging
OTU students and scholars in many aspects of ecotourism, from natural history to
hospitality management to outdoors recreation and related disciplines, has the potential to lead the way also in the preparation of the next generation of professionals in
the ecotourism industry in Panamá.
Acknowledgements This work was supported by a Fulbright Scholar grant that was awarded to
the senior author in 2019. The authors are grateful for the assistance provided by the staff of Batipa
Field Institute (BFI) and to the thoughtful comments of Dr. Lubowiecki-Vikuk and anonymous
reviewers who helped improve the quality of this manuscript.
References
Altieri MA (1999) The ecological role of biodiversity on agroecosystems. Agr Ecosyst Environ
74:19–31
Altieri MA, Toledo VM (2011) The agroecological revolution of Latin America: rescuing nature,
securing food sovereignty and empowering peasants. J Peasant Stud 38(3):587–612
Azlizam A, Barzekar G, Ajuhari Z, Idris NH (2015) Criteria & indicators for monitoring ecotourism
sustainability in a protected watershed: a Delphi consensus. IOSR J Environ Sci Toxicol Food
Technol 9(3), I:01–09
Borsari B (2011) Agroecology as a needed paradigm shift to ensure food security in a global market
economy. Int J Agric Resour Gov Ecol 9(1/2):1–14
Borsari B (2012) Curriculum framework for sustainability education. Acad Exch Q 16(1):74–78
Borsari B (2016) Sustainability education as a curriculum emphasis. Acad Exch Q 20(4):31–37
Borsari B (2020) Soil quality and regenerative, sustainable farming systems. In: Leal Filho W,
Azul A, Brandli L, Özuyar P, Wall T (eds) Zero hunger. Encyclopedia of the UN sustainable
development goals. Springer, Cham
Borsari B, Vidrine MF (2005) Agriculture curricula in sustainability: an evaluation across borders.
J Sustain Agric 25(4):93–112
Borsari B, Peréz de Gracia N, Castro Peralta J (2016) Students’ engagement in an extension program
in agroecology for subsistence farmers at the Universidad Católica Santa Maria La Antigua
(USMA), Panamá. In: Leal Filho W, Pace P (eds) Teaching education for sustainable development
at university level. Springer, Cham, p 584
Borsari B, Mundahl N, Morse A, Mutter P, Howard JW (2018) Achieving sustainability in the City
of Winona, Minnesota (USA): a case study. In: Azeteiro UM, Akerman M, Leal Filho W, Setti