http://www.earthrhythms.ca Small group programs - customized & experiential (hands-on). Where: Bay Offering customized small group experiences for travellers.
Leading experiential tourism facilitator, presenter, and trainer in Canada.
11/14/2024
This project team with Foodartnature is helping to coach, and create the marketing tactics for over 5 new experiences that are being birthed and will be available in 2025.
Very exciting new experiences for the leisure and group markets - archery and healing with horses (Wild Mountain Adventures), print-making (Julie Rosvall - Textile Artist, luffas (AnnapolisValleyLuffa), and herbalism (Ramblewood Herbals).
These folks are amazing hosts, with legendary stories about what they do, and why they do it. What we are learning from them is simply amazing.
11/14/2024
I had an opportunity to create, facilitate and present a major session at the Fundy Summit last week, hosted by the Friends of Fundy and Upper Fundy Partnership. In collaboration with Joanne Wolnik Ontario's Southwest and Trevor Norris at the Bay of Quinte regional marketing board, we shared three very different case studies for how experiential and regenerative tourism is being invested in, developed and implemented. These case studies demonstrated how the investments have had impact, have launched many new revenue-generating experiences, and are leading examples of how revenue weative tourism is actually being applied and done.
Inspiring work, good people, collaboration
11/14/2024
Last week, I was in the Upper Fundy Region of New Brunswick with our hosts from Friends of Fundy. We tried something new with non-traditional community hosts. We travelled together visiting three unique locations and learning about the stories, heritage, landscape and unique businesses and activities from three unique storytellers.
Hosted by the Upper Fundy Partnership, we learned about the unique fibre business and opportunities to layer in new experiences with Amy and Alyson at
We went to Trout Creek in the Kennebecasis watershed to see how they monitor for aquatic environmental quality, and we dug for dahlias with Alicia at Coastal Blooms in Alma.
This region has Fundy National Park, Stonehammer Geopark Geopark and the Fundy Biosphere. But, it is the charm of unique local businesses, their hosts and stories, the landscape quality of the Wabanaki forest, and uncovering opportunities for experiential and regenerative tourism to be developed, aligned with the SDGs that they have chosen to focus on, that was at the heart of our Day of Discovery. Our hosts also shared their learnings and what they saw as opportunities for new experiences at the Fundy Summit on the following days.
11/14/2024
New mugs and cups
11/08/2024
11/06/2024
It’s great to see a conference start with its principles of engagement and conversation. I appreciate these as welcoming and also as a reminder to how I can be my best.
2024 Fundy Connects Summit, presented by the Rural Upper Fundy Partnership
10/28/2024
A marker in the change in Canada, of how national parks and historic sites must behave to reconcile, reciprocate, and move forward with a different approach to its agency responsibilities to indigenous people, their communities and their places within the governance and administration of these critically important places.
"Message from the Indigenous Stewardship Circle
As Parks Canada undertakes efforts to support Indigenous stewardship, we, as the Indigenous Stewardship Circle, are compelled to emphasize the Indigenous understanding of reciprocity to ensure the appropriate and respectful implementation of this policy.
Parks Canada is the holder of the greatest amount of medicine for humans in this country and for people around the world. The land is the source of healing. I don’t think there’s any doubt of that from anybody who had gone to the land, in order to seek healing in their own lives, among the trees, in the water, on the earth, among all the creatures.
Elder Mac Saulis
For Indigenous cultures, humans are inextricably linked to the natural world. This holistic, reciprocal worldview understands that all beings and energy forms are interconnected, equal and linked. It is recognized that a person’s actions have an effect on them and others. This relationship with others is often described through the concept of ‘all of my relations’. From this comes a duty and responsibility to live in balance with all other entities and respect and care for the lands, waters, and ice in our shared and respective territories. This reciprocal relationship, which forms Indigenous perspectives of stewardship, understands that while we benefit from the bounties of the natural world, we have a duty to balance and protect these bounties.
In implementing this policy and developing Stewardship Plans and Stewardship Strategies, it is important that we fulfill our responsibilities of reciprocity, balance, and respect.
The Indigenous Stewardship Circle
The Indigenous Stewardship Policy was developed by the Indigenous Stewardship Circle
"Parks Canada is the holder of the greatest amount of medicine for humans in this country and for people around the world. The land is the source of healing. I don’t think there’s any doubt of that from anybody who had gone to the land, in order to seek healing in their own lives, among the trees, in the water, on the earth, among all the creatures."
-Elder Mac Saulis
A policy to better support Indigenous stewardship within the system of protected heritage places in Canada.
10/25/2024
There are a couple of new FAN experiences happening in November that might be interesting for Annapolis Valley folks or Halifax adventurers coming out to the Valley for a day. One is a unique music experience during Music Nova Scotia week. The other is a really cool farm walk at Robertson's Farm on South Mountain..
Explore your interests with unique, sustainable experiences in the Annapolis Valley. Created by a passionate community of local practitioners, our offerings focus on regenerative practices, local culture, and hands-on learning. Connect with nature and our community while supporting local initiatives...
10/23/2024
Have you seen the schedule for Music Nova Scotia concerts at multiple venues throughout the Wolfville area from Thursday, Nov. 7 - Sunday, Nov. 10?
Festival Schedule Buy Your Pass Today Download on iOS | Download Android THURSDAY - NOV 7 BUY PASSES & WRISTBANDSA Limited number of tickets will be available at the door $15, cash only FOUNTAIN COMMONSAddress26 Crowell Dr, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6Doors open at 6:30 PMAll-Ages 7:00 PM - Alanna Matty 7...
10/21/2024
I am just reviewing the IGNITE Atlantic Rural NS Tourism Pitch Competition. Wes Surette recently posted how this event now includes judging criteria by which the tourism idea that is being pitched by businesses now includes #6 Sustainable and Regenerative Qualities.
One of the goals of the recent Awaken Conference for tourism leaders, economic development officers and others this past July, about experiential and regenerative tourism, was to invite participants to put into action some of the things that they had learned.
It's been gratifying to see how different community teams, organizations and businesses have seen regenerative businesses in action in the Annapolis Valley and other locations (NS, NL, and Fundy region), and then created their own regenerative and sustainable practices to apply to their own businesses, action plans, and upcoming events. Congratulations! Transformation is the goal of this kind of training. It looks like it is happening.
Judging Criteria
The following criteria will be used for the judging of the regional pitch competitions, each participant will have up to 5 minutes maximum to pitch their idea and then there will be time for Q & A afterwards:
-Innovation and Creativity
-Value Proposition
-Competitive Advantage
-Financial Projections and Viability
-Pitch Presentation and Communication
-Sustainable and Regenerative Qualities
RURAL NOVA SCOTIATourism Innovation ChallengeThe Rural Nova Scotia tourism start-up pitch challenge is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs in the region to showcase their innovative ideas and business plans for new tourism ventures.The competition will consist of four regional pitch sessions,....
10/15/2024
For my tourism and economic development colleagues across the country, this is the single most important conference about sustainable tourism in this country. I have been going for the past six years. It fills my well. The remarkable cross section of indigenous representatives, tourism businesses and other professionals, and the incredible learning opportunities are inspiring. I hope that you will consider attending.
IMPACT Conference Canada | View our IMPACT Summit program or download the IMPACT App for live updates. Our program is updated regularly.
An interactive global map of indigenous nations and communities. So much depth of knowledge, tradition, and lost nations.
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life. We welcome you to our site.
10/01/2024
Over the past year, there has been a lot of good development within the Annapolis Valley in experiential and regenerative tourism. Here is a short video from the Valley Regional Enterprise Network, regarding some of this work, including some things that I have been involved with.
September 2024 - An update on the progress of the tourism project from the Valley REN outlining the work completed and the goals for the future of the project.
10/01/2024
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust does it again, with the support of donors.
"Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support for Nova Scotia’s beloved coast, we are proud to announce the success of the most ambitious project in our thirty-year Nature Trust history – and the largest acquisition of privately owned coastline in Nova Scotia.
Rocky shoreline of Blanche Peninsula – credit A for Adventure
The Blanche Peninsula is one of the last highly biodiverse and intact coastal lands of its size in Nova Scotia. With your help, we have officially protected a large property covering the majority of the peninsula as well as a large beach section on the southwest coast. Together these lands ensure that 1,772 acres (717 hectares) of this ecological treasure will be protected – forever.
Blanche Peninsula can be found along the southwest coast of Shelburne County within the Mi’kmaw district of Kespukwitk. It is located within several Key Conservation Areas including the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, Kespukwitk/Southwest Nova Priority Place, and the South Shore Important Bird Area.
Recognized in the scientific community as one the most important coastal peninsulas in the province for bird conservation and recovery, it supports crucial stopover sites for migratory birds, and habitat for overwintering and nesting birds, including landbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors, continental migrants and species at risk. Located on the Atlantic Flyway, it is one of a few essential stopovers where migratory birds can feed and rest before launching themselves across the Gulf of Maine."
This is how we partially address biodiversity protection, carbon sequestration, and the protection of living systems, without requiring any restoration activities. I always donate to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust when I travel, in lieu of carbon offsets and my carbon emissions from air travel.
09/30/2024
The September 27 edition of Mainstreet with Jeff Douglas, in which Dave Carmicheal from Deep Roots, myself (on behalf of the Foodartnature collective), the grape growers of the Annapolis Valley, and others as part of a live broadcast from The Church Brewery during the Deep Roots Festival.
Our live broadcast from the Church Brewing Co. begins with Jeff Douglas talking to Dave from Deep Roots, and Celes from the FoodArtNature Collective. Then Mains
09/27/2024
Was just live with Jeff Douglas with CBC Mainstreet radio in Wolfville. He’s a great interviewer! We talked about the collective of experiences that the , the and our company have been involved with over the past two years. It’s about featuring local storytellers, intimate experiences, and slow travel opportunities in the Annapolis Valley!
09/27/2024
Was just live with Jeff Douglas with CBC Mainstreet radio in Wolfville. He’s a great interviewer! We talked about the Foodartnature collective of experiences that the Wolfville Farmers' Market, the Blomidon Naturalists Society and our company Earth Rhythms have been involved with over the past two years. It’s about featuring local storytellers, intimate experiences, and slow travel opportunities in the Annapolis Valley!
09/23/2024
I wrote a letter to Pauline Raven today about some of the issues we face as a County at this time. Here is a brief summary of some of the things I shared:
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Good morning,
We are residents of Kings County, living on south Mountain. We have chosen to live here because of the many unique qualities of the Gaspereau Valley (community, makers and creatives, good local food).
We feel very lucky and privileged to be living here. But I am also very aware as a small business, as a biologist and as a Canadian experiential tourism champion that we are challenged by old narratives that are no longer relevant:
- that unlimited growth is possible (it’s not; but a thrivable future is very possible if we approach community building and business development from a Circular economics and Doughnut economics approach as many counties and cities all over the world have done)
- that Council is responsible for making all decisions about the future of our County (they can benefit from more community engagement); we should have more regular community engagement to educate citizens about the issues we face that we may not want to talk about, but need to - more affordable and energy efficient housing; investing in renewable energy; protecting existing forests from clear cutting and glyphosate spraying; keep building on the Kings County diversity strategy; develop a more robust long term investment into addressing climate change actions; and diversifying businesses that reflect more small businesses that align with the nature of this region.
I have been involved with the Wolfville Farmers’ Market and the Blomidon Naturalists Society over the past two years to help coach and launch a different way for travellers to the area to experience the stories and places of the Valley through the Foodartnature.ca collection of experiences. These experiences are different from the old tourism approach which is based on large attractions, attracting large numbers of visitors or simply making money and having unlimited growth expectations.
We have a bigger responsibility and opportunity for shaping tourism not as an industry, but as a relationship between us as communities and businesses, inviting guests to come here for the right reasons all year long. But tourism needs to change. It has to give back to the community. In my view, we need a full time Sustainable Tourism leadership role/direction/staff from Kings County to work with various counties and adjacent jurisdictions to champion the Annapolis Valley as a sustainable destination - because of our smaller agriculture, biodynamic wineries, local culture, inclusive approach.
- by working together to help this part of the Valley approach sustainable tourism in a social enterprise manner like Vancouver Island has, and enable tourism to give back to community projects, protecting watersheds, and investing in renewable energy, while also marketing to the right visitors for the right reasons.
- We don’t need the marketers telling us what to do.
- Because we are not currently working together as community members and businesses to implement a thoughtful, visionary approach to responsible and sustainable tourism in this area.
- to examine how a portion of our tax dollars can be directed towards a social enterprise approach to tourism that reflects a whole of community approach.
We have a new Annapolis Valley and area tourism strategy that calls for an experiential and social enterprise approach to be implemented. But no organization, municipal body, or economic development agency has the financial resources or staff to step up to do this. It’s time; like how Kings County chose to work at developing an inclusivity, diversity and belonging strategy.
We are poised for a very thrivable future in this County because of the people and our ecosystems and climate. It will take a re-prioritization of investments; education; and civic discussion to both define how we thrive, and act on this in new and tangible ways, that will require both leadership and compassion.
I wish you the best in the upcoming election, and hope that you are successful.
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What I learned from co-creating and collaborating with Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board to facilitate a three-day workshop about Experiential and Regenerative Tourism:
-This region is willing to work with its stakeholders to shift its investments, training, and make strategic decisions to shift tourism to be a force for good for its residents and visitors. It’s not tourism “business as usual” any more.
-The people and stories that are found here are about men who make their own dyes and knit, women who farm with sustainable agriculture, a national historic site who dared to create a new and engaging Toy Maker Time Machine experience, an indigenous seed sanctuary experience, and a host of businesses willing to reImagine and reThink “how” to do tourism that has net benefits to the land and community.
-a team of people who created a series of zero waste lunches and asked all food providers to deliver meals that featured local ingredients
-a regional champion at BayofQuinte.com, who identified the carbon cost of the entire workshop, and offset it with equivalent donations to two local conservation areas
Key learnings:
-We learned from our hosts at Tyendenaga why a land acknowledgment may not be as effective in addressing truth and reconciliation, rather than actions that are real and tangible. And identifying those actions is work that we as settler folk need to do.
-We were treated to authentic Thai food from a caterer who immigrated to Canada, and has found a new home.
-We learned and were inspired by presentations from five new experience partners about their unique stories and how they will create engaging visitor experiences that are sustainable and will give back to their communities
-we learned about how and why branding done well, works.
-we examined new tourism narratives are needed that address climate change impacts, diversity, equity and inclusion, collaboration, and invite travellers to be more responsible.
It was inspiring and satisfying
Crafting new travel experiences: Art, craft, business and coaching
Creating travel experiences that reflect truth-telling, real people, stories, with wonderful folks who live in our communities has been a passion, business and evolving body of work with Celes Davar from Earth Rhythms and the many people he intersects with.
Canada is rich with storytellers, places and stories that reflect history and tradition, more recent settler traditions, art and customs, and the innovative and passionate artists, musicians, poets and culinary producers that are as varied as the ecozones of this wide and diverse country.
Earth Rhythms has been stepping into this broad canvas of possible travel experiences for visitors from within Canada, international visitors, and local folks who head out for a family trip on a weekend. All of these travellers are united by their thirst for learning, for re-connecting or connecting to things they value, or different ways to experience a place that offer more intimacy, smaller groups, and things to do rather than just things to see.
As a leader in experiential tourism, Earth Rhythms is an experience broker, coaching community experience partners to create new travel experiences that can be layered into their business and community. Earth Rhythms originally created this tourism brokering model in Manitoba, where they started the company and operated for 22 years in and around Riding Mountain National Park. In 2017, they moved to the Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia, where they are creating new walking adventures in collaboration with community partners.
As a community development facilitator, Celes Davar brings a background in Appreciative Inquiry applied to tourism, academic training as a biologist, and global experience as a Climate Change presenter (Climate Reality Project). He has extensive experience (two decades) within various communities, provinces, in urban and rural locations through facilitated workshops, conference presentations, and 1:1 coaching helping others to learn how to participate intentionally in experiential tourism, raising the bar on quality, attention to detail, and offering clarity about how to craft experiences that are memorable.
As a photographer for over 4 decades, Celes’s images of landscapes, wildlife, and people enjoying experiences are helpful in crafting story narratives that offer truth in story-telling about Canadian experiences that are real, engaging, and differentiated.
