Glyn Bissix

Developing Agritourism in Nova Scotia: Issues and Challenges

ABSTRACT Agritourism or farm tourism is increasingly recognized as an important alternative farming activity that can contribute to agricultural sustainability through diversification of the economic base, provision of educational opportunities to tourists, and the engendering of greater community cohesion. Farm tourism activities can include farm markets, wineries, U-Picks, farming interpretive centers, farm-based accommodation and events, and agriculture-based festivals. Nova Scotia is well positioned to offer a competitive agritourism product given its rich farming heritage and increasing pressure on farmers to diversify, however, it is apparent that certain barriers exist to developing market-ready agritourism-related products. This paper reports on the findings of a research project, which sought to identify the issues and challenges of developing agritourism in Nova Scotia from the perspective of stakeholder groups. Through the use of interviews and a focus group using a modified Nominal Group Technique (NGT) process, stakeholders identified several issues that impact on the development of agritourism in Nova Scotia. These include issues related to marketing, product development, government support, education and training, and partnership and communication. As agritourism is a relatively new concept in Nova Scotia, this study represents exploratory research with the purpose of bringing to light potential issues and challenges that future agritourism development must address.

Is this the new smoking? An expert panel review of the York University OHV health benefits study.

Recently, a study by Burr and his associates culminating in three peer reviewed journal articles and a string of press releases emanating from the off-highway vehicle (OHV) industry claimed that increasing riding time on all terrain recreational vehicles (ATVs) and off road motorcycles (ORMs) could meet the basic guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and Health Canada for sufficient physical activity leading to positive health adaptations. Should this be true, this study could revolutionize the way that health professionals prescribe physical activity. To examine the efficacy of these claims, the authors convened an expert panel to examine these publications to particularly focus on the problem conceptualization, the research methodology including sample selection and controls, the presentation and interpretation of results and the veracity of their conclusions. The experts concluded, while never questioning the laboratory and field measurements, that there were a number of conceptual, methodological and interpretive limitations and errors that rendered the claims of health benefits indefensible. Furthermore, the researchers largely failed to take account of the healthcare costs associated with riding OHVs which according to the epidemiology literature, and particularly for ATVs, are considerable.

Motivational Orientation, Expectancies, and Vulnerability for Depression in Women

Abstract In this study, motivational components in me personal styles of sociotropy and autonomy were examined in a sample of 284 women. One hypothesis was that self-validation needs would account for the vulnerability for depressive symptoms in these personal styles. A second hypothesis was that the association of these personal styles with depressive symptoms would be moderated by expectations and perceptions of how likely these validation needs would be met. As predicted, it was found that validation seeking mediated the association of sociotropy and autonomy with depressive symptoms in these women. Another finding was that expectancies moderated the effects of sociotropy and autonomy to predict depressive symptoms. Negative expectancies in women high on these personal styles together further increased the level of depressive symptoms. These findings are compatible with theories emphasizing the importance of situational factors in the onset and maintenance of depression in women.

Disputing the claims for physiological fitness and health adaptations from purposeful training using off-road vehicles

The article by Burr and associates (2011) sponsored by the Canadian Off Highway Vehicle Manufacturers Association (COHV) claiming that OHVs can be used as a fitness development modality raises a number of significant concerns and questions. It is important to appreciate that recreational OHVs and particularly ATVs are extremely dangerous. We know of no other recreational activity that has such a high mortality and morbidity rate as ATVing. For example, in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the annual costs to the US economy to be

Nova Scotia's shared-use trails policy on abandoned rail corridors: an integrative assessment

3.24 billion dollars (Helmkamp and Lawrence 2007) while in Canada, Smartrisk (2009) estimated the yearly combined costs of ATVing and Snowmobiling at

Identifying key messages to encourage minimal impact on the cape split trail

381 million (Canada has approximately 1/10 the USA population). The incidence of emergency healthcare associated with these activities in Canada is astounding. Considering only mobility incidents, ______________________________________

A multidimensional framework for assessing the acceptability of recreational all-terrain vehicle access on community trails and local public highways

This study examines the efficacy of Nova Scotias shared-use trail policy on abandoned rail corridors using a broad array of academic, government and grey literature that focus on trail-user conflict and displacement, environmental effects, health consequences and social concerns that have substantial economic consequences. Based on a literature review, an analytical framework is developed and used to assess this trail policy in the context of Nova Scotias flagship Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA). This is an integrative act, intended to direct and shape all of the provinces population health, environmental and economic policy initiatives. This assessment clearly shows that the present trail policy supporting off-highway vehicle (OHV) proliferation is out of step with EGSPA objectives, as it condones recreational activity that is simultaneously environmentally destructive, a substantial health burden, socially disruptive and economically unjustified. As a consequence of these findings, recommendations are provided which would bring this trail policy in line with the EGSPAs overarching sustainability mandate.

Residual recreation and sustainable forestry: Historic and contemporary perspectives in Nova Scotia

Abstract Natural resource managers are increasingly turning to indirect environmental management strategies to encourage appropriate wilderness recreation behaviour because of reluctance to regulate and scarce resources for enforcement. This study identified priority topics for on‐trail messages designed to influence minimal impact wilderness recreation behaviour. Specifically assessed were minimal impact knowledge, environmental ethics, and self‐reported behaviour of users and potential users of the Cape Split Trail, Nova Scotia. A questionnaire based on a minimal impact training curriculum developed by the Leave No Trace organization was administered to Cape Split trail users, representatives of a naturalist society, and students enrolled in three university classes (potential users). The results revealed generalized strengths and weaknesses of respondents, suggesting that some minimal impact topics should be emphasized, while other topics can reasonably be deemphasized in on‐trail messaging. Curriculum designers may also find these results useful in fine‐tuning minimal impact training experiences.

A forest recreation decision support system: The “woodlot outdoor recreation opportunity spectrum” (woROS)

ABSTRACT Over the last three decades there has been a tremendous growth of recreational all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use in Canada and the United States. This has led to rapidly increasing pressure on local authorities and provincial/state governments to either sanction increased access to ATVs or restrict their use on community trails and local roadways. Given this increased pressure, there is a growing need for a policy development tool to assist decision-makers in making prudent policy decisions that carefully balance special interest lobbying with the broader public interest whether that be at the local or community level, or in the broader context of provincial or state legislative policy. This study presents a decision support framework that guides policy decision-makers to consider a broad range of health and safety factors along with environmental, social and economic considerations. It is envisioned that by using this multi-dimensional assessment framework in an open and transparent way, policy actors will be encouraged to rely on defensible scientific evidence and best practices rather than react to the vociferous advocacy of policy champions.

Serious leisure and nature: sustainable consumption in the outdoors

Abstract Using historical and contemporary perspectives from Nova Scotia, this paper makes the case that forest recreation, particularly residual supply in the working forest landscape, is best understood in the context of conservation practices and recreation home development. By examining Nova Scotias land tenure system, forest practices, and forest recreation demand and other resource management concerns, inferences are drawn regarding the critical nature of residual forest recreation provision and the need for government intervention. Overall, this paper provides a generalized conceptual framework useful for analysing residual forest recreation provision in other jurisdictions.