The Northern Neck is rife with beautiful land and waterscapes and sharing that with others has many upsides, including a paying gig!
The upcoming Virginia Certified Ecotour Guide Course 2026 sponsored by the Northern Neck Planning District Commission provides the skills necessary for nature lovers wanting to share their passion with others in a responsible way.
The largely online course covers the basics of ecotourism, essential interpretive skills, marketing and tourism, and more over seven weeks remotely and one day in person on the Eastern Shore. The cost per person is $161.90. Learn more and register.
Virginia Water Trails provides context for ecotourism and this course in particular: “Tourism is a major driver in Virginia’s economy and ecotourism is especially important in rural coastal Virginia as it connects people to the very natural resources we strive striving to protect, instilling a strong will to take care of these life-sustaining resources.”