Sea Kayaking in Nova Scotia

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About Lower Prospect

Lower Prospect is a small fishing village located near Halifax, Nova Scotia. About 200 people live here, in homes built around a protected harbour at the end of a peninsula which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Weather still matters in Lower Prospect. Everyone waves. When someone needs a new roof, neighbors show up with nail-bags and hammers. The tradition of oral history is still strong; one need only stop for tea to learn about some of the incredible events that have shaped this coastal community. The culture here is profound.

To a visitor, this village seems ideal. But its residents are moving away. The social fabric here is at risk of deteriorating. The community is at risk of falling apart. Lower Prospect, like thousands of coastal communities, is struggling in the wake of a collapsed ground-fish industry. It's residents are faced with the challenge of shifting their economic base without shifting their location.

Cultural and eco-tourism can provide a new cornerstone resource for coastal communities who can no longer depend on fishing for survival.

E.C.O. is a cornerstone business

Community involvement is critical to the business structure of E.C.O. Local residents play a wide range of roles. They are employed as heritage guides, outdoor leaders, office managers, cooks, and maintenance staff. The economic spin-off of the eco-tourism industry also benefits other community members. Local lobster boat operators are employed to provide support and diversity to trips. Local crafters benefit from the increased exposure to the tourism market. Local youth are trained as guides; the Lower Prospect Kids Kayaking Club (an E.C.O. initiative) has been active for 9 years, and has given over 40 local young people (ranging in age from 6 to 22) the opportunity to learn to kayak, free of charge.

With a look towards future growth, we have founded the Community Economic Development Outfitting Program (CEDOP). Through this program, E.C.O. will work to facilitate other community based adventure tourism operations in Atlantic Canada and across the world.

East Coast Outfitters represents a universally equitable approach to coastal resource management. We provide culturally and ecologically responsible outdoor experiences to a wide range of people, in a manner that they will remember forever.

E.C.O. is honored to act as a liaison between those who live in coastal communities and those who wish to visit.

E.C.O. is responsible tourism.