Ecotourism as a tool for the conservation of endangered species in the coastal region of Santa Catarina, Brazil

The River Otter Project (www.cttmar.univali.br/similar to projetolontra) was created in 1999. The main objective is the study and preservation of the otter specie in the Santa Catarina state. A partnership with the Ecovolunteer Program from Holland was created in 2001 when the Project started to have the participation of ecovolunteers; from United States, Europe and Brazil. In addition to the financial support resulted from this partnership, the preservation of the otter raises interest within local media and community. As a result, this detailed studied was created to characterize the ecovolunteers at the Project, in addition to the potential benefits and impacts related to the increase of ecotourism activities.