Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Marsh and I'm here today to teach you all about economic opportunities and environmental impacts in rural areas.

So grab everything that you need for today's lesson and let's get going, by the end of today's lesson, you will be able to identify ways in which rural areas generate income through tourism projects and rural diversification, and recognise the environmental impacts of these opportunities.

There are two key terms for today's lesson.

Those are tourism projects and rural diversification.

Tourism project refers to planned initiatives designed to attract tourists such as new attractions, improvements to infrastructure, promotion of sustainable tourism, and the development of tourism related businesses.

Rural diversification refers to the increase in the spread of commercial activities, for example, by creating new enterprises on a farm such as a shop or a B&B.

There are two learning cycles for today's lesson.

We're gonna start with learning cycle one, which is all about economic opportunities in Eden.

Cumbria is the third largest county by area in England, and it's located in the northwest of England and border Scotland.

As you can see on the map on the right hand side of the screen.

Now until 2023, there were six districts in the county of Cumbria, and the most rural of which, which means countryside.

The most countryside dominant of those districts was Eden.

And you can see Eden marked on that map on the right hand side, and you can see that it is the largest district, which makes up the county of of Cumbria.

England's largest national park is called the Lake District, and it covers 40% of Cumbria.

Ullswater is a lake in the Eden area of Cumbria and is within the Lake District National Park.

Now evidence of extensive agriculture can be seen by the network of fields.

Sheep farming is also commonplace in these hills, and you can see that in the image in front of you.

So on the left hand side, we've got that map showing the location of Ullswater Lake.

And on the right hand side then you can see that image of Ullswater Lake, but also the array of different fields, which is again showing us sheep farming.

And really the agricultural nature of this landscape.

Eden's economy has changed significantly then over the past 50 years.

It was traditionally reliant on agriculture and other forms of primary industry.

Whilst they are still important, this sector has actually reduced significantly due to increased global competition as well as mechanisation.

This economic change has brought about challenges to the local area, however, it has also presented some real significant economic opportunities through the following, tourism projects, as well as rural diversification, tourism projects in the form of different initiatives which are trying to attract tourists to the area to then spend money, but also rural diversification through the form of increasing the spread of different commercial activities.

So a quick learning check, it says true or false? Economic change only creates challenges.

So what I'd like you to do right now then is pause the video here whilst you consider and then select your answer.

And the correct answer was false.

Now, once again, I'd like you to pause the video here whilst you consider as to why or how this statement then is false.

And the reason it's false is because while economic change can lead to a number of different challenges, it's true, but it also presents many opportunities, in an agricultural area these opportunities may be relating to tourism projects as well as rural diversification.

So really well done if you are able to identify those two correct answers.

Tourism projects are funded in a variety of different ways, and one way is through the local council, which can give them small grants of 500 pound for tourism projects, which are designed to add value to the visitor experience.

Examples in Eden include the following, so Herdwick Stones, sculptures along the Ullswater Way, which celebrate shepherding in the area, as well as Hoff Beck information panel, which again promotes a walk along the stream with information about the different biodiversity in the area as well as other attractions.

All these things then try to improve the visitor experience and perhaps try to attract more tourists in the future.

Rural diversification is often undertaken by farmers looking for new and different sources of income, and there's a great many different ways in which this can actually be achieved.

The first of which is a farm shop, placing a shop on their farm to sell the produce that they and perhaps other local farmers are selling.

It creates income, it creates jobs and it makes best use of that local produce that they are creating themselves, but also bed and breakfasts or B&Bs and glamping, trying to tap into that tourism trade and trying to tap into and really take advantage of the beautiful scenery in their local area and the tourist that it's already attracting.

And finally, leisure activities, such as fishing, quad biking, mazes, as well as petting zoos.

Once again, trying to tap into and create a larger tourism industry in the local area where it can generate income and jobs for themselves.

Rural diversification can be achieved by opening farm shops, as I said just a moment ago.

Some farms sell produce directly to local residents and tourists.

For example, they may sell meat, vegetables and produce their farm or those nearby.

Open PYO, pick-your-own fields of fruit and vegetables.

So people can literally come to their farm and pick strawberries or pick raspberries, pick vegetables, and they can pay for that service and also pay for the produce as well.

Farm shops also include cafes where once again they can generate an income by selling teas and coffees as well as cakes, homemade cakes, which again add to the revenue stream of that farm.

Rural diversification can be achieved by providing accommodation too, many farms now add to their income through providing accommodation to tourists.

They can convert those old barns into holiday cottages.

They can turn fields into campsites.

They can use unused farmhouse bedrooms into B&B rooms. They can host events, for example weddings in the countryside is always a big attraction for people, particularly those people living in the city looking for that glamorous scenic wedding, some add facilities such as swimming pools, spas, and playgrounds.

It's about making best use of that beautiful landscape that they live in to try to generate more income for their business, for their farm.

Rural diversification can also be achieved by providing leisure activities.

For example, farms often have land which can be used for activities other than the arable or dairy farming that they're known for.

Tours to learn about farming and rural skills, horse riding and other sporting activities, attractions such as mazes and animal encounters, as well as hosting local events such as craft fairs or barn dances.

So it's again, once again trying to diversify, trying to generate new ways of making money.

Waterside house is a fantastic example of a working farm with sheep and cattle on the shores of Ullswater Lake, and you can see that they're identified on the map on the right hand side.

Now currently it employs 12 people and has diversified a number of different ways.

It now provides leisure activities through the form of paddle boarding, boat hire, as well as an art gallery, but also it's providing accommodation through tent and caravan pitches, glamping, holiday cottages, as well as onsite facilities such as a shop, a play park, and a cafe.

So when you look at all those different points there, you really try to see just how much it's diversified, it's ability to generate income and revenue streams for the farm.

Time once again for a learning check.

And it says to complete the following facts about tourism projects and rural diversification in the Ullswater area.

So what you need to do right now then is pause the video here whilst to read through those four different statements and do your best to complete the facts, best of luck.

And the answers.

So A was Herdwick Stones and Hoff Beck information panel are examples of tourism projects.

B was rural diversification is often undertaken by farmers looking to increase their income.

C was examples of rural diversification, include farm shops, accommodation and leisure activities.

And D was Waterside House is an example of a working farm, which has diversified to provide accommodation and leisure activities.

Really well done if you are able to complete those following facts.

Rural diversification and tourism projects aim to keep money local through providing jobs which leads to increased spending and a stronger economy.

And this all links back to something that we need to know about, which is called the local multiplier effect.

But how does that work? Well, it starts with increased spending via perhaps tourism money, then enters the local economy, perhaps as a result of a tourist staying at a B&B or a tourist paying for something, get a cafe.

Either way, money is then entering the local economy from somewhere else in the country.

Demand then increases for different commodities and different services in that area.

And more jobs are created, which thereby provides income for those local people.

So that local multiplier effect is all well and good in theory, but how does it actually work? Well, the tourism projects of Herdwick Stones and Hoff Beck information panel as well as rural diversification seen at Waterside House do benefit the local economy, and they do so in the following ways.

The attractions encourage more people to visit the area.

Tourists then spend money in local shops on accommodation as well as in restaurants.

The income of local residents increases, so demand for local services and amenities actually grows and more jobs are created and more money is added to the local economy.

So you can see how by creating and developing this tourism industry, it really goes some way to supporting and developing the local economy, time once again for a learning check.

And you can see on the screen in front of you, you've got that local multiplier effect that we just went through.

What you need to do then is pause the video here whilst you try to fill those two gaps that you can see in front of you.

Best of luck.

And the answers were, so, rural diversification and tourism projects aim to keep money local through providing jobs, which leads to increased spending and a stronger economy.

And the final gap that you needed to fill was demand increases for services.

So really well done if you're able to identify those two correct answers.

One now to our one and only practise question, and it's a really interesting one.

It says, you are a farmer looking to increase your income through rural diversification.

You have submitted a plan to the local council for approval, and you can see that plan there in front of you.

On the left hand side, you've got the current farm yard and fields, on the right hand side then is your proposed redevelopment.

An application form needs to be submitted alongside the plans and you need to then complete the following two questions.

The first one is to describe the rural diversification you wish to gain planning approval for.

And the second one is then to explain how your plans for rural diversification will actually go to support the local economy.

So please then pause the video here whilst you attempt these two practise questions.

Best of luck.

In terms of feedback, then your answer may have include the following for the first question.

"So I've said that I plan to redevelop my farm to include holiday accommodation, leisure facilities, and a farm shop.

The accommodation will involve converting disused barn into holiday cottages and providing pitches for tents and caravans.

Onsite facilities will include a shower block and a children's playground.

The redevelopment will also feature the creation of farm shop offering local produce.

In addition, a jetty will be constructed on Ullswater to support water-based leisure activities such as paddle boarding." The second question, again, your answer may have included the following.

I've said that these plans will provide a boost through the local multiplier effect, but conversion of disused barns and development of the field will create construction jobs while the ongoing operation of the farm, farm shopper should say, holiday cottages and campsite will generate permanent employment, tourists attracted by the new facilities will spend money both on site and in nearby attractions.

This increased spending will stimulate further demand, creating more jobs and encouraging the growth of local amenities and services.

As a result, additional income will circulate within the community.

So really well done if you're able to include anything like that in your own answer.

Right now to our second to final learning cycle.

And it's all about environmental impacts of economic opportunities.

So it's important to assess the environmental impacts of these tourism projects and rural diversification alongside the undoubted economic benefits.

What might the environmental impacts of these approaches to rural diversification actually be? Now, you may like to pause the video here whilst to consider your own answer to that question, or perhaps even better, have a discussion with someone near you.

So environmental impacts can certainly be positive and negative.

Let's start by looking at the positive impacts of these different developments.

First of all, it will cause a reduced pressure on agricultural land.

It also encourages land stewardship.

And finally it develops environmental awareness.

What are the negatives though? Well, it undoubtedly causes habitat disturbance through different construction projects and more tourists visiting in the area.

There's also increased waste and water demand.

There's also soil compaction and erosion once again from tourists visiting the area.

And finally, there's carbon emissions from the increased traffic from once again the increased tourism.

So in terms of the positive environmental impacts, these include the following.

There is reduced pressure on agricultural land and intensive agricultural practises.

For example, fertiliser use is actually reduced.

There's also land stewardship, so ecotourism and conservation projects can actually encourage native species, recovery as well as protection.

And finally, environmental awareness.

There are farm tours for perhaps people living in towns and cities that otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to go and see what life is like in those rural areas.

So there's farm tours and other activities which raise awareness about environmental issues.

What though are the negative environmental impacts? Well, they include things such as habitat disturbance, humans can disturb wildlife, especially in breeding seasons.

There's also soil compaction and soil erosion as you can see on the image in front of you, walking, cycling and vehicle access, compact soils and that damages habitats and biodiversity, also increased carbon emissions because visitors often arrive by car, which is increasing carbon emissions and thereby leading to increased global warming.

And finally, water and waste demand, hospitality puts much more strain on those local supplies and services.

Time once again for a learning check, it says to complete the details about the environmental impacts of rural diversification and tourism projects.

So what you need to do right now then is pause the video here whilst you try to recall the information to complete A and B, best of luck.

And the correct answers are, A, was positive and B was negative.

Really, really well done.

If you are able to recall that piece of information.

Our next learning check says then to complete the details about the environmental impacts of rural diversification and tourism projects.

And once again, you now need to pause the video whilst you try to recall the information for now C and D.

And the correct answers were environmental awareness and D, water and waste demand.

Really well done if you're able to recall those two pieces of information.

Now in Eden, all luge on farmland was actually proposed to be constructed and a luge is actually shown on the image in front of you.

It's in Queenstown, not Eden, it's in Queenstown in New Zealand, and you can see exactly what it is.

It looks a lot of fun and it was a proposal to construct one in Eden.

It would be 850 metres of a concrete track.

There would be chair lifts taking you to the top of the track.

There would be a cafe as well as a car park for those visitors.

The proposal created conflict and arguments in support were mainly economic, so to do with money, and arguments against were mainly environmental.

So as I said, the arguments in favour of the luge were mainly economic and they included things such as the need to generate much more income for the local area.

The fact that it was gonna create 20 or more jobs and there were plans to actually plant 2000 trees.

So it's trying to balance the economic upside with trying to protect nature.

The arguments against though included the following.

The fact that there would be increased congestion, noise and air pollution would also increase with the increased number of people visiting the area.

And also the concrete used in construction generates a lot of carbon emissions.

So on now to our two final practise tasks for our final learning cycle, and it says to complete the table detailing the positive environmental impacts of tourism projects and rural diversification.

So you can see the table in front of you.

You can see that we're only looking at positive impacts.

You need to try to recall further impacts and try to describe each of those different impacts.

The second question says, as a local resident, you are worried about the negative environmental impact of the plans.

You need to write a letter of objection.

So against the planning department.

Now your objection to planning application, I've given you one or two sentence starters just to get you going.

So what you need to do then is pause the video here whilst you attempt these two practise tasks.

Best of luck.

In terms of feedback then for the first question, this is what your answer may have included.

So for land stewardship then, the description of this then is ecotourism and conservation projects can encourage native species, their recovery as well as protection.

The second gap to fill was the reduced pressure on agricultural land.

And the third and final impact was environmental awareness, things such as farm tours and other activities to raise awareness.

The second practise question then, this is my example, you may have included something similar.

So I've said, to whom it may concern, I'm writing an objection to the proposed redevelopment.

The increased number of visitors will disturb local wildlife on land, and within Ullswater Lake, greater visitor numbers will cause soil erosion and compaction in the fields.

Additionally, most visitors are expected to arrive by car, which contributes to traffic congestion and increasing both air and noise pollution.

The development will also place additional pressure on local water supplies and waste management services.

So really well done if you're able to include anything like that in your own answer.

We're on now to our learning summary and what you need to know from today's lesson.

Well, you need to know that economic change brought about challenges to Eden, especially for farmers to generate income.

They have sought new economic opportunities, and these have included things such as tourism project.

These are planned initiatives to attract tourists.

For example, the Hoff Beck Information Panel, but also rural diversification.

This is about increasing the spread of commercial activity such as farm shops, accommodation, as well as leisure activities.

The impacts of this then can both be positive and negative environmentally, in terms of positive environmental impacts.

While there's going to be an increase in the environmental awareness, there's going to be an increase in land stewardship.

And finally, a reduction in pressure on agricultural land.

The negatives though are things such as habitat disturbance, soil compaction, and erosion, waste and water demand, as well as carbon emissions.

So really well done during today's lesson.

It was a pleasure teaching you and I will see you again on the next lesson.

Goodbye.