This report summarizes the first year of operation of the task force. The task force membership now stands at 29 members from 17 countries. We attach a list of the membership. The task force is a working committee, and as a result the membership is kept to a small number for the purpose of operational efficiency. Membership represents a range of institutions, countries and geographical locations.
Electronic mail does most of the daily communication among the members.
Those without email capability receive fax or mail communication. In 1996 the task force became a focus of attention in protected area and nature-based tourism. Many individuals and organizations contacted the task force for advice, for information, for participation in ongoing activities, and for liaison purposes. A few examples may suffice to reveal the spread of activities. Dr. Philip Deardon of the University of Victoria in Canada represented the task force in ecotourism meetings in Thailand.