by Bradley — published on July 8th, 2008
The UN World Tourism Organization is leading a major initiative, dubbed, “Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change.” The year-long campaign, which will kick off on September 27, 2008, World Tourism Day, will encourage travel-related businesses, non-governmental organizations, NGOs, and governmental agencies to take measures to reduce the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapt sustainable businesses practices.
The issue of climate change is particularly critical for the tourism industry. Few business sectors are more dependent on weather and climate, and destinations in California–and worldwide–already feel the affects of global warming–from a shrinking snow pack at California ski resorts to catastrophic wildfire across the state.
Tourism also contributes to climate change, primarily related to transporting and accommodating tourists. With the projected growth in tourism, it becomes increasingly important for businesses to mitigate their impacts on climate and the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, instituting water and energy conservation, and shifting to renewable energy.
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by Bradley — published on July 5th, 2008
The National Geographic Society–publisher of National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Adventure–formed the Center for Sustainable Destinations with the mission “to protecting all the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship.”
The center coined the term “geotourism” to describe this market niche, and defines it as:
“Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for enhancement that protects the character of the locale.
“Geotourism also adopts a principle from its cousin, ecotourism—that tourism revenue can promote conservation—and extends that principle beyond nature travel to encompass culture and history as well: all distinctive assets of a place.”
The Center for Sustainable Destinations offers resources for destination communities and travel industry professionals designed to promote the goals of geotourism.
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by Bradley — published on July 3rd, 2008
There are dozens of conservancies and land trusts in California that work to preserve sensitive natural areas, farmlands and ranchlands, water sheds, and notable landmarks. Trusts use a number of strategies to provide this protection–from outright acquisition of property to the purchase of a conservation easement, which prevents development on the land.
Land trusts play an important, if unheralded, role in the state’s tourism industry by protecting sensitive lands that draw visitors to California. Land trusts manage watersheds for birding and wildlife viewing, ridge lands for hiking and biking, and heritage sites that draw cultural tourists.
The California Council of Land Trusts defines the work of these organizations as:
Ensuring Californians’ Quality of Life. Californians need clean water and air, places to play and rejuvenate, healthy and affordable food, scenic beauty, and natural areas to experience and learn. These lands are critical to the well being of Californians — to our quality of life, our children’s future and our love of California.
Working in Local Communities. Land trusts are rooted in local communities, and work to protect local places of value and importance. Land trust board members, staff and volunteers reside in the areas they work. They join with fellow community members to respond to local needs and protect local places.
What follows is a list of land trusts and conservancies in Northern California.
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by Bradley — published on June 13th, 2008
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy provided a number of grants in fiscal year 2008, to enhance tourism and recreational opportunities in the range. Below are examples of some of those grants:
- Ash Creek Restoration and Modoc Rail Line Acquisition in Lassen and Modoc counties;
- Mill Site Restoration in Lassen County;
- Feather River Learning Landscapes and Fish Hatchery;
- Plumas County Trails;
- Mammoth Lakes;
- Fresno Agri-Tourism;
- Yosemite Gateway Communities.
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by Bradley — published on June 9th, 2008
The California Travel and Tourism Commission offers two free marketing tools to the hospitality industry, local communities, and destinations:
- What’s New in California, quarterly newsletter that is distributed to over 3,000 media outlets and travel journalists worldwide, and
- VisitCalifornia.com, the state’s official tourism website.
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by Bradley — published on June 3rd, 2008
The Sotoyome Resource Conservation District in Santa Rosa established the Fish Friendly Farming program in 1997, to protect the Russian River watershed. Laurel Marcus of the conservation district brought together local vintners, environmental groups, and various government agencies to create a template for improved land management.
The resulting workbook was designed to assist landowners evaluating their farming and land management practices, and then implementing “Beneficial Management Practices” (BMPs) that would promote sustainable agriculture, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.
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by Bradley — published on May 27th, 2008
Federal regulations require California’s four metropolitan planning organizations–the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the San Diego Association of Governments and the Southern California Association of Governments–to update their regional transportation plans at least every four years.
The plans have a 25 year horizon, and direct local, state and federal spending on transportation and transit. In recent years, the regional organizations have integrated smart growth and environmental protection into their plans.
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by Bradley — published on February 19th, 2007
There are a number of nonprofit organization, publi-private partnerships, and community development agencies promoting sustainable economic development, smart growth and nature-based and cultural heritage tourism. These groups share a number of characteristics, including:
- A focus on developing partnerships,
- Support local businesses and cultural heritage,
- Protection of the environmental and conservation of “working landscapes,”
- Serving as a catalyst for community and business investments, and
- Capacity building through partnerships, publications, and educational programs
Among the more successful organizations are the Sierra Business Council and the Jefferson Economic Development Institute in California and the North Carolina-based Handmade in America.
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by Bradley — published on February 17th, 2007
There are a growing number of resources available to businesses, meeting planners, and destination managers who want to offer “environmental-friendly” events. These resources provide “best practices” to improve both the environmental and economic bottom lines. As the Ocean’s Blue Foundation explains on “Blue Green Meetings” website:
“Environmentally responsible meetings are not only good for the earth, they’re great for business. Planning or supplying a green meeting gives you the competitive edge, a great reputation, and can save you time and money in the process.”
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by Bradley — published on February 17th, 2007
The Sustainability Handbook: The Complete Management Guide to Achieving Social, Economic and Environmental Responsibility by William R. Blackburn provides a blueprint for how organizations of all sizes can reach or exceed economic, social, and environmental excellence.
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