As timber, fishing, and other natural resource-based economic sectors have declined, tourism has become an increasingly significant component of the Northern California and Southern Oregon regional economy. Furthermore, "tourism" is taking on a similar connotation to "logging" in the minds of many--a depleting, extractive dynamic that runs roughshod over communities and ecosystems, leaving social, economic, aesthetic, and environmental "clearcuts" in its wake.
But this trend need not continue.
Jefferson Sustainable Development Initiative has joined many others in identifying and working towards a vision of a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable and just forestry practices, and sees a similar potential for appropriate tourism to play a meaningful part in the economic vitality and ecological restoration of our bioregion.
We are looking to strengthen the network of partners that share a dedication to this vision and engage in activities that promote it.
Vision and Goals
JSDI has identified nature & heritage tourism as a promising component in local communities' progress toward achieving and sustaining economic vitality while conserving, restoring, and maintaining the health of ecosystems.
We see the potential of a sustainable and appropriate tourism sector to have strong connections and interactions with other local economic activities and to be a positive and balanced economic, social, and cultural element of local communities.
Our purpose is to experiment with, promote, and refine nature and heritage tourism businesses, practices, and projects that support our vision and values.
Sustainable Tourism Values
The following Principles are the values of JSDI and its partners as we engage in sustainable tourism and describe the character of the experiences associated with sustainable tourism in the bioregion.
These Principles will be refined as we work collaboratively to increase our understanding of the value of sustainable tourism, and its relevance to the social, economic, and ecological health of local communities. These Principles are not intended as rigid criteria by which to certify enterprises, but as values to guide our efforts and relationships.
JSDI defines sustainable nature & heritage tourism as caring and careful travel and experiences that:
- Increase awareness and understanding of the region's ecology, history, cultures, and social climate.
- Develop connections and mutual understanding between people of different backgrounds and places, and provide a positive experience for both visitors and host communities in ways that are welcomed and supported by local communities.
- Directly and indirectly support and contribute to the conservation, protection, and restoration of the region's ecology.
- Honor, perpetuate, and meaningfully contribute to the region's cultures, traditions, and uniqueness.
- Improve the local quality of life and contribute to a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous local economy.
- Encourage interest and engagement in regional prosperity and sustainable development and promote awareness of opportunities for tourists and locals to invest and engage directly in fostering sustainable communities and ecological restoration.
- Strive toward carbon neutrality, recognizing that no activity is truly sustainable if it is dependent on fossil fuels and contributes to the global climate disruption crisis.
Phase I of JSDI's Sustainable Tourism Project
The goal of JSDI's first project in nature & heritage based tourism is to:
- Meet with tourism providers and community leaders to assess the state of sustainable tourism in the bioregion, and to learn how JSDI can play a constructive role in fomenting sustainable tourism as a means toward its Core Objectives and a sustainable bioregion.
- Develop a draft framework (vision, values, principles and criteria) to guide activities and relationships around sustainable tourism.
- Develop a web-based "portal" to the bioregion that promotes the unique cultural and biological richness of the bioregion, and that provides tangible benefits to local sustainable tourism businesses, associations, and events.
- From a needs assessment, develop a follow-up action plan and network of relationships with individuals, businesses, government agencies, and non-profits to advance regional sustainable tourism as a means to bioregional sustainability.
For more information please contact:
Jefferson Sustainable Development Initiative
Matthew Marshall, Nature & Heritage Tourism Project Coordinator
P.O. Box 4167
Arcata, CA 95518
matthew@jsdi.org
707-822-8347