Museums tend to be quiet places. But on a warm Wednesday morning a couple weeks ago, the Mariposa Museum and History Center was abuzz with local business owners, county officials, news media and representatives from some impressive organizations, including the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the Sierra Business Council and the National Geographic Society.
All had come together to support the official launching of the latest geotourism project by National Geographic.
What is geotourism?
Debbie Croft - Debbie Croft
Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents, as stated by the NGS.
Those who are familiar with Mariposa and surrounding areas will agree that we're already practicing and promoting Geotourism: with our Weekend in the Country Agri-Nature Trail and the county's many ranches, vineyards, artisans and farms.
And those who live in the foothill communities tend to be people who value the Sierra's natural resources, scenic beauty and uniquely diverse activities. They're also the ones who want others to share the same values.
Such as: experiencing and enjoying a place and all it has to offer without doing harm, conserving resources and minimizing pollution, respecting the local culture and encouraging businesses and civic groups to work together to create a community where visitors can come and enjoy, which not only benefits those visiting, but also benefits those residing in the area.
At the event, several guest speakers shared their vision for this project.
The arts are a huge part of geotourism here, said John Bock, an artist with the Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst, and president of the Sierra Art Trails. Visitors want to take a piece of this place home with them.
The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors chairman, Brad Aborn, said his first love affair was with Yosemite National Park, which was the reason he moved to the area.
Matt Peterson, the recreational planner with Inyo County, Nicole DeJonghe with the Sierra Business Council, and Bob Kingman of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy also took their turns at the podium and fielded questions from the audience.
In a community where mining and ranching were the sustaining industries for a hundred years or more, Ron Loya, president of the museum's board of directors, reminded us that the tourism industry was born when the all-weather highway was built in the 1920s.
Jim Dion, associate director of National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations, informed us, as tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries. The purpose of this project is to inform and entice visitors to stay awhile, to help them discover and appreciate the best of what's here.
When the project is completed, an interactive Web site will be accessible around the world, while print map guides will be available locally, distinguishing those places and experiences that have become local residents' favorites, and bringing international exposure to the mountain communities.
Anyone may offer a nomination, and is encouraged to do so. Some points to consider would be:
Where do you go for a fine sandwich or a gourmet meal, to hike a trail, camp under the stars, for sighting wildlife, to buy organically grown produce, find comfortable lodging, view artwork or enjoy the arts (museums, theaters, music and performing arts)? Which lake or canyon lures you back time and again? What local festivals and ceremonies mean the most to our community? Which organizations support the geotourism philosophy and/or operate using ecofriendly methods?
Nominations are being taken at the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Web site through the end of October. Nominations should emanate the true character of the Sierra Nevada, such as:
What important historic, cultural or natural features are associated with the site?
Are many people aware of the place, making it crowded and hard to access, or is it more of a hidden gem?
Does the site or experience tell a story or offer something not found just anywhere?
Do local businesses and the community as a whole benefit from and/or support visitation at the place?
While at the Web site, take note of the beautiful photography from Stone Creek Gallery. Charles Phillips, gallery owner and professional photographer, is donating photographs for the project. As a member of the Geotourism Council in Mariposa, his generous and optimistic support for the project will encourage others to get involved, because of the tremendous benefits this will bring to the area.
The geotourism project has already been launched successfully in other areas of the world, including the Arizona-Sonoran Desert, the Crown of the Continent (Alberta, British Columbia and Montana), Romania, Honduras and the Central Cascades in Oregon and Washington.
As Loya reminded us, "We have a story to tell, a picture to paint and a feeling to instill."
Sharing that with others is what geotourism in the Sierra Nevada is all about.
Please help us by making nominations at the Web site: www.SierraNevadaGeotourism.org.
For more information contact the Sierra Business Council by mail at: P.O. Box 2428, Truckee, Calif. 96160 or (530)582-4800 or by visiting the SBC Web site: sierrageotourism@sbcouncil.org.
Debbie Croft writes about life in the foothill communities. She can be reached at composed@tds.net, or at her Sun-Star blog: City Girl, Country Life.
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