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Nature Tourism Along America’s Greatest River
Audubon Mississippi, in partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority, Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and others held a major regional workshop April 25-27th, 2006 to promote nature tourism in the Lower Mississippi River Region.
Nature tourism, including activities such as fishing, hunting, birding, hiking, bicycling, camping, nature photography, canoeing, power boating, and other outdoor activities is a major and growing segment of the overall tourism market. In response to the need to inform tourism officials and others regarding the growing importance of sustainable natural resource based economic development opportunities in the Lower Mississippi Valley, this workshop was organized. The goals of the workshop were to:
• Introduce and explain nature tourism concepts
• Demonstrate economic impact and environmental benefits
• Provide examples of nature tourism successes
• Share information and lessons learned regarding nature tourism
• Explain how nature tourism compliments other tourism
• Promote dialog and cooperation between those involved with nature tourism and other forms of tourism
• Promote engagement of NGOs and others not actively involved nature tourism activities
• Begin development of a regional strategy to promote nature tourism throughout the Lower Mississippi Valley area
• Foster improvement in the well-being of the citizens of the region
Presentations at the workshop by recognized nature tourism professionals explained the nature tourism concept and highlighted the potential for natural resource based economic development throughout the region. Nature tourism concepts were demonstrated through field trips to local publicly and privately owned sites that cater to the nature tourist. Summary information on the workshop my be accessed by following the workshop link at the top of the right hand column.
Regional Nature Tourism Action Plan
Following the completion of the 2006 Nature Tourism Workshop, a committee was established to begin work on development of a regional strategy to promote nature tourism throughout the Lower Mississippi Valley area. This work culminated with the production of a regional Nature Tourism Action Plan which, among other things, recommended that a regional Nature Tourism Web Site be created. This site has been designed to fulfill this need and it will be expanded and amplified in the future. To view the entire Action Plan, follow the Action Plan link near the top of the right hand column.
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