Geotourism aims to put Douglas County on the map

It doesn't take long for oldtimers and newcomers alike to list the things they love about Douglas County: Lake Tahoe, Basque restaurants, Pony Express, community festivals, historic preservation, outdoor recreation.

The county's participation in the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project will make that information instantly available to anyone with a computer at their fingertips.

The county is hosting a workshop Monday to explain the project and get community members involved in the nomination process that literally puts Douglas County on the map.

"What's so great about this is that through this project, there is an Internet site portal where local residents can nominate locations, events and recreation opportunities. The portal editor checks for completeness, it's approved by the geotourism council review group. National Geographic does the final approval," said Lisa Granahan, assistant to the county manager.

Visitors to the site can click on Douglas County for a wealth of information about local attractions contributed by the people who live here.

"As I talk to people about the importance of place, you hear, 'Wouldn't it be great if there was one place where all that information was available. This could be it," Granahan said.

Geotourism is defined by proponents as "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents - basically anything that is authentic and distinctive to the Sierra Nevada."

The project won't cost participants much more than their time and imaginations.

It's funded by Sierra Nevada Conservancy funding, Morgan Family Foundation grants, Federal Highways Administration Scenic Byways grant and the U.S. Forest Service.

Project managers are the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Sierra Business Council and National Geographic Society.

Lynn McKissock, Douglas County's Project Management Office manager, said geotourism was selected by her Leadership Douglas County class as this year's community project.

"In our first brainstorming session, we determined that outdoor recreation and activities were the qualities valuable to living and visiting Douglas County," McKissock said. "We thought the geotourism project could be a good launch for us to collect and share information for outdoor recreational activities with the potential of bringing national attention to our county."

Among the benefits of geotourism cited are attracting travelers who are more resource conscious, concerned with local conservation and sustainability, promoting collaboration throughout the community, highlighting overlooked assets and creating jobs.

Another benefit is co-branding with National Geographic.

Douglas County is part of the Tahoe Emigrant Corridor, the second phase of the project. The first was Yosemite Gateway to be followed by northern and southern regions in phases three and four.

"Monday we're going to have a great workshop," Granahan said. "It will give people more of an overview of the project and teach them how to navigate the Web site and submit a nomination. It also will help them better understand how geotourism benefits our community."

Granahan said geotourism fits right in with the county's Economic Vitality Action plan.

"Two areas in our plan focus on the importance of place - distinctive downtowns - and outdoor recreation and lifestyle. Geotourism is a perfect opportunity to provide Web information for historic sights and businesses for which Douglas County is known," Granahan said.

She cited the Genoa Cowboy Poetry Festival, Mainstreet Gardnerville and organizations like the Carson Valley Trails Association as geotourism topics.

"A neat part of geotourism is that tourists like to come and connect and visit. They like to buy what is unique to the area," she said.

McKissock said the Leadership project is interested in hearing from anyone with knowledge about outdoor activities or clubs that might fit geotourism.

"We're looking to establish a network of individuals, clubs or associations to start an effort to bring attention to Douglas County," she said.

DETAILS

Geotourism workshop, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Emergency Operations Center (new East Fire and Paramedics Districts headquarters), 1694 County Road, Minden. Information, Becky Bell, Sierra Business Council, sierrageotourism@sbccouncil.org or (530) 582-4800.

ON THE WEB

Sierra Nevada Geotourism

www.sierranevadageotourism.org

Douglas County

www.douglascountynv.gov

YOU CAN HELP

Anyone interested in helping Leadership Douglas County with the geotourism project by nominating outdoor activities or clubs may contact Lynn McKissock, lmckissock@co.douglas.nv.us