National Geographic Central Cascades Geotourism Map
RDI collaborated with multiple partners and gathered input from rural communities to create a geotourism map for National Geographic.
Special qualities that define the Central Cascades have been explored and are now on the map! (The Central Cascades Geotourism Map, that is.) From the Cathedral Ridge Winery in Hood River, Oregon to the Great Rocks Wilderness in Packwood, Washington there is a place for everyone in the Central Cascades. RDI and its partners collaborated with community members of the Central Cascades to illuminate the places and experiences like these that residents think are special.
RDI and its partners were involved in creating the Map Guide—a paper and interactive web-based map that promotes natural and cultural tourism as well as encourages a sense of pride in local communities—which won Travel Lane County's Eugene, Cascades and Coast Partnership Award. The award honors businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout Lane County for their dedication and outstanding contributions to Lane County's visitor industry. The Oregon/Washington bi-state effort involved the following partners: Travel Oregon, Washington State Tourism, Sustainable Travel International, Sustainable Northwest, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
What is Geotourism?
Geotourism is a term the National Geographic Society developed and is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.” Geotourism incorporates concepts of both sustainable tourism and ecotourism with an emphasis on conservation as well as economic development.
RDI Reaches Out to Hear Rural Voices
RDI led a dynamic, interactive, outreach process for the project via 25 Community Forums throughout the region. Over half of these communities had populations of less than 5,000 people, reflecting our deliberate effort to bring the project to rural communities in the Central Cascades region. The workshops guided participants through an educational process which allowed them to nominate sites for the map and website.
A total of 1,070 potential sites were nominated for consideration to be on the map. This list was narrowed down to 188 map locations. The map guides are available for download (see related link).
RDI helps communities develop economic development and rural tourism plans like this one that reflect the needs and values of their community. Learn more about how we support entrepreneurship and community-minded tourism in the rural Northwest by reading about some of our most recent projects.
