Geotourism Media Kit

Press Release and Materials 

New Yosemite Map allows trip-planning from desktop; offers insiders' look at huge Sierra Nevada Region - Coming soon. Contact SNC Public Information Officer, Pete Dufour, or SBC Community Network Director, Michael Penwarden for more information.

Press Releases:
Plan Your Southern Sierra Trip From Your Desktop - June 20, 2011
Sierra Travel MapGuide Accepting Nominations in the Northern Sierra Cascade - May 25, 2011
National Geographic MapGuide Accepting Nominations in the Southern Sierrra- January 13, 2011
National Geographic Map Accepting Nominations in the Tahoe Emigrant Corridor - June 2, 2010
Yosemite Map Allows Trip Planning from Desktop - April 8, 2010
New National Geographic MapGuide to Highlight Sierra Nevada Region - August 12, 2009

In the News:
Yosemite Gateway Partners Newsletter - April 2010

Other Documents
What is Geotourism?
Frequently Asked Questions - April 2010
About the Geocouncil (Geotourism Stewardship Council)
Guidelines on to Nominate Attractions on the MapGuide

Sierra Nevada Geotourism FAQs

What is geotourism?
Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism encompasses a range of niches including adventure and nature based travel, eco- and agri-tourism, cultural and heritage travel.

What is the Sierra Nevada Geotourism project?
Project partners and residents of the Sierra Nevada are working together to create a National Geographic map that features geotouristic assets and attracts as well as encourages sustainable tourism. The Geotourism Project seeks to celebrate the Sierra Nevada as a world-class destination, while contributing to its economic health and promoting long-term stewardship of the region.
 
What are examples of geotouristic destinations that might be featured on the map?
Geotouristic assets are authentic and distinctive to the region and sustain or enhance the geographic character of the Sierra Nevada. Examples include local restaurants and shops, historic hotels, museums, local artists, hiking trails, festivals and events, volunteer and recreational opportunities. To view assets that have been selected in the first phase region and/or to submit a nomination, go to www.sierranevadageotourism.org.
 
Who is involved?
Locals are involved - This project is unique because local people identify and nominate the assets that are mapped through an interactive and open process within the community. Then the Geocouncil reviews and selects the nominations.
 
The Geocouncil is involved - To represent the broad Sierra Nevada, this project is forming a Sierra Nevada Wide Geocouncil as well as Regional Geocouncils from each of the four phase regions. The Geocouncils are comprised of members that represent the geographical and sectoral diversity (arts, public lands, government, non-profits, businesses, historians, tribes, heritage and preservation) of the region. The role of the Sierra Nevada Wide Geocouncil is to guide the overall vision of the project, sustain the project into the future, and encourage long-term stewardship of the region’s natural, historic and cultural assets. Each Regional Geocouncil will encourage community participation in the nomination process, work to ensure nominations reflect the diversity of the region, and select the nominations for final review by National Geographic.
 
Project management is involved - The project management partners manage the project's implementation throughout region. They are the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Sierra Business Council, and the National Geographic Society.
 
Project supporters are involved - Project supporters are also pivotal in contributing to the success of the project, as they greatly aid with outreach efforts and asset mapping. Project partners include a variety of land management agencies, non-profits and other entities with an interest in the project. About 30 project supporters worked together in the first phase area of the project. We are constantly building our project supporters; organizations that are in support of the geotourism project are encouraged to become a project supporter, please email sierrageotourism@sbcouncil.org.

How is the project funded?
This project has received funding from many sources inlcuding the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, Morgan Family Foundation, Federal Highway Administration, US Forest Service and Nevada Commission on Tourism. We continue to conduct fundraising efforts.
 
Why is geotourism important and what are some benefits of the project?

• The benefits to the geotourism project include:
• Attracts and builds travelers who are more resource conscious, concerned with local conservation and sustainability
• Highlights assets that make up the fabric of the region and that are frequently overlooked, distributing the tourism impact
• Increased reach by co-branding with National Geographic
• The ability to support and grow niche businesses in a community
• Travelers gain an authentic experience, connecting them to the land and locals, ideally instilling a desire to take care of the region
• Jobs are created

What is the timeline?
The Sierra Nevada is a vast 400-mile long region with thousands of unique assets.  The Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project implemented outreach for the project in four geographic phase areas from August 2009 - September 2011. Nominations will be accepted to the MapGuide at any time. 

Are there plans for a printed map as well as an online map?
In addition to the online map, National Geographic will develop and distribute a poster-sized printed MapGuide using content submitted to the website.  The development of the printed MapGuide will be finished in 2012.