Eco-tourism, responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of the local people, offers enormous potential to Western North Carolina. Our area is rich in biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic local cultural experiences. However, the development of this lucrative market is still in its infancy, despite the area’s identity as a vacation destination.
Speakers at the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute’s December 12th Green Monday will discuss some of the initiatives underway to expand eco-tourism attractions in Western North Carolina.
- Alex Naar of Eastern Carolina University’s Sustainable Travel Program, will talk about the growth of eco-tourism, nationally and in North Carolina, and about his office’s programs to enhance that growth;
- Sarah Marcinko, Environment Leader for Navitat, will talk about the efforts her company has made to develop an environmentally-responsible zipline attraction;
- Julie Judkins, Manager of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s A.T. Communities Program, will talk about this effort to enhance the benefit local communities obtain from use of the Appalachian Trail; and
- Alice Cohen, U.S. Forest Service, will talk about a public dialog the Forest Service is initiating to provide input to the strategy they will be developing for non-motorized trails. The availability of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding is one of the major eco-tourism attractions our area offers.
Join us for what promises to be a lively discussion.
The December 12th Green Monday will be held in the Board Room of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Building, 36 Montford Ave., from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Green Mondays are funded by a grant from Progress Energy, with support from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Purplecat Networks.
Short presentations from speakers will be followed by a general discussion.
Green Mondays are open to the public.
Join us on December 12th from 3:00 – 4:30p.m.
Monthly Green Monday events take place at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce located at 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville.
