Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project secures $205,000 grant – Nominate today!

What's special about the Sierra Nevada? And what are people doing to keep it that way? Here's your chance to tell your story and share your knowledge and experiences with residents and visitors of the Sierra Nevada region. Nominate places for the MapGuide.

Submit your nomination for the Yosemite Gateway/Scenic Byways area by Oct. 31, 2009!

We're excited to announce the Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project has been awarded a $205,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration.

"This grant is going to allow the partnership in the Central Sierra to do very robust outreach and identification of assets for the Geotourism Website," said Sierra Business Council's President, Steven Frisch. "It will demonstrate to the rest of the Sierra Nevada how valuable this sort of project could be for building a long term constituency for land stewardship and community building."

The nomination period is coming to a close for the Yosemite Gateway/Scenic Byways area in just over two weeks, and we need you to tell your story and share your knowledge and experiences with residents and visitors of the Sierra Nevada region.

Submit your nomination by Oct. 31, 2009! (More about deadlines below.)

Nominations can include:

Events

Agritourism

Local Businesses

Volunteer Opportunities

Historical / Cultural Sites

Local Artist, Musician or Craftsperson

Natural Attractions / Outdoor Adventures

. . . basically anything that is authentic to the Sierra Nevada and sustains or enhances the character of the region.

Nominate at www.SierraNevadaGeotourism.org

The National Geographic Society has partnered with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Sierra Business Council to capture the history and heritage of the Sierra Nevada Region in order to create an interactive Web site and print map. The Sierra Nevada Geotourism Project seeks to celebrate the Sierra Nevada as a world-class destination, while contributing to the economic health of the region by promoting sustainable tourism. Read more

Why?

We need your help to produce a better way to plan travel and attract visitors that will patronize your local businesses, take better care of your special places, and help make your local events more successful.

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Project partners: Sierra Business Council, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and National Geographic Sustainable Destinations.

About Deadlines:

You can submit your nominations for anywhere within the entire Sierra Nevada region from now until the middle of 2010. We are first developing a map for the Yosemite Gateway/Scenic Byways area, so be sure to submit your nominations for that area before October 31, 2009.

Go to www.SierraNevadaGeotourism.org to make your nominations. It will benefit that nominee, your community, and you.

Sincerely,

The Sierra Nevada Geotourism Team

sierrageotourism@sbcouncil.org

(530) 582-4800