AL-MS-TN Rural Tourism Brings Together the Principles of Geotourism
Each October, rural community leaders and tourism professionals from Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee gather to share ideas, network, and learn about best practices to create opportunities for community and economic development. One of the constant themes is preserving what makes each of these communities its unique self. As Ed McMahon, Senior Resident of the Urban Land institute in Washington DC, has presented a powerful case for “Uniqueness” as well as cases for regionalism in rural communities. This idea of uniqueness is firmly rooted in the principles of geotourism.
This year, the AL-MS-TN Rural Tourism Conference was hosted in Natchez, Mississippi, a town with deep river roots, a strong sense of history, and shared pride in their heritage. ExploreTRV had a front seat to the conference that explored such topics as Keeping Your Downtown Vibrant, Tourism Trails Systems, and Culinary Tourism. The Conference provided an opportunity to ExploreTRV Board Director, Linda Lewanski to make a presentation for the Tennessee River Valley Geotourism project to the attendees. Linda also hosted a table to educate attendees about the project’s regional impact. The Board shares in Mr. McMahon’s sentiments that small communities need to work together and capitalize on the natural assets that so many rural counties share.
Next year’s event will be hosted in Sweetwater TN, a community steeped in Native American history and named by early settlers for the springs that are located there.
Protecting Native Habitats
The principles of Geotourism seek to protect and enhance destination appeal, which sometimes seem to be contrary goals. As more people explore the region, the waterways and forest lands face the risk of infestation from nonnative plants or species that can be introduced by boaters and hikers from their tents, shoes, and gear that may be carrying seeds or other organisms. Well-meaning businesses, homeowners, and agencies also contribute by planting nonnative ornamentals that can choke out the native species which serve as important habitat for wildlife.
Sometimes these nonnative plantings date back hundreds of years. It is not uncommon while hiking backcountry trails to see flowering bulbs or Yucca plants signifying the location of pioneer homesteads. European settlers often brought plantings from their homelands to the frontier. While these plants add to the heritage interpretation of the land, other plants such as honeysuckle, privet, and stiltgrass spread rapidly and can overtake native tree survival; a potential threat to the future of the forests.
Recreational boating and fishing are also impacted by the spread nonnative species. The Tennessee River system has experienced areas clogged with hydrilla or infested with zebra mussels. Most recently, portions of the Tennessee River have been invaded by several species of carp including the infamous “jumping” Asian Carp. The pressure to keep these invaders from crowding out spawning areas and food sources is an ongoing battle being managed by private and public agencies.
The appeal of the Tennessee River Valley is the incredible beauty, recreation, and heritage of the region. Managing the ecosystem is an ongoing effort. We applaud the work of the businesses and public agencies that educate visitors about simple ways to protect the watershed from spreading invasives.
Partnering to Keep Cigarette Butts out of the River
Cigarette butts are one of the most common types of litter found tossed alongside shorelines and roadways, ultimately ending up in the waterways. TRVSC is an engaged partner with the Keep America affiliates across the Valley in educating visitors and users of the river about conservation and good stewardship practices. One such project that TRVSC is involved with is a partnership with Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTRB) in promoting the installation of cigarette receptacles at marinas and boat ramps. These receptacles are not only useful for reminding smokers to properly dispose of butts, but also serve as a PSA of the consequences of cigarette litter in river with the colorful wrap art on each unit. KTRB offers free receptacles at no cost to owners of public spaces (marinas, restaurants, campgrounds, parks on the waterways). This is also part of a free recycling program, in which packaging is provided for the cigarette butts to be recycled for their plastic fibers. All is required is for property owners to install and maintain the receptacles. Anyone interested may submit a request for the receptacles at www.KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org/cigarettelitter
National Recreation and Park Association recently hosted a podcast featuring Missy Marshall, Executive Director of Keep TN Beautiful, KAB Training Director, Edmund McDavis III, and Kathleen Gibi, Executive Director KTRB as they discuss the program. To listen and learn more about this program, click here.
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