“National Geographic Partners With Oregon and Washington to Launch Geotourism Project for Central Cascades”

“National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations has joined organizations in Washington and Oregon to publicize the world-class natural and cultural attractions of the Central Cascades. The pilot project seeks to contribute to the economic health of communities by promoting geotourism: tourism that sustains and enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.

A community-based nomination process launched today [January 14, 2009] will be used to create a National Geographic “Geotourism MapGuide” for the region. The “Central Cascades” area designated for the map stretches from Mount Rainier National Park to Crater Lake National Park, including communities plus private and public lands in both states. The printed Central Cascades MapGuide will be available in September 2009. A parallel interactive Web site is also being developed,” quoting Sustainable Northwest.

This writer wrote to Yelm’s Community and Government Relations Coordinator Cindy Teixeira to get official comments about this from the City. She said the Yelm Chamber of Commerce is the lead organization on this and is working closely with the city.

In writing to the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Cecelia Jenkins informed the Yelm Community Blog that Yelm had a training session with National Geographic in February and had the largest delegation there. The next meeting of the Yelm group is tomorrow [March 11], with the finished articles and photos being sent in time to meet the March 28th deadline.

Checkout the nominations: CLICK HERE

“Beyond open-to-the-public map point nomination, the MapGuide development process calls for oversight by a regional committee. The Central Cascades Stewardship Council was formed and met for the first time in Stevenson, Wash., on Dec. 4, 2008. It represents geotourism perspectives that include community leadership, historic preservation, natural resources, public lands management, indigenous peoples, traditional and local arts, agriculture, tourism promotion and local businesses,” quoting Sustainable Northwest.

Yelm has long considered itself Thurston County’s entrance to the Mt. Rainier area, so more promotion of that designation and tie-ins are expected.

And this from the Pierce County Business Examiner Blog.