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Susquehanna Greenway Symposium To Focus On Civic Tourism On March 18
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Nationally recognized humanities scholar, Dan Shilling, author of Civic Tourism: The Poetry and Politics of Place, will keynote the Susquehanna Greenway Symposium, March 18 in Lewisburg at Bucknell University's Elaine Langone Center.
A native of Pennsylvania, Shilling has developed award winning projects on environmental history and community building, demonstrating that tourism is more than an economic tool; it can help create healthy communities.
Shilling believes appropriate tourism development can help communities preserve cultures, protect the environment, save historic districts, encourage citizenship and, in general, foster a healthier quality of life for residents.
The Susquehanna Greenway extends along the River's nearly-500 miles, touching on 22 Pennsylvania counties. It is a network of land- and river-based resources - recreational, environmental, and cultural, encompassing historic downtowns, natural areas, trails, bike paths, and community parks.
According to officials of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, which is coordinating the Symposium, conserving our natural and cultural treasures and the authentic fabric of our river towns is critical to creating more livable communities. SGP is working to improve upon these place-based assets by creating interconnected parks, land trails, water trails and river access points.
The objective is to create communities where people want to live, work and play, which increases the tourism potential of the Susquehanna Greenway in a way that respects the environment and heritage of the area. The key is engaging all sectors of the community in the process, not just the travel and hospitality industry. That is the essence of "civic tourism."
In addition to the keynote address, the agenda includes three panel presentations, the first on "Place-Making Along the Greenway" focuses on civic engagement and sign design guidelines. "Creating Connections" is the topic of panel two, highlighting the interpretation and promotion of historic and natural assets related to the Greenway. Panel three, "Sustaining the Cultural Landscape," will offer discussion on the preservation and development of key areas along the Susquehanna Greenway.
Speakers at the day-long Symposium have been drawn from a wide range of public, private and non-profit entities including the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, Institute for Cultural Partnerships, Bucknell University's Nature and Human Communities Initiative, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
"Treasured Landscapes," a central component of President Obama's Executive Order 13508 on the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, will be presented at lunch by Brenda Barrett, Director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Barrett is a member of the Federal Leadership Committee, charged by President Obama with developing a single, integrated strategy defining actions to restore the Chesapeake.
Following lunch, the Symposium's attendees will participate in one of four work sessions - three on civic tourism, or a fourth on integrating folklore and tradition into community projects. Reports on results of the four work sessions will conclude the Symposium.
In addition to the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, the Symposium's major sponsors include the Chesapeake Bay Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Bucknell University, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. A $25 pre-registration fee that includes lunch is required.
Details and registration information can be found at the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership website. Individuals with questions may call 570-522-7232 or send email: info@susquehannagreenway.org.
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3/8/2010 |
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