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About NTC
The Nature Tourism Coalition (NTC) is an outgrowth of the Mendocino Coast Economic Development Outlook Conference held in Fort Bragg in October of 2006. A group of community leaders decided to work collectively to promote the responsible enjoyment of nature, protect the character of our community, and develops a nature tourism infrastructure that meets local needs and economic development.
The group's first step was hosting the successful Wildlife Partnership Conference, attended by more than 80 county visionaries, in the village of Mendocino in March of 2007. The Mendocino County Nature Tourism Coalition was officially created when the participants expressed a desire to capture the energy and implement the ideas developed during the conference.
The Nature Tourism Coalition knows tourism is the largest industry in the world, and nature-tourism is the fastest growing segment of the industry. By creating a regional strategy and plan for nature tourism, we can help tourists enjoy our natural assets in ways that protect our natural and human communities. Our goal is a healthy county where ecology and economic vitality are interrelated, a place we can enjoy without worrying about tourists loving our special places to death.
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Our Mission
To provide information and education about nature-based travel and recreational
opportunities in Mendocino County. To promote a sustainable ecology for the
responsible enjoyment of nature by fostering and supporting sound conservation
practices.
Our Primary Activities
To conduct research, recommend policy and standards, offer seminars, disseminate
information and facilitate collaborative initiatives in support of our mission.
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Our 5 Year Goals
Goal 1
Assist organizations, businesses, and government agencies in Mendocino County with the preservation and stewardship of Mendocino County's natural recreation areas and
ecological assets by providing research, education, and information.
Objectives
o Identify Mendocino County's natural recreation areas, examine their
sustainability, and disseminate the results. Facilitate a plan of action to advance a
sustainable and healthy ecological balance for the County's natural recreation
areas by assessing needs for conservation and recreational use.
o Encourage beneficial relationships by fostering understanding and respect for the
natural environment, cultural values, and diverse communities within Mendocino
County.
o Provide information, education and research results on the County's natural
recreation areas, and disseminate via various communication methods (e.g.,
websites, blogs, listservers, written and electronic publications).
Goal 2
Foster and promote sustainable nature-based travel and recreation that supports the
conservation and stewardship of the natural, ecological, scenic, cultural, and historic
values found in Mendocino County.
Objectives
o Support businesses and organizations in furthering opportunities for nature-based
travel experiences.
o Support sustainable, conservation-oriented travel practices that ensure the
wellbeing of Mendocino County's local communities, residents and visitors.
o Establish conservation standards that promote ecologically-sound and sustainable
outdoor recreational and travel experiences in Mendocino County.
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Fact Sheet 2008
Who we are:
o The Nature Tourism Coalition of Mendocino County (NTC) is an association of community leaders committed to conserving the natural assets of Mendocino County while promoting eco-tourism as an economic development initiative
o The Coalition was established to assist in the development of sustainable nature tourism programs and promotions.
o The NTC is guided by a steering committee, it has a part-time Coordinator and fiduciary responsibility is provided by the Mendocino Land Trust. NTC is exploring becoming a 501.c(3) non-profit.
Major projects to date:
o Hosted a successful conference, Building Nature Tourism Partnerships in Mendocino County with over 80 participants. Major Conference sponsors MCPA, MCLA, FBPC, MLT, MAPA, & MCCC provided $4,000. In-kind donations from over 20 businesses and organizations resulted in an additional $4,000.
o NTC is inventorying Mendocino County nature and wildlife sites and evaluating their sustainability and suitability as tourist destinations. The project is supported by grants from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, the Fort Bragg Promotion Committee, Mendo Lake Credit Union and Dirt Cheap
o Entered into a financial partnership agreement with the Mendocino County Lodging Association to provide a set of Nature Tourism deliverables to the Association's membership.
Additional Accomplishments to date:
o NTC hosted its first semi annual meeting and workshop September 12, 2007. Upcoming workshop, April 10, 2008.
o Received $3,000 seed money from MCPA and a $4,000 donation from Mendo Lake Credit Union to assist in developing a Mendocino County nature tourism program
o MCLA awarded NTC $1,000 for the development of a website for communication within NTC
o The Coast KOZT 95.3/95.9 FM signed on as Media Sponsor
o An NTC representative presented at the California Travel Industry Association (CalTIA), the Rural Tourism Conference on Catalina Island, Sept. 17 - 19, 2007
o NTC has representation on the North Coast Association of the California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Council and the newly formed North Coast Tourism Council
o An NTC representative presented at the North Coast Workshop of the California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Council in Lake County, Oct. 26, 2007
o NTC participated in the Fort Bragg Business Forum
o NTC has a strategic planning advisory group which meets every quarter.
o Hired a part-time coordinator; 10 hours per week
NTC's Volunteer Steering Committee includes:
| James Bernard | Mendocino Land Trust, Mendocino County Promotional Alliance (MCPA) |
| Johanna Jensen | Business owner, Fort Bragg; Task Force - Wildlife Festival |
| Lynelle Johnson | Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens |
| Stuart Marcus | Mendocino County Lodging Association (MCLA), MCPA |
| Charlene McAllister | Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation |
| Marilyn Murphy | CA State Parks - Mendocino District |
| Rachel Murray | West Company, Fort Bragg Promotion Committee |
| Hawk Rosales | InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council |
| Scott Schneider | Mendocino County Lodging Association (MCLA), MCPA |
| Carol Smith | Environmental Steward & Strategic Consultant |
Strategic Planning Committee (includes Steering Committee)
| Don Ballek | Economic Development & Financing Corporation |
| | Tom Becker | Retired Banker, Mendocino County Small Business Development Center |
| Jan Bell | Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce & MendoLake Credit Union |
| Jenny Donovan | CA. State Parks North Coast Redwood District |
| Bert Mosier | Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce |
| Joleen Osello | Independent Interpretive Naturalist,
project analyst for Site Identification project |
| Herb Pruett | Mendocino County Museum |
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