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SHARC BACKCOUNTRY MANAGEMENT MODEL

STRENGTHENING LOCAL ECONOMY, WORKFORCE, AND TOURISM THROUGH STEWARDSHIP

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MISSION

  • ENHANCE, PROMOTE, AND DEVELOP OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE SNOWSHOE HIGHLANDS REGION
    • RECREATION IS THE ENTRY POINT. ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND COMMUNITY CAPABILITY ARE THE OUTCOME.

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THE APPROACH

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SUSTAINABLE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE

  • CONTOUR-ALIGNED TRAIL CONSTRUCTION DESIGNED FOR LONGEVITY
  • REDUCED LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR PARTNERS
  • HIGH-QUALITY RECREATION EXPERIENCES THAT ATTRACT REPEAT VISITATION

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BACKCOUNTRY EMERGENCY AND RAPID EXTRACTION CAPABILITY

  • INCREASED VISITOR SAFETY IN REMOTE AREAS
  • REDUCED BURDEN ON LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
  • ON-THE-GROUND RESPONSE DURING PEAK TOURISM PERIODS

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WILDLAND FIRE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

  • FUELS MITIGATION AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS
  • TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES CREATING SKILLED LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
  • RETENTION OF TECHNICAL LAND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY

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WHY CULTURE MATTERS TO ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

  • TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE ALONE DOES NOT SUSTAIN ITSELF
  • CULTURE OF LOCAL STEWARDSHIP
    • RECREATION ASSETS REMAIN SAFE
    • MAINTENANCE COSTS DECREASE,
    • WORKFORCE CAPACITY STAYS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

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STEWARDSHIP OUTCOMES

  • RECREATION ASSETS
  • RECREATION USERS BECOME TRAINED STEWARDS
  • REDUCED RELIANCE ON OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS
  • YEAR-ROUND ECONOMIC IMPACT

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DIRECT BENEFITS TO COUNTY AND TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS

  • INCREASED VISITATION
  • IMPROVED VISITOR SAFETY
  • LOWER LIFECYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS
  • LOCAL JOB CREATION
  • WORKFORCE RETENTION
  • EXPANDED YOUTH CAREER PATHWAYS

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LONG-TERM REGIONAL IMPACT

  • RELIABLE OPERATIONAL CAPACITY
  • STRONGER TOURISM REPUTATION
  • RESILIENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS,
  • SELF-SUSTAINING STEWARDSHIP CULTURE