Sustainable Decisionmaking for Tourism

1. Sustainable Decisionmaking for Tourism Geoffrey Habron, Ph.D. Michigan State University Extension Greening Michigan Institute Sustaining Community Prosperity http://sustainabledecisions.msu.edu/ May 20, 2014

2. After reviewing the materials as part of the Sustainable Decisionmaking program you will be able to: • Identify and explain all dimensions of all 8 sustainability outcomes • Identify and explain real-world applications of all dimensions of all 8 sustainability outcomes • Evaluate and judge the application of all dimensions of all 8 sustainability outcomes to real-world decisions. • Apply all the dimensions of all 8 sustainability outcomes to your own decision-making • Evaluate and judge the application of all dimensions of all 8 sustainability outcomes to your own real-world decisions.

3. For each resource that you encounter we want you to consider the following questions: • What outcomes of sustainability were considered? What were missing? • How were they addressed? • How could you improve the level of sustainability decisionmaking? • How does this combination of sustainability apply to you? • What can you do to address the kinds of sustainability issues and dimensions covered in the resource? • What other resources do you need? • Where can you go to improve your capacity to make a more sustainable decision on this topic?

4. Take Home Message • Sustainability > Green • Move from unsustainable, to “less unsustainable” to “more sustainable.”

5. Sustainability Outcomes • Sustainability activities and enterprises should lead to the following outcomes and conditions

7. Ecological Integrity Competency—knowledge of basic ecological principles and the ability to apply ecological science to current issues.

8. Economic Vitality—knowledge of how to apply economic systems to the equitable benefit of society.

9. Social Justice—equitable sharing of benefits of sustainability strategies

10. Aesthetic Quality—recognition of the basic human value of beauty and understanding of how to apply it to communities.

11. Civic Responsibility—the use of knowledge of the responsibilities of citizens and communities in dialogue, decision making and capacity building on local, regional and global issues.

12. Systems Interdependence/Thinking—ability to recognize multiple systems and feedback loops at play in an issue and understanding of the need to incorporate multiple groups, perspectives and institutions in decision making.

13. Critical Thinking— The ability to recognize, invite and consider a full range of evidence, strengths and weaknesses across different modalities recognizing uncertainty, biases and assumptions; and using that range in capacity building and the decision making process.

14. Personal Growth (Personal Development and Self-Awareness)—understanding one’s personal values and those of others related to issues, and being provided the opportunity for growth and capacity building.

15. Sustainability Sectors Materials Purchasing Waste Transportation Food Labor Energy Shelter Land Air Water

16. What is a sustainable enterprise? • An enterprise that leads toward attainment of 8 positive outcomes as applied to a range of sectors

18. Issues • How to find sustainable businesses and tourism operators and networks? • Sustainable food (local, organic, fair labor) near sustainable lodging (renewable energy, low waste, water conservation, fair labor, LEED?, recycling/composting) near sustainable recreation (non-motorized, sustainable materials, accessible, non-polluting) with sustainable souvenirs (recycled paper, local, fair labor, nontoxic, place-based, unique)?

20. Issues • How to find sustainable businesses and tourism operators and networks? • Sustainable food (local, organic, fair labor) near sustainable lodging (renewable energy, low waste, water conservation, fair labor, LEED?, recycling/composting) near sustainable recreation (non-motorized, sustainable materials, accessible, non-polluting) with sustainable souvenirs (recycled paper, local, fair labor, nontoxic, place-based, unique)?

21. For each resource that you encounter we want you to consider the following questions: • What outcomes of sustainability were considered? What were missing? • How were they addressed? • How could you improve the level of sustainability decisionmaking? • How does this combination of sustainability apply to you? • What can you do to address the kinds of sustainability issues and dimensions covered in the resource? • What other resources do you need? • Where can you go to improve your capacity to make a more sustainable decision on this topic?

22. Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan • What are the greatest threats to Michigan’s tourism industry? Michigan State University survey reveals the industry’s greatest concerns. • Posted on February 28, 2014 by Andy Northrop, Michigan State University Extension, and Sarah Nicholls, Michigan State University • http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/what_are_the_greatest_threats_to_michigans_tourism_industry • (critical thinking, ecological integrity, water)

24. Wind Farms • Wind farms (Civic and Energy) • Turbine Tourism http://grist.org/news/turbine-tourism-bus-tours-of-a-wind-energy-park-are-a-big-hit/ (Ludington) • Michigan's new tourist attraction? Like them or not, wind turbines. Detroit Free Press. 6:01 AM, October 20, 2013http://www.freep.com/article/20131020/FEATURES/310200073/Michigan-s-new-tourist-attraction-Like-them-not-wind-turbines (statewide – thumb, central, ludington) • Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commercehttp://chamber.ludington.org/events/details/wind-turbine-tours-3296

26. Lodging • Michigan Green Lodging Program http://michigan.gov/mdcd/0,1607,7-122-25676_25677_37026---,00.html • statewide • NeahtawantaInn http://www.oldmission.com/inn/about.html(materials, ecological, aesthetics, purchasing, food) • NW

28. Voluntourism • Voluntourismon the Rise in Traverse City. July 24, 2013. The Ticker.http://www.traverseticker.com/story/voluntourism-on-the-rise-in-traverse-city (social justice, civic) • http://volunteernwmi.org/for-volunteers/group-service/ • NW

30. Ecotours • Ecotours • http://www.woodswaterecotours.com/ • (aesthetics, land, water) • U.P.

33. Bike tours • Wheelhouse Detroithttp://www.wheelhousedetroit.com/(transportation, ecological) • SE

35. Mackinac Island • http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/where-cares-are-illegal-zbcz1311.aspx • northern

36. Awareness Tours • Tour de Sprawl http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/resources/states/michigan.asp (critical thinking, land) • statewide

38. Disabilities • Disability transportation http://disabilitynetwork.org/accessibility-and-mobility/tart-trails-disability-network-celebrate-the-ada-at-tour-de-tart-on-july-26/#.UxSqIF7vAxE(Social Justice and Transportation) • http://disabilitynetwork.org/linksresources/topic/recreation/ • Full Potential Adventures, http://www.fullpotentialadventures.org/about.html • NC

40. Markets • Downtown Market (Grand Rapids) http://downtownmarketgr.com/green (Ecological and Shelter, Materials) • GR

43. Michigan Outdoor Skills School • http://www.nettiebay.com/birding.html • (personal development, aesthetics, materials, land) • NE

45. Food • Taste the Local Difference http://www.mlui.org/food-farming/projects/taste-the-local-difference/ (food, aesthetics, civic, systems) • NW

47. Marina • Clean Marina Program http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/michigan-clean-marina-program/ (Water and Ecological) • Reducing insurance and waste disposal costs • Reducing pollution and improving water quality • Protecting fish and wildlife habitat • Enhancing public image by promoting environmentally sound practices • statewide

48. Fish • Catch and Cook http://www.michigancatchandcook.com/ (systems, food, economic, aesthetic) • coastal

50. Wastewater • The Homestead of Glen Arbor, MI - sustainable lodging and wastewater technology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTM7jcyk-Q0 (ecological integrity, systems, waste, water) • NW