PA Wilds Seeking Award Nominations for Outstanding Work in Sustainable Tourism Development

The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team wants to recognize individuals, groups, organizations or businesses that have done outstanding work to help advance the goals of the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative.

The PA Wilds Initiative is a grassroots, state-supported effort to grow the nature and heritage tourism industry across 12 ½ counties of rural PA as a way to create jobs, diversify local economies, inspire stewardship and improve quality of life.

“One of the hallmarks of the Pennsylvania Wilds Initiative is that it involves a lot of different people and sectors working together strategically to accomplish something for the region,” said Planning Team Chair Dan Glotz. “Some of the projects and business efforts we’ve seen spring up at the local level are just incredible – and we want to make sure they get recognized. If you know someone who has done a great job to grow sustainable tourism in your community and to tie into the PA Wilds, we absolutely encourage you to nominate them.”

Categories for the 3rd Annual Champion of the PA Wilds Awards include: tourism asset development and marketing; community character stewardship; conservation of natural assets; business development; youth outreach; artisan of the year; government leadership; and emerging leaders.

Awards will be presented at the Planning Team’s Annual Dinner on April 25, 2012 at the Red Fern in St. Marys.

Nominations are due March 1. More details on the categories and application process are available at www.pawildsresources.org or by emailing janine@pottercountyedcouncil.org.