Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 10.04 Environment and Ecology
Presentation #1 Title
Report from a Tourism-Based Development Project in Elkhorn City, Kentucky: A Community-University Collaboration
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This panel will report on the progress that has been made on eco-tourism development in an area of the Russell Fork River between Haysi, VA, Elkhorn City, KY, and Millard, KY. Home to approximately 3000 people, this area hopes to build upon its eco -and adventure tourism assets, which include the Breaks Interstate Park, the Russell Fork River (already a river destination for world-class kayakers), and the Pine Mountain Trail, the Great Eastern Trail and the Trans America Bike Trail. The Elkhorn City Heritage Council has collaborated with universities and state and federal agencies to develop a comprehensive post-coal economic development plan. University partners are also working with the community to build grant-writing capacity and to partner as we seek funds and capital to support this promising, locally-based, sustainable approach to post-coal economic development. Students have worked in the area on class projects and alternative spring breaks. The panel proposed here will focus upon collaborative projects involving the Heritage Council, Eastern Kentucky (EKU), and the University of Kentucky (UK) related to the area’s certification as a “Kentucky Trail Town.” Students, community members and faculty will be included in a panel highlighting our 2013—2014 work in the area, including one or more of the following project areas: the Rail Museum, Russell Fork Nature Education Center, the water park, and / or water testing and monitoring.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Shaunna Scott is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Kentucky, the editor of the Journal of Appalachian Studies, and a past president of the Appalachian Studies Association.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Stephanie McSpirit is Professor of Sociology at Eastern Kentucky University and has done research on post-disaster impacts, disaster emergency planning, and environmental and water management planning in Appalachia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Michael Bradley is an Assistant Professor of Recreation and Park Administration at Eastern Kentucky University, whose interests include ethics in leisure pursuits and human dimensions of conservation and resource planning.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Ryan Sharp is an Assistant Professor of Recreation and Park Administration at Eastern Kentucky University, who focuses on the protection of resources, parks and protected areas.
Report from a Tourism-Based Development Project in Elkhorn City, Kentucky: A Community-University Collaboration
Corbly Hall 464
This panel will report on the progress that has been made on eco-tourism development in an area of the Russell Fork River between Haysi, VA, Elkhorn City, KY, and Millard, KY. Home to approximately 3000 people, this area hopes to build upon its eco -and adventure tourism assets, which include the Breaks Interstate Park, the Russell Fork River (already a river destination for world-class kayakers), and the Pine Mountain Trail, the Great Eastern Trail and the Trans America Bike Trail. The Elkhorn City Heritage Council has collaborated with universities and state and federal agencies to develop a comprehensive post-coal economic development plan. University partners are also working with the community to build grant-writing capacity and to partner as we seek funds and capital to support this promising, locally-based, sustainable approach to post-coal economic development. Students have worked in the area on class projects and alternative spring breaks. The panel proposed here will focus upon collaborative projects involving the Heritage Council, Eastern Kentucky (EKU), and the University of Kentucky (UK) related to the area’s certification as a “Kentucky Trail Town.” Students, community members and faculty will be included in a panel highlighting our 2013—2014 work in the area, including one or more of the following project areas: the Rail Museum, Russell Fork Nature Education Center, the water park, and / or water testing and monitoring.
