|
|
Four-day 'Nature of Agritourism' retreat set for Feb. 8Arkansas Landowners who want to explore the potential to host a nature tourism enterprise will have the chance at "The Nature of Agritourism" retreat set for Feb. 8 to 12 near DeWitt. The retreat is presented by the Business of Birding Institute, in partnership with Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and Audubon Arkansas. "This retreat offers a chance for people to see if they have the resources to develop their land into an agritourism opportunity," said Dr. Becky McPeake, an extension wildlife specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Participants will stay at Fowl Play Lodge near DeWitt, with classes held at Phillips Community College UA, and other locations in eastern Arkansas. The $250 registration fee covers all expenses/materials, lodging, and food for the length of the entire workshop. To register, please visit www.aragriculture.org/aai or call Kathy Radomski at 870-946-3506 ext. 1617 for more information. Space is limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. The retreat will address bird identification, habitat management, and nature interpretation. It will also offer participants grounded, sensible advice about risk assessment, legal issues, marketing, and customer service. Shelly Plante, Nature Tourism Coordinator with Texas Parks and Wildlife, will be speaking about what Texas has done to successfully develop the nature tourism industry. Tourism has been shown to be an important component of community and economic development. She will also discuss how private lands can benefit from tourism. Other speakers include: --Daryl Jones with Mississippi State University Extension Service's Natural Resources Enterprise Program; --Dr. Dan Scheiman, bird conservation director for Audubon Arkansas; --Matt Conner, refuge ranger for White River National Wildlife Reserve; --McPeake, associate professor-wildlife, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service; --Jody Pagan, chief biologist for Five Oaks Wildlife Services; --Representatives from Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. Field trips during the week include a visit to Five Oaks Lodge to showcase premier wildlife habitat management and the White River National Wildlife Refuge, the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwood forest in the country, and home to the largest concentration of wintering mallards in the Mississippi Flyway. Participants will also be visiting the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, located in Stuttgart, which is known as the Rice and Duck Capital of the World. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. 12/29/08 Date: 12/24/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
