Can Waterford’s UNESCO Copper Coast Geopark lead the way in the bioregion, using its natural beauty as a driver for conversion to more regenerative mindsets and practices, closer links to citizens and tourism that gives rather than takes from the the land and sea?
Concept:
Local-led, multifunctional land-use that delivers economic, environmental, social and inspirational value in a balanced and sustainable way.
What is the context and the 4 losses?
- Tourism is extractive in nature and its growth creates excess traffic, waste and can harm livability.
- Tourism will grow.
- Disjointed strategies on the area with no local consultation for tourism development.
- Destination management is often marketing first.
- Without a long term vision.
- The Copper Coast Geopark itself (as a charity) does not have a vision for future growth as an org. Chasing short term funding, has a retiring broad, and is confused as to its role
- Land use and biodiversity remain poor
What resources do you have/need?
- Copper Coast Geopark org
- Contacts in Waterford County Council
- Weaver in Bioregional Weaving Lab (BWL)
- Regular meeting with our partners to share ideas and work together on the same goal/concept
- Connections with other rural destinations across europe/globally
- Staff time, currently one person 75% and admin for 10 hours a week.
What activities are needed to bring about change?
Common vision
We need a common vision – that is co-owned and co-written.
Action: Gather a diverse stakeholder register from the community and business interests. Planning for future needs and development under different scenarios.
Education
Awareness and research about natural, cultural heritage and pathways for sustainable tourism development.
Action: co-design with businesses and communities..
Demonstrations
Other voices from places in Ireland and elsewhere to show what can be done.
Action: look at low cost local potential for talks/walks etc and then build a network of activities. Eventually create coastal and inland walks and other experiences with regenerative elements).
Work with tourism businesses to inspire new actions.
What short term change/4 returns will you see?
A return of:
Inspiration- through a common vision, well-attended talks, and examples from elsewhere a manager
Social – New connections between business owners, residents and stakeholders
Natural – Understanding how tourism areas can re wild their localities
Financial – a vision for more sustainable livelihoods .
What medium term change/4 returns will you see?
Social
- New community network. Village events shared and co-marketed.
- Stronger brand and model. No more promotion as “a drive”. But as a place.
Inspiration
- A development plan built around a future vision and agreed upon by all.
Nature
- Pathways for biodiversity
- Citizen science projects and regenerative initiatives like beach cleans. New methods of sustainable transport to area. An understanding for the tourism value of ecology.
Financial
- New revenue paths and decreased leakage of funds.
What long term impact/4 returns will you see?
Nature
- A network of off road walking trails enriched with biodiversity.
- A farming community engaged in nature conservation.
Financial
- New income flows, directly from increased revenue and indirectly from EU funding for sustainable destination development
Inspiration
- An engaged citizenry locally with the idea of the Copper Coast
- A globally known brand as a sustainable tourism leader
- Creation of a model for rural destination branding and management that will be used by national agencies
- An ethos that catalyses other projects such as distributed energy generation.