Photo by Tomasz Pezold
Tb eNEWS - 11 - October 2017 - newsletter cover
Tb eNEWS - 11 - October 2017

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News
25.07.2014.
The Heart of the Continent collaborates with National Geographic Society in North America

The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is joining with National Geographic Society (NGS) to create a regional geotourism initiative, including one of their famous maps and a website. Drawing input and involvement from a wide spectrum of local stakeholders, this project will help sustain and enhance the geographical character of the region—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents—by highlighting the outstanding natural, cultural and historic resources and gateway communities in the Minnesota, USA/Ontario, Canada bi-national region.

HOCP will become a part of NGS’s network of interlinked geotourism websites and one of its few transboundary protected area destinations, creating great awareness for the region—and its wonderful natural and cultural assets, as well as their value to future generations.

This economic development project will use a unified cross-border approach, the collaborative structure of HOCP, and the brand power of the NGS to increase visitation in the region. Outcomes include:

• An interactive map and website combines the region’s opportunities that are easily accessible and well used by people around the world.
• Links between all the NGS geotourism sites will extend the reach and impact of efforts within the region. Web hits will be tracked.
• The attractions, parks, and communities promoted on the map and website will note increased use.
• This collaborative project will build lasting working relationships among communities and citizens who care about public lands.
• This project will amplify, not compete with, the existing efforts and budgets of partners.

 

About HOCP

 The HOCP is a coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the natural, cultural and economic health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Minnesota, USA/Ontario, Canada border. Within this broad coalition, HOCP is developing a common identity and sense of belonging to the larger transboundary area, the Heart of the Continent, which consists of over 2 million hectares of public lands. Along with the development of a common identity is the desire to create and sustain economic stability for the communities that surround these public lands.