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Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary: A Case Study in Dark Sky TourismDark sky tourism is an in-demand, sustainable—and in some cases, regenerative—tourism experience that serves the dual purposes of providing awe-inspiring opportunities for visitors and reducing the negative impacts of light pollution on people and wildlife. Promoting dark sky tourism opportunities can support or complement other outdoor recreation offerings while enhancing local tourism economies and reducing energy waste. Here, we break down the recent designation of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary as a case study, including how it came together and the resources available if you’d like to explore dark sky tourism opportunities in your region.
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Request for Proposal: Regional Cooperative Tourism Program and Oregon Wine Country License Plate Tourism Promotion ProgramTravel Oregon is soliciting proposals to find and retain qualified contractors to serve as Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs) for the Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP) and recipients of the Oregon Wine Country License Plate Tourism Promotion Program (OWCLPTPP).
Selected contractors will:
- Comply with the statutorily mandated components of the RCTP and OWCLPTPP.
- Comply with the work requirements and expectations illustrated in each program's respective guidelines document.
You are invited to apply for multiple regions for RCTP and OWCLPTPP. Please specify which RCTP and OWCLPTPP regions you are applying for in your cover letter.
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New 2024-2025 Travel Oregon Visitor Guide is AvailableWe’re excited to share the new Travel Oregon Visitor Guide is available to order. Bulk orders can be made online, via email or by calling 1-800-547-7842.
This year’s cover features Southern Oregon dark skies at Merriam Point Overlook. The guide has several new features like an additional page featuring accessible adventures, an Oregon Food Trails illustrated map and a “Go with a Guide” section showcasing Travel Oregon with Travel Oregon campaign sidekicks and activities representing all seven regions.
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Get Ready for National Travel & Tourism Week Get ready to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) from May 19-25. NTTW is an annual celebration that underscores travel’s essential role in driving our nation’s economy, cultivating vibrant communities and forging connections.
Established in 1983, NTTW has become a cherished tradition, celebrating the U.S. travel community and highlighting how travel stimulates economic growth, creates quality jobs, inspires new businesses and elevates the quality of life for Americans every day.
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Funding Available for Mobi-mats on the Oregon Coast
Along Oregon's Coast, there's a growing demographic of people, including the elderly and people with mobility challenges who cannot easily access beaches and trails. One of the most cost-effective resources for creating easier access to beaches is the use of Mobi-mats. Mobi-mats are temporary weather-proof pathways designed to make uneven terrain accessible to people with mobility challenges. Bringing these mats to trails, beaches or events provides more access and inclusivity to everyone who lives in or visits Oregon's trails and beaches.
The Oregon Coast Visitors Association developed this funding opportunity and created a Mobi-mat toolkit with details about the program.
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External Funding Opportunities
Clean Bus Funding: Low or No Emission Program
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses and provides funding for supporting facilities.
- Eligible applicants include State governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), and City and township governments.
- Deadline: April 25, 2024
Coastal Ecosystems Climate Resilience
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, aims to promote scientific progress towards the understanding of coastal ecosystem resilience.
- See program description for eligible applicants.
- Deadline: May 1, 2024
Regional Food System Partnerships
The RFSP supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The program focuses on building and strengthening local or regional food economy viability and resilience, including pandemic response and recovery.
- Eligible entities include producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, producer networks or associations, majority-controlled producer-based business venture, community supported agriculture networks or associations, food councils, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments.
- Deadline: May 14, 2024
Farmers Market Promotion Program
The FMPP is implemented under the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), a program authorized by subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (1627c), as amended. FMPP funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
- Eligible entities include producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, producer networks or associations, majority-controlled producer-based business venture, community supported agriculture networks or associations, food councils, local governments, nonprofit corporations, public benefit corporations, economic development corporations, regional farmers market authorities, and tribal governments.
- Deadline: May 14, 2024
If you missed the webinar about how to work with Federal Land Managers to fund trails on Federal Lands, the recording is available.
Opportunities submitted through the form should impact the tourism industry. Submissions will be reviewed and curated prior to being published on the page.
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