Tourism Fernie gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport towards its AmbassadorWILD Program and additional regional sustainable tourism initiatives.

The one-time $30 million fund from the Destination Development Fund aims to invest in projects that support sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion, that foster distinct and globally competitive destinations, that strengthen a year-round visitor economy and increase community vibrancy and resident support for tourism. Eligible projects included destination stewardship tools and infrastructure, community education programs, enhancing sustainability practices and much more.

“We are very excited to be able to further invest in the AmbassadorWILD Program which will allow for the team to expand on their ability to take care of special places such as Silver Springs, the Elk River, Heiko’s Trail and others while supporting local outdoor education,” exclaimed Jikke Gyorki, Executive Officer of Tourism Fernie Society.

“The funds will also support additional research and data collection with key partners such as the Fernie Trails Alliance, Coal Creek Heritage Society, Rec Sites & Trails BC and the RDEK through use of trail counters and wildlife cameras.”

“Our government is proud to support the tourism sector, the people who work in it, and its sustained recovery,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “By supporting the AmbassadorWILD Program, we are investing in sustainable tourism to strengthen a year-round visitor economy and increasing community vibrancy for residents and visitors alike.”

AmbassadorWILD is an innovative program that supports sustainable tourism and recreation by helping to take care of important nature-based attractions and locations as defined by locals, collect data for quality decision-making, and promote safe and responsible front and backcountry recreation. The program recently won the BC Economic Development Community Project Award that recognizes a community or regional partnership that works together in on- going development work and activities that provide economic benefits to a community or region.

Find more information here.

Lead image: The AmbassadorWILD team with retired RDEK Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski and Tourism Fernie’s Jikke Gyorki. Tourism Fernie photos

Tourism Fernie

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