Sustainable tourism discussed at critical issues luncheon

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Elevate Rapid City has a luncheon monthly to talk about critical issues. On the agenda this month is how to protect the environment this tourist season.

The luncheon featured a panel of experts on the topic. The panelists were Brook Kaufman, the CEO of Visit Rapid City, Carrie Gerlach, the owner of Black Hills Adventure Tours, Dew Bad Warrior-Genje, the owner of Zuya Sica Consulting, and Lysann Zeller, the Sustainability and Stewardship Development Program Manager at The City of Rapid City.

Some of the things discussed were recycling, protecting our trails, respecting cultures, and the Leave No Trace principles. The theme of the luncheon was asking how Rapid City can ensure long-term sustainability.

“Yeah, I think, more collaboration needs to happen in our communities to understand all the great work that’s happening in our communities and across the state so that we can all work together to be creative on our solutions,” Warior-Ganje said.

Gerlach stressed that the people of Rapid City don’t have to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to sustainability because there are countless other places that have exemplary programs and initiatives in sustainable tourism. Zeller mentioned that people can give the city feedback to be considered in their new comprehensive plan in a questionnaire or through the Rapid Gets Creative program.

The panelists advised on ways that people can help protect the Black Hills like reducing their consumption and being respectful of nature.

The panelists all echoed that the most important part of creating a more environmentally conscious tourism industry is collaboration.

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