This post, along with others, is being presented in support of the CreateWV initiative and the Vision Shared Creative Communities Team. Let’s first define what might make up a creative community. The definition of a creative community is a community having significant presence of creative sectors of the economy, such as technology, science, research, design, entrepreneurs and professional arts. In addition, creative communities are marked by outstanding educational institutions & programs, as well as interesting, rich and inviting "third places" like parks, museums, coffee shops and galleries. Thriving, prosperous creative communities also have strong, abundant and accessible technology networks and are tolerant in nature, accepting and welcoming of all types of people. For more on creative communities check out CreateWV.com and the CreateWV blog. And if you really want to get it first hand, come to the 2008 Create WV Conference, Oct. 20-22, at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
I’m going to mention some things that make Institute, WV, a creative place where new ideas are bred and grown into successful community programs. WV State University (WVSU) is a creative community in and of itself. Some of the best professors, not only in WV but surrounding regions as well, make their home at WVSU and help to nurture the minds of young people. Along with the University and its professors is the Gus R. Douglass Land-Grant Institute (GRDI), the outreach arm of the University. Our mission is to aid in the academic, technological, economic, and social advancement of the State of WV through programs that share knowledge and provide services by research, teaching, and extension. And with the Douglass Institute comes program leaders bringing ideas and new methods to deliver education and innovation to our state.
One such fledgling program being developed by the University in partnership with WVSU Extension Service, WV Department of Commerce, WV Department of Tourism, and the Irish Greenbox 
is the model of sustainable development. In March 2008 a team of representatives from the state and WVSU went to Ireland and observed their heavily tourism-influenced economy. Ireland, much like WV, was built on the crop and farming industries of economic development methods. Witnessing their landscape and countryside is an almost exact replica of WV, so it is no surprise that Ireland and WV share a close connection. WVSU Extension Service and its partners, with financial support from the Rural Business Services program, are working with representatives from the European Union and Ireland to explore ways West Virginia can emulate this sustainable tourism success.
Sustainable tourism is about connecting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. It is travel which is low impact, culturally sensitive, community oriented, primarily nature based, and educational. At the same time it should not only broaden people’s minds and enliven their souls but also provide a unique experience, firmly grounded in sustainable principles and practices (the Greenbox in Ireland, 2008). Sustainable tourism practices have been a long-standing effort internationally, but not as prevalent in the United States, and is in its early stages of development. Some countries have begun conducting award winning programs in tourism and assisting small towns to generate a sustainable revenue stream. One example is the Greenbox in Ireland.
Some examples of Ireland’s sustainable tourism offerings that could be duplicated in West Virginia included archaeology holidays where travelers observe ancient burial ruins;
health and wellness retreats including yoga; organic gardening and cooking training including information and demonstrations of organic growing, farming, and hands-on cooking courses; cycling holidays for adventurous travelers to experience the extensive trail systems around lakes, rivers, passing through dense woods and country parks. An exciting cultural program called “Arts in the Greenbox” lets tourists experience museums, festivals, poetry, music, performance, and literary arts. Families wanting to see nature first hand can take part in mountain climbing, exploring caves, boat trips, water sports, and fishing. West Virginia could easily create these same sustainable low-impact tourist attractions.
The exchange between representatives from WV and the Irish will enable the development and delivery of instruction on sustainable tourism methods. This instruction will be at a variety of levels including college-level courses offered at WVSU as well as extension courses taught to local businesses.
“The trip to Ireland was quite enlightening as to what can be done with sustainable tourism in rural areas if several interests will cooperate,” said Bill Woodrum, Associate Director of WVSU Extension Service. “The Greenbox model with the additional cooperation of the Sligo Institute of Technology is a great model for what West Virginia State University can do with our public and private partners in promoting economic and community development in West Virginia.”
Jenny Fertig, Program Leader for WVSU Extension Service’s Community and Economic Development program, agreed. “The Greenbox is an excellent example of how higher education can work with non-governmental agencies on important economic development issues," she said.
The goal is to help sustainable tourism practices become more widespread in the tourism sector of West Virginia. If initially planned, developed and implemented correctly, tourism in areas of natural or historical beauty can be conducted in such a way that protects and supports the natural and cultural elements of West Virginia. This rise in sustainable tourism will not only produce new employment opportunities in our state, it will give a sense of progressive forward-thinking to the state’s tourism market.
Tourism in West Virginia accounted for $3.8 billion in revenue in 2006 and is one of the main economic engines in the state’s economy. It is critically important, as a land-grant university, that WVSU provides resources, conducts research, and works collaboratively to assist in developing and furthering this already strong industry.
Why are WVSU and the Douglass Institute a Creative Community Under Construction? Because this enterprise of thinkers and innovators are creating the future of WV’s sustainable economy. WVSU and the Douglass Institute are hoping to help create an important economic driver in creating a stronger West Virginia economy.
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