adirondack to appennino sustainable parks &...
TRANSCRIPT
Adirondack to Adirondack to Appennino
Sustainable Parks & Communities
Project2018
Overview of Presentation
• Student Researchers
• Purpose & Methods
• SDG SWOT Analysis• SDG SWOT Analysis
• Research Recommendations
2018 Student Research Team
Victoria Krolczyk, Tia Akey, Cristhian Gonzalez, Dan D’Apice, Alaina Woods, Vera Fatta, Lauren Bowe, Nayleece Williams, Nathan Greene, Thomas Szabo, Anderson LeClair, Matt Syke
Degree ProgramsBaking & Pastry; Biology; Culinary; Entrepreneurial Business; Environmental Science; Fisheries & Wildlife;
Hotel, Resort, & Tourism Management; Parks, Recreation and Conservation Management; Sustainable Communities and Working Landscapes
Purpose of 2018 Project
1. Conduct preliminary research and analysis to understand how the Biosphere Reserve is implementing and monitoring actions for 3 SDGs.
1. Conduct preliminary research and analysis to understand how the Biosphere Reserve is implementing and monitoring actions for 3 SDGs.
2. Apply the particular expertise of 12 Paul Smith’s College students to assist with SDG analysis.
2. Apply the particular expertise of 12 Paul Smith’s College students to assist with SDG analysis.
3. Provide recommendations for 2 year research collaboration with Biosphere Reserve, Paul Smith’s College, and University of Parma.
3. Provide recommendations for 2 year research collaboration with Biosphere Reserve, Paul Smith’s College, and University of Parma.
Research Strategy
Phase 2:Phase 2:
Qualitative Research in Biosphere Reserve
Phase 1:Phase 1:Secondary Research on UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals & Circular Economy
Phase 4:Phase 4:Research Recommendations for Future Collaboration
Phase 3:Phase 3:
SWOT Analysis of SDGs 11, 12, 13
Qualitative Research in Biosphere Reserve
Research Methods
• Secondary research on UN’s 17 SDGs• Participant observation during site visits• Semi-structured stakeholder interviews • Site visits to La Pietra di Bismantova, Corfino, Ligonchio, Parco
dell'Orecchiella, Parmadell'Orecchiella, Parma
One Common Theme:Opportunity to Strengthen a Circular Economy
Strengths Weaknesses
• Ecocentric educational systems• Rich history and cultural identity• “Cooperatives” that support citizens and
promote local products/services • Rural resiliency – citizens fill multiple
roles within community• Natural aesthetic and traditional
architecture strengthens appeal of region
• Lack of public transportation in rural communities
• Need for more focus on circular economy
• Insular rural communities perpetuating lack of synergistic solutions
• Aging population impacts sustainability efforts
• Waste management of local products
Opportunities Threats
• Connect cities and rural communities to strengthen resiliency
• Use cities within the Biosphere for experimentation of new sustainable systems
• Create an SDG management plan with actions and measurable goals
• Vulnerable economy - risk of dependence on external funding
• Natural resource depletion and degradation
• Increasing disconnect between cities and rural communities within the Biosphere
• Anthropological trends dismantling cultural heritage
Lessons Learned from SDG #11SWOT Analysis
Food tourism should be supported by “pull tourism” factors (e.g.
Food tourism should be supported by “pull tourism” factors (e.g.
Climate change presents economic Climate change presents economic
Word of mouth recommendations are now“world of mouth”
Word of mouth recommendations are now“world of mouth”
The Biosphere has the ability to improve its
Increase outreach and education of
Growing need to connect cities and rural
tourism” factors (e.g. arts, music, design, etc.) and “curated” food tourism experiences to drive the multiplier effect.
tourism” factors (e.g. arts, music, design, etc.) and “curated” food tourism experiences to drive the multiplier effect.
presents economic opportunities and risks to food tourism depending on the location.
presents economic opportunities and risks to food tourism depending on the location.
“world of mouth” recommendations due to consumer generated media (TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc.)
“world of mouth” recommendations due to consumer generated media (TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc.)
to improve its public transportation network in rural communities
education of ecocentric ideas in cities and villages
and rural communities to strengthen resiliency
Strengths Weaknesses
• Production of high quality products• Educating youth about the Biosphere and how to protect it• Promotion of sustainable tourism initiatives• Leveraging EU funding to support responsible production and consumption
• Inability to close the circle in circular economy • Lack of knowledge about waste management of local products • Renewable energy sources are not visually appealing• Dependence on external funding
Opportunities Threats
• Renewable energy sources across industries• Repurposing food waste • Education on responsible waste management • Enhance access to more efficient technologies to reduce community impact on the environment•Supporting high quality carbon finance projects
• Changes in funding opportunities from external organizations• Youth migration from rural communities to cities• Environmental, economic, and social impact of climate change• Overuse of non-renewable resources
Lessons Learned from SDG #12SWOT Analysis
Growing need to Growing need to Biosphere administration is Biosphere administration is
Economic vulnerability due to Economic vulnerability due to Growing need to
establish waste management systems and standards across the Biosphere
Growing need to establish waste management systems and standards across the Biosphere
administration is aware of the risks surrounding degradation of non-renewable resources
administration is aware of the risks surrounding degradation of non-renewable resources
vulnerability due to reliance on external funding to support responsible production and consumption initiatives
vulnerability due to reliance on external funding to support responsible production and consumption initiatives
Strengths Weaknesses
• Dedicated and hardworking employees in local businesses
• Biosphere administration is willing to adapt to climate change and aware of the urgency to do so
• Strong reputation with EU funding committees
• Citizens’ lack of understanding/caring about climate change
• Missed funding opportunities • Lack of long term data on climate
change• College students know what is
happening but fail to take action
Opportunities Threats
• Competition for external funding • Time sensitive situation • Biosphere citizens resisting
potential change • Taking too long to implement and
passing the “tipping point” • Warmer climates result in a loss of
winter sports revenue
• Funding from INTERREG 10.2 billion Euros
• LIFE Program funding 400 million Euros
• Educating students and the public on climate change to leverage social pressure
• Using the University of Parma and other institutions to educate and promote climate action
Lessons Learned from SDG #13SWOT Analysis
Opportunity to improve communication
Leverage the greater biosphere network to learn
Missed funding and partnership opportunities to communication
between educated personnel/officials and the public about climate change
network to learn about and promote climate action
opportunities to support climate action within the Biosphere
Student Recommendations for Future Research:
1. Research and analyze the Biosphere’s practices for each stage of the circular economy
2. Conduct a Sustainability SWOT (sSWOT) analysis in each municipality
3. Feasibility study to assess the 3. Feasibility study to assess the development of public transportation in rural communities
4. Economic impact analysis on climate change
5. Researching methods to connect cities and rural communities to strengthen resiliency