Beginning in fall 2011, Yellow Wood Associates has worked with four Walton Family Foundation grantees along the Lower Mississippi River around nature based tourism. Focus areas for this group have included paddling tourism, non-consumptive wildlife watching, and historical/cultural tourism. This work has involved coaching and regional and local demand studies, and facilitating meetings of this group in Mississippi and Louisiana. Now that those studies are completed, we are strategizing with grantees about next steps, which may include connecting with state tourism directors in the region to begin to think about collaboration for mutual benefit. Our ongoing work with the grantees includes monthly coaching calls around demand studies and value chain development, and data integration of demand research.
Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development
