Yosemite Region Entity Meeting Monday 9 January 2006

Yosemite Region Entity Meeting Agenda Welcomes, Introductions Purpose of meeting “Why form a Yosemite regional entity?” “What’s to be gained from such an entity?” Goals of meeting Create a Draft Working Document Choose a Document Representative from attendees Morning Session—Idea Generation by Full Group [9:30am – Noon] Exploration and discussion of ideas to answer the two Questions, assisted by relevant examples and experiences of other entities and successful regions in California, the US, and other parts of the world Goal: capturing workable ideas and thoughts from all participants on how to answer the two Questions Afternoon Session—Coalescing Ideas into Actions by Subgroups [1pm – 4pm] Discussions in smaller, aligned interests/experiences groups to turn relevant, workable ideas into statements that reflect the group’s answers to these two Questions Goal: Creating a Draft Working Document that offers suggested answers to the two Questions; could include formulating overall purpose, possible structure and functioning of Entity Goal: Choosing a Representative from this group to present this Draft Working Document to attendees at the upcoming Yosemite Gateway Partners Meeting on February 2, 2006

Yosemite Region Entity Meeting Timeline 9am – 9:30amWelcoming remarks, Introduction of All Participants 9:30am – 10:30am Idea Generation session with Full Group 10: :45amBeverage break 10: :45am Continue Idea Generation session with Full Group 11:45 – NoonDecide how to break into Subgroups Noon – 1pmLunch (complimentary, served on site) 1pm – 2:30pm Coalescing Ideas into Actions session with Subgroups 2:30 -2:45Beverage break 2:45 – 3:45Framing Actions into a Draft Working Document 3:45 – 4pmWrapup: Decide on Representative, how to present at next Yosemite Gateway Partners Meeting, whether to circulate ahead of meeting, etc.

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture with Cities

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture with Cities and Borders

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture with Cities, Borders, Lodging, Meals

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture with Cities, Borders, & Park

Yosemite Region ~ The Big Picture for Visitors in California

Basic Questions to Answer ~ “Why form a Yosemite regional entity?” “What’s to be gained from such an entity?”

Today’s Goals ~ Create a Draft Working Document Choose a Document Representative from Attendees

Thoughts to consider ~ Who are the Stakeholders in the Region? Why do they live in the Region? Who are the Stakeholders outside the Region? What brings them to the Region? “Why form a Yosemite regional entity?” What ties all stakeholders together? Benefits, problems, issues? “What’s to be gained from such an entity?” Why should they work together?

Relevant examples to consider ~ The Gatlinburg Gateway Foundation ~ Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee; Their Mission: “To advocate positive action and civic responsibility to achieve an environmentally sensitive, culturally enriched, and economically prosperous gateway community to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Relevant examples to consider ~ Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation; Mission Statement: To develop a sustainable, balanced and diverse economy through strong partnerships, resource leveraging and state of the art information services. We achieve this by retaining and creating quality jobs, enhancing the standard of living for all Napa County residents and increasing revenue to local governments, while maintaining the integrity of Napa Valley’s Agricultural Preserve. “NAPA’S FUTURE IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS” Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation (NVEDC) is a private/public non-profit organization working throughout Napa County. Our Board of Directors is comprised of a strategic mix of private and public community leaders.

Relevant examples to consider ~ California Desert Managers Group, Mojave Desert Region Their mission Develop coordinated and complimentary management guidelines, practices, and programs. Coordinate and integrate efforts in the California Desert to: –Conserve and restore desert resources –Provide high quality recreation, public education and visitor services –Provide for safety of desert users Develop and integrate the databases and scientific studies needed for effective resource management and planning. Promote compatibility in the application of each agency's mission

Relevant examples to consider ~ California Desert Managers Group, Mojave Desert Region GOVERNING PRINCIPLES The DMG operates under the following Principles: Participation in the DMG does not diminish an agency's autonomy or authority to conduct/accomplish their mission. Agencies participating in the DMG will work to create opportunities and develop partnerships to effectively and efficiently manage resources. Participating agencies recognize the diverse uses of the California deserts and their responsibility to the American people for being good stewards of desert resources. Participants in the DMG agree to make decisions by consensus. Consensus for the DMG is defined to mean a proposed solution or decision that participants can support or live with. Participating agencies recognize their responsibility to keep the public informed and provide opportunities for comment on DMG activities and initiatives. DMG activities will be consistent with and/or designed to implement agency resource management plans (i.e., National Park Service General Management Plans; Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans; Department of Defense Integrated Natural Resource Plans).

Relevant examples to consider ~ The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network ~ Chesapeake Bay Region, East Coast; Mission : Through a partnership system of parks, refuges, museums, historic sites and water trails spanning the watershed, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network helps the American public access, enjoy, understand and appreciate the natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources and values of the Chesapeake and its rivers and engage in their stewardship.

Vision: Imagine a network of linked natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Think of visiting these places to learn about the Bay's diverse stories, experience its history and enjoy its natural beauty. You might travel from one site to another paddling a water trail, riding on a ferry or driving a scenic tour route. Perhaps you would volunteer some time helping restore a wetland or an historic site. You would easily find information about Bay-related sites, stories, and adventures through a series of Bay Gateways. In effect, this network would become your guide and your entry point to experiencing and learning about the Chesapeake Bay. This is the vision of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The partnership network of sites is evolving over time, adding sites, information and new routes to explore the Bay region. Helping people understand and appreciate the Chesapeake Bay through this network of special places is more than just tourism. Every person who lives, works or visits the region affects the Bay. Linking the places people value to an understanding of the Bay as a system is an integral part of the effort to conserve and restore the Bay's natural environment. Changing how people perceive the Bay by interpreting its resources is a meaningful step toward creating a broader commitment to Bay restoration and conservation. This is a fundamental aspect of the Gateways Network vision.

Relevant examples to consider ~ Outside Las Vegas Foundation ~ Las Vegas Nevada Region; Mission : The Outside Las Vegas Foundation is dedicated to preserving the federal public lands surrounding Las Vegas, enriching the experience of its visitors, enhancing the quality of life for local residents and promoting community stewardship of these valuable resources.