Nomination Guidelines

The Greater Yellowstone MapGuide seeks to promote geotourism, defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, and the well-being of its residents.” The MapGuide will celebrate and help sustain the region’s sense of place and its globally significant natural and cultural values.

Nominations should reflect and support the region’s distinctive character. They should help tell the story of communities, landscapes and places in Greater Yellowstone.

A test for inclusion on the MapGuide: “Is the site, attraction, business, activity or event somehow distinctive to our community or region?” Nominations might include:

•   Natural areas such as parks, lakes, rivers, mountains and forests.

•   Events such as a pow wow, community parade, festival, ceremony, or farmers’ market.

•    Businesses such as a family-owned restaurant that serves locally produced food or a unique place to stay overnight.

•   Historic places such as an old mining camp, a Main Street district, a long-used trail or trading post, or a restored building with distinctive architecture.

•   Scenic routes such as highway loops or bike trails.

•   Outdoor activities such as rafting, hiking, wildlife viewing, or fishing.

•   Traditions that reflect cooperation and relationships between communities.

•   Cultural sites such as museums, artisan workshops, or performing arts centers.

•   Community-based stewardship projects such as a community forest, ranchland heritage area, walkable community initiative, or watershed restoration effort.

In assessing whether to nominate a site for the MapGuide, consider the following questions:

•     Is this site open to the public and are there access restrictions?

•     Is the site well maintained and does it have capacity for increased use without harm?

•     Are there cultural or environmental issues that should be considered?

•     Is interpretive or educational information available at the site?

•     Does the site offer an experience that is unlikely to be found elsewhere?

•     Would this nomination help tell the story of your community or the greater region?

•     Does the site support local agriculture, artists or other small businesses?

•     Does the community benefit from and support visitation at the site?

•     Is there local awareness and pride in this place?

•     Would the nomination encourage greater understanding between communities, across state lines, or between states and tribal nations?

•     Does the site or event illustrate a link between local nature and local culture?

Residents and visitors to the area may submit nominations by June 30, 2008. National Geographic will work closely with a regional advisory group, the Greater Yellowstone Geotourism Stewardship Council, to select the sites and themes that will appear on the map. National Geographic will make the final determination on wording and site selection.

Download a copy of the MapGuide Nomination Guidelines here.

Proceed to the online nomination form here.