What Is Sustainable Tourism
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – explosive tourism growth. Anyone that has visited or lives in a popular destination can see the social, environmental, and economic impacts on the community. Does that mean you shouldn’t come? Absolutely not. Rather, take responsibility for your actions – direct or indirect so that you can enjoy it as well as your children and children’s children can too. Here’s a few quick tips on how you can do just that when enjoying Bishop’s Big Backyard.
Leave Nature Better Than It Was
From Maine to California, nature is experiencing a renaissance. In fact, 53 percent of Americans ages 6 and over have participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2021. The highest participation rate on record! With so many more hiking, biking, and paddling in Bishop’s Big Backyard, it’s up to all of us to follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. In fact, to help visitors and locals alike, we’ve created the Bishop Big Backyard Pledge.
Drink Bishop Tap
Did you know that the delicious H2O within those plastic water bottles comes from the Owens River Valley? Skip the middleman and fill up a re-usable water bottle with that oh-so delicious water. If you didn’t bring your own water bottle, buy one from one of the many local shops.
Bring Your Own Tote For Shopping & Vacationing
For anyone that’s driven on US-395 will tell you, the winds can really roar, tossing around tumbleweeds and bushes like no one’s business. This same wind can pick up those plastic bags too. They also clog drains, contaminate soil, and take over 1,000 years to break down. Already banned in Bishop, why not take it one step forward and bring a tote with you.
Big backyard activities like hiking usually means bringing extra supplies. You need something to carry them in. Bring or get a large, reliable tote bag that’ll double as a carrying case and a purse, so you can keep all your things together in one place.
Charging The EV
For those of you that have made the leap to an electrical vehicle, there are several spots where you can charge your car including one right in the center of town: Tesla Supercharging station and Vons Supercharging Station.
In summary, you don’t have to sacrifice all the fun to have a sustainable vacation in Bishop. Think of yourself as a local if only for a few hours or even a week-long stay and share your respect with the community. Pickup that piece of trash you find on the trail, bring a reusable tote, or shop local. Each positive action you do will leave this community in better shape than when you came.
