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