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Links to More Information  •  About the KLMS Working Group

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Klamath County, Oregon

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Links to More Information  •  About the KLMS Working Group

About the Klamath, Lake, Modoc, Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Strategy Working Group

Mission

The Working Group develops outdoor recreation strategies that identify and link opportunities for public and private organizations to cooperatively better serve the public, economically benefit local communities, and ensure conservation of the area's natural and cultural resources.

Background

Why Organized? - Group was organized in 1991 to address lack of a coordinated regional outdoor recreation strategy. Serious gaps in knowledge, coordination, and planning between public and private outdoor recreation providers were highlighted during the EIS process for a proposed ski area.

Current Participants? - Over 130 government, non-profit, and private businesses from four counties in two states have asked to be on mailing list. Attendance at regular meetings averages 20-25 (mixture of public and private interests).

Territory? - "Working Group" participants and activities cover about 20,000 sq. mi. Rationale for boundaries is based on market opportunities offered by Hwys. 97 and 395 travel corridors and visitor composition.

Examples of Goals

Biggest Bang for the Buck - Identify opportunities to collaborate on outdoor recreation information and marketing efforts.

Market-Driven and Consumer Friendly - Produce and distribute outdoor recreation information based on market research about customer needs, wants, and usage patterns (jurisdictional boundaries are down-played).

Bridging the Gap - Improve communication and increase trust between land management agencies, and businesses and organizations that serve visitors and residents who participate in outdoor recreation activities.

Benefit Local Communities - Assist local communities identify and market unique and sustainable outdoor recreation attractions and opportunities.

Readiness of Facilities- Ensure locations and facilities are ready for visitation increases prior to promoting them, and that development does not "kill the goose who laid the golden egg" (diminish or destroy what makes an activity or area unique and special).

Examples of Accomplishments

Communication and Cooperation - The Working Group has met regularly since 1991 to exchange information, and critically examine opportunities to cooperate within the context of Working Group strategic themes and goals. Working Group meetings and cooperative projects contribute to better relationships and communication between private businesses, and city, county, state, and Federal personnel, and focuses attention on shared goals and objectives (such as customer service).

Market Research - The Working Group uses basic market research to formulate plans and projects. An early example was a market survey of 50 tourism service providers, ranging from gas stations to bed-and-breakfast establishments, to identify what outdoor recreation information and format would best help them help their customers.

Answer People Customer Service Group - Sponsored formation of the "Answer People" to improve customer service. The group is composed of "frontline" visitor contact personnel, ranging from government receptionists to bed-and-breakfast owners. Many participants drive 200-miles roundtrip to attend meetings.

Outdoor Recreation Brochure Series - Designed and produced award-winning series of 19 recreation brochures, each focused on a different activity or topic. Brochure design and contents were based on market research rather than jurisdictional boundaries. The brochure series recently received critical acclaim from a nationally-recognized tourism consultant (originator of the "I Love New York" campaign). The brochure series has not been able to sustain the printed material, and is available at www.klms.net

Highway Reststop Displays - Over 40 highway reststop displays were installed in critical locations along major travel corridors (Hwy. 97, 395 and I-5) in Northern California and Southern Oregon. The display was so popular that private businesses purchased them for their own use, and also take them to trade shows. There is now a request to update the highway reststop displays focusing on the regional scenic byway system.

State and National Byway Designations - Working Group participants originated and organized cooperative efforts to obtain state-designation and national "All American Road" status for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (Klamath County, OR.) and the California portion Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, and state and national designation for the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway (Lake County, OR.), and the proposed Emigrant Trails Scenic Byway (Modoc County, CA).

Tear-Off-Sheet Maps - Maps based on the Highway Reststop Display (see above) proved so popular that they were reproduced in tablets (hence the name "tear-off sheet" maps). A private business sells advertising sponsorships on the regional versions of the map to support layout, printing and distribution. About 150,000 copies are printed per year based on public demand.

Diversified Funding - Financial support for administration and coordination of the Working Group is provided through a USFS and BLM cooperative agreement (involves six offices in two states).

Coordination and development of the Klamath Basin Birding Trail and coordination of the Basin & Range Birding Trail projects.

Examples of Projects in Progress

Based on recent market research, the Working Group is looking at ideas and designs for: 1) Revising the Highway Reststop display to focus on the regional scenic byway system; 2) Brochures for "easy-walking" loops and hikes (one-mile or less), and Regional Birding Trail brochure; and 3) Updating KLMS Website and development of new revenue sourced (sponsorships on the web). The Working Group also now facilitates special cooperative projects such as the proposed Klamath Basin Birding Trail and Basin-Range Birding Trail.

For Information

Cindy Deas, Private Business Coordinator
Cell Phone: 541-892-0596
Email: