Ecotourism appointee has Bourbon County ties

Among the appointees to the Kansas Ecotourism Steering Committee is someone with ties to Southeast Kansas.

Joe Bisogno of Olathe, president and CEO of Techcom Worldwide LLC, owns Timber Hills Lake Ranch in Mapleton. Timber Hills, according to its website, offers lodging, hunting, fishing and guided tours of the grounds, among many other attractions.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback earlier this week announced of the formation of the Kansas Ecotourism Steering Committee to help guide ecotourism efforts in Kansas. Brownback made the announcement during a news conference at the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita.

"One of my priorities is to boost ecotourism to get Kansans outdoors and to attract visitors from around the U.S. and the world," Brownback said in a news release. "There are many outstanding natural features in Kansas that are showcases for our state. This steering committee will help provide direction and guidance on ecotourism issues as well as recommend objectives, marketing strategies, and policies to grow this important industry in Kansas."

Based on jobs, tourism overall is the third-largest industry in Kansas, and has a total economic impact of more than $5.4 billion. In 2011, more than 790,000 people participated in wildlife-watching activities in Kansas, and made more than $208 million in trip-related purchases.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Secretary Robin Jennison will spearhead the 16 committee members who have varied experience, interest and expertise in ecotourism-related programs and activities.

"I look forward to working with this outstanding group of individuals to advance ecotourism in Kansas. They represent a wide variety of interests and backgrounds, so I am sure they will bring a lot of good ideas to the table," Jennison said in the release.

Ecotourism, also known as nature-based tourism, brings together conservation, travel, and communities to encourage travelers to explore the wonders of the outdoors in Kansas. Ecotourism encompasses hiking, biking, camping, wildflower walks, wildlife watching, river floating, visiting unique landscapes and many other outdoor activities.

The Ecotourism Steering Committee is an outgrowth of the Governor's Ecotourism Summit held in April at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center near Great Bend. The committee's first meeting was held Thursday at the KDWPT Northeast Regional Office in Topeka.

Other steering committee members include: Mike Beam, Topeka, Kansas Livestock Association; Dr. Ted Cable, Manhattan, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University; Cris Collier, Great Bend, president and CEO, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Also, Clare Gustin, Hays, vice president member services and external affairs, Sunflower Electric; Edward H. Hammond, Hays, Fort Hays State University president; Brian Leader, Omaha, Neb., landscape architect, National Park Service; Brad Loveless, Topeka, Westar Energy.

And Rob Manes, Wamego, state director, The Nature Conservancy in Kansas; Stephanie Manes, Wamego, Ranchland Trust of Kansas; Dr. Roger Marshall, Great Bend, Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioner; Alan Pollom, Topeka, vice president and senior conservation specialist, The Nature Conservancy in Kansas; Mike Reynolds, Omaha, Neb., Midwest regional director, National Park Service; Steve Sorensen, Valley Center Conservation Vice President, Kansas Wildlife Federation; Steve Swaffer, Rossville, Kansas Farm Bureau; Chris Wilson, Manhattan, farmer and rancher.