Sustainable Tourism Community of Learning and Practice Program

Sustainable Tourism Community of Learning and Practice

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Program and Colorado State University’s Center for Protected Area Management have teamed up to offer the Sustainable Tourism Community of Learning and Practice, piloting an integrated approach to strengthen capacity development in sustainable tourism worldwide.

The community of learning and practice combines 9-months of traditional and self-directed educational sessions, an intensive 17-day U.S. based field seminar, and a 6-month follow-up technical support and mentoring period for required participant projects, and ongoing engagement in a growing professional community. Throughout the in-depth 16-month program, participants will not only learn from a team of experts and a variety of professionals in the field of sustainable tourism in protected areas, they will learn from each other, as well as from past and future cohorts.

In this way, the community will achieve its goals of inspiring and facilitating change on the ground and expanding both individual and collective capacity to plan and manage sustainable tourism in ways that enhance resource protection, builds community resilience, and offers high-quality visitor experiences.

Organizers:

Colorado State University’s Center for Protected Area Management (CPAM) and the Office of International Programs of the U.S. Forest Service

Location:

Online & in Western U.S.A.

Format:

This program includes a 16-month intensive learning period, with 9-months of virtual learning, a 17-day U.S. site visit, and a 6-month project implementation period. The program also includes an ongoing community of learning and practice focused on sustainable tourism to protected areas for past participants.

Target Audience:

Mid-level professional and technical personnel who work for governmental or nongovernmental conservation and tourism organizations, in academia, in the private sector, and in community-based and indigenous tourism and conservation initiatives in or near protected areas.

Course Language:

English

Course Dates:

December 2024 – March 2026 and participation in the ongoing sustainable tourism community of learning and practice.

See the “Our Approach” page for information on the phases of the program. For a detailed schedule of the program, download our Seminar Calendar.

U.S. Site Visit Dates:

September 4 – 20, 2025

Arrival date to Fort Collins, Colorado: September 3, 2025

Departure date from U.S.: September 21, 2025

Course Edition:

9th overall; 2nd edition of the recently transformed version of the program into the “community of learning and practice”

Program Cost:

This program is being developed in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service International Programs Office. They will be sponsoring all 20 spots in the 2024-26 cohort. Interested participants can direct inquiries to U.S. Forest Service country program contacts or reach out to program organizers for more information.

Program Brochure:

The program is offered in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service International Programs Office and is supported by funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.