Planet

Six of the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals focus on environmental areas, on which all life depends. These include:

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land

More than 5 million visitors come to Hamilton County each year for day and overnight trips. Helping support the hospitality sector in providing tools to reduce waste and environmental impact while identifying ways to educate visitors on how they can reduce their impact here are important to tourism sustainability in the county.

Many of Hamilton County’s partners are also working toward this goal, from Conner Prairie to Live Nation’s Ruoff Music Center. Restaurants are adopting composting programs in addition to vigorous recycling initiatives. The White River Vision Plan supports a clean and free-flowing river that provides two-thirds of neighboring Marion County’s water supply.

Much progress is being made, yet there is much more to work that can be done.

Fact: Travel supports jobs and families, helps sustain quality of life and provides almost $1 billion in economic spending in Hamilton County. Yet, tourism also can contribute to increased waste, environmental degradation when unchecked and create a net negative impact on communities.

Hamilton County Tourism will work with its local partners to raise awareness, support sustainability initiatives and lead important conversations around the topic of environmental impact.

Current Projects:

Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District Partnership
White River Vision Plan Technical Committee Support
Discover White River Awareness Support
Pilot Projects in the Areas of Composting and Quality Recycling at Major Venues and Events
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Partnership
Grants for Sustainability Projects
Research and Awareness of Existing Initiatives to Inspire Others