World Proclamation of Emancipation 2011

By Andrew N. Skadberg
February 20, 2011

Today marks the realization that we have within our reach the creation of a networked, Internet based tool-set to free humanity from the illusionary reality that it has imposed upon itself based on a mis-representation of the spiritual and intentional powers of human-beings.

Today, as a representative of the collective, human experience Eye proclaim and set forth in this document my realization that we have easily within our grasp the capabilities, skills, tools, resources and collective Will to solve all of the illusions of our collective sufferings: things like war, poverty, starvation, disease, strife, homelessness, and any other type of collectively created and supported concepts and mis-understandings that oppose the concept of Reverence for Life. These ideas are now history. History is only a reflection of the past. It does not exist. And our perspective as we understand it, and typically present it, is a reflection and is only a sliver of the truth of our collective experience. And we have habitually, as a collective, overemphasized what we collectively call “the negative”. This has perpetuated these experiences into our present, while also likely projecting those images into our future. They are not the truth. They are just a story that we have created which has been a form of entertainment, or a tool to teach us of our powers. But it is now time to let these things go. As we envision a new reality, and take the actions to use the tools at our disposal to accomplish the great re-creation we stand on the precipice of paradise on Earth.

As a sovereign being, a representative of our collective human family, I boldly state my intention today that the challenges listed above are all easily addressed. The potential means, and some details of how this might be accomplished, will be presented in a diagrammatic presentation below.

However, before these brief details are presented, Eye, as a catalyst, a Being who is a fully aware and conscious aspect of the multi-verse hologram, a Divine expression of the ONE, put forth the power of The Word, intention and attention, fueled by Love to bring into manifestation the elements that are presented. This presentation does not assume any particular order but to represent the broad array of opportunities for re-creation and emancipation. We will accomplish this profound consciousness change towards conscious evolution through: revitalization, education, improvisation, innovation, recreation, imagination, destination, commercialization, transportation, transmutation, catalyzation, vitalization, realization, technologization, experiementation, transformation, and visualization.

Eye now present this to the Universal Mind, and release all expectations and attachments to materiality to allow Spirit to manifest that which is in alignment with One Love and trust that the capabilities and capacities of the Universal Mind will easily accomplish all that is being invited to be created. Today marks the day that One Human Being, of the collective human experience, recognizes the power of the Word to transform. And the presentation of that intention to the Universal Mind will allow it to become manifest. With Great Love, So Be It!






Here is a brief description of the elements included in the above diagram.

Individual Empowerment and Collaborative Networking (Orange Box)
The center of this diagram shows the heart of the matter for re-creation. Empowering individuals and facilitation of collaborative networking is the foundation and starting point. By providing a simple set of tools, and the skill-set to use them, we will be able to transform the world one person at a time.

The World Self Management Institute
The Practice provides the connection to Spirit through each individual’s breath. As each person becomes conscious of their breath, and the other skills contained in The Practice, a catalyst ignites the powers of the Universal Mind.

Collaborative Networking – I Am Sharing
The next stage in online networking is collaborative networking, bringing people together to share, cooperate, have fun and “be the change they want to see in the world”. The collaborative networking model will provide the tools necessary to allow people to find other like-minded people to create new opportunities and collaborative projects. This component has significant documentation in addition to this introduction.

Tourism as an Initiator (Blue Box)
Tourism touches all aspects of the economic systems in the world today. So, it is a great vehicle for transformation. Also tourism is a harbinger for peace. The Internet is a tool that we can use to help us to make the most of the industry.

It is still paramount that the environment be protected. That can be accomplished by distributing tourism development as broadly as possible and utilizing proper planning methods to minimize impacts.

Travel Portal
Currently being called “YouTooTravel” this element will create a global portal for travelers to find and purchase (as long as we have the existing economic system) experiential travel.

Support to Travel Industry
Travel Talk Media is the natural solution to providing holistic information, services and media support and education to the various travel industry associations and communities.

Online Catalog
People like to purchase things when they travel. Additionally, small hand-crafts people, artisans, musicians, etc. need support to find people to purchase what the make. By creating an online presence and supporting via networking, marketing and education we can significantly enhance the economic situation of the people and the communities where they live. The key is to focus on getting “living wages” to these people and eliminate the exploitative production of things of very little value.

Accommodations Support
Providing “back-office” support for smaller accommodations will enhance the travel industry significantly. By gathering these entities together into a larger collaborative group we will be able to help them find customers and provide many other services through our educational and technology solutions.

Vacation Education
Based on a project that was already created to help people and families make the connection to quality learning and leisure pursuits. In addition to supporting travelers, teachers would find support and services to connect up with good experiential learning opportunities, and get guidance for how create quality programs.

Associations Support
The Internet is a powerful tool to support associations, in addition to their typical offerings for conferences and other programs. Creating a network of associations in the interest of serving the tourism industry, and all of the ancillary activities will be a powerful to organize and create a collaborative and cooperative atmosphere which is a much better model than competition.

Education/Community, Environment (Green Box)

Virtual Education – Institute – Experiential University
Empowerment starts with preparing people to learn, and find the resources and tools to help them transform their lives. The internet is the most powerful tool to support people to do this and to help them make their dreams come true. Our view is that the only way we learn is by doing, or through experiential education. And combining the power of the Internet, experiential education and practical resources is the future of education.

Sustainable Development and Communities – Honoring Our Mother Earth (HOME) Communities
Grass-roots revitalization in the interest of sustainability is happening around the world. Supporting this process by providing access to quality information, case-studies, and networking tools will enhance this process greatly. Additionally, linking these various communities, initiatives and organizations together into a larger global network will also accelerate this process.

Environmental Amelioration – Remote Sensing and Technology
Protecting and ameliorating the environmental impacts that humanity has imposed on the earth is the most important foundation of this entire proposal. Technology provides a tool-set to help us deal with the environmental challenges that we face as global family. Putting these tools to use is critical. Immense opportunities exist to implement many solutions that are facing the people of the world.

The Benefits of Experiential and “Nature-Based” Tourism

The Benefits of Experiential and “Nature-Based” Tourism
By Andrew N. Skadberg, Ph.D.

Provided below is a description of why creating, participating in, doing, developing or teaching experiential and nature-based tourism is a good thing. There are multiple beneficiaries and a wide variety of opportunities that arise.
Nature-based tourism most importantly provides opportunities for people to experience the out-of-doors, to breathe fresh air, to notice the beauty of nature. Through effective interpretation and programming people can be guided to gain a new appreciation for the natural world at many levels.

The benefactors of these processes are everyone involved including landowners or providers, the participants, communities and the neighboring communities, and ultimately nature herself. To start, let’s take a look at a list of descriptors, or elements, connected to the potential GOOD that can come from actively seeking to create, and participate in experiential and Nature-based Tourism. But first the definition of “experiential tourism” refers to the experience derived from any form of recreation or tourist activity. Experiential tourism encompasses all touristic experiences including, but not limited to ecotourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, cultural and historical tourism culinary tourism, outdoor recreation, etc.

Short List of Benefits of Experiential and Nature-based tourism
- Essentially benefits every person, and entity involved.
- Diversity of activities and possibilities nearly unlimited.
- Developed properly highlights the best of nature/people/history/culture.
- Establishes and fosters a connection between people and between people and nature.
- Stimulates creativity for providers and participants.
- Fosters cooperation, between people, businesses, communities, etc.
- Connects kids, families and everyone involved in the process.
- Nature tourism is inherently educational, and experiential which assures impact.
- For communities and society if done in a diversified and cooperative fashion distributes “risk” both economic and for environmental impacts.
- For the providers, if done thoughtfully, it does not require a great deal of capital to get started.

Technology
It may seem ironic, but with creative and sensible development of Internet based support, incredible possibilities and potentials open up. Developing these possibilities has been the author’s primary aim since about 1997. A very short list of benefits includes:

- Creating regional and community network(s) creates a multiplicity of benefits for communities, providers, collaborators and participants.
- Creates the ways that the whole spectrum of businesses (providers, attractions, accommodations, services) can cooperate.
- The tourism industry is riddled with the “competitive” mindset, from agencies or NGOs that are supporting it, to businesses. This approach works against the industry, and the Internet provides the ways to overcome this “old school” mentality of competition and helps people move to the creative mind.
- Online resources provide a way for organizations, businesses, associations and people to “pool” their often limited resources to more effectively realize and benefit from their opportunities.

Some Inherent Benefits and the Case Study of a Rancher Provider
The process of developing experiential and nature-based tourism inherently educates and inspires the people doing it (providers and participants) to become more environmentally conscious. This addresses the #1 concern in the world, in the author’s opinion, of connecting people with Gaia and awakening their Spirit. This then leads to more conscientious creation, which leads to the people finding their passion and then the realization that they can participate in more enjoyable activities, both for their work and leisure.

Whether we admit it or not, people love to talk about themselves. People love to tell their stories, what they love, what their experiences have been, their connections to their place, their family and ancestors. The “story of people and places” is the essence of experiential tourism.

Creating natural, cultural or historical based tourism enhances ways to keep family ties strong. Practically every human longs to keep family ties strong. Fathers and mothers want their children to come home after a time away. And fathers want their children to appreciate their work, and possibly continue the family legacy. But experiential and nature-based tourism have qualities that are very special. There is a magical quality that is derived when people desire to create quality experiences - to share the best of their lives, to connect people to nature, especially people who have not had the opportunity or been taught how to appreciate the beauty, wonder and inherent magic of the natural world. Children today have experienced an unsettling disconnect to the natural world. The distraction of bombarding technologies, super stimulation from television, video games, cell phones, etc. have caused most to be unaware of nature. But nature beckons us to re-connect them to her, to create opportunities to spend time in nature. At the same time that the quiet, mystical connection is made to Gaia, an opportunity arises for them to reconnect to themselves too.

Working with farmers and ranchers in Texas I imagined creating the possibility of a rancher, who might have been was previously disconnected from the backdrop of beauty of his property, to become aware. To awaken to the genuine privilege that he has had to live and work in nature. During the process of developing a quality experience, he would learn more about conservation and protection of the environment, animals and plants. Then he would create a unique experience based upon his life experience and passion. Then he could decide that one of his audiences would be underprivileged children from inner-city Houston. All that would be necessary to make this happen would be for the rancher to connect up with a science of geography teacher and then to arrange transportation to his ranch. During this process, the rancher would be the harbinger of great, and beautiful impacts on the children that got to experience what he created. This would be so easily accomplished and was one of the “dreamed of” outcomes of the Texas Education Vacation initiative, a project of the Texas Travel Industry Association back in 2005.

Supporting and Educating Providers
Likely the best way to explain this is to describe what we were doing when we were working with landowners and rural communities in Texas. A group of concerned farmers, ranchers and community leaders came to the university with issues regarding having enough money to maintain their farms and ranches. This is a common problem. In many cases the farmers end up having a job, which essentially they do to “subsidize” their ranching and farming activities.
We began working with them and West Texas community leaders to assess ways to provide assistance to diversify their ranch and farm operations. Our approach was to assist them to add a new “business enterprise” to their operations, which is the best way to handle a new activity, or a completely new type of business. In order to assess the economic viability of a new set of operations, it is best to handle it as a “stand alone” operation. The Nature Tourism Guidebook: Evaluating Enterprise Opportunities, was the final product of this process.

Now the great thing about experiential tourism (eco, heritage, agri, etc.) is that the opportunities are essentially limitless. The variables for what kind of businesses a person create are only limited by the imagination. In fact, we often used the example that you could have two families living adjacent to each other, on very similar lands, but the experience for the visitor would end up being completely different. This is because the type of product that is created depends on the personal interests of the creator, the personality of each of the people involved with providing the services, the kinds of activities being supported for the visitors, the types of accommodations, the types of outside activities that are being promoted, etc. All of these things are variables that can be used to create unique “experiences”.

The Fragmentation of Tourism Creates Confusion
There is a very important digression that needs to be introduced about how tourism has been segmented into so many “categories”, or “niches” as it is commonly called in tourism circles. This, I believe, has been one of the greatest detractors of coordinated and thoughtful tourism development. People think that “ecotourism” is a unique, exclusive experience. Of course, definitionally, it does have important aspects. However, those have all been lost as a result of mis-use of the term by un-informed “marketers” that are trying to use the “fad” of ecotourism to attract customers. All of this has resulted in great confusion in the marketplace, and a loss of the intent of ecotourism, which in its inception was noble. Now, how do you know if what you are going to find is a “real” ecotourism experience? Do we start tacking words on like “really real ecotourism”?

In fact, this type of segmentation really has caused a fragmentation in an industry that in which the “product” can be captured in one word “experience”. Stan Hodge, the state tourism statistician for Texas, just months before his passing in 2005 provided the most emphatic support of this concept when he said “the emerging trends in tourism make clear the three most important factors in the tourism industry 1) experience, 2) experience, and 3) EXPERIENCE!

So let’s look at this briefly from the participants, or tourist point of view. Except for really specialized people, who only are looking for certain kinds of experiences, and repeating those experiences (e.g. serious birders) the majority of people when they do “tourism” end up partaking of many types of tourism in one trip. For example, usually people have a main focus, or interest such as heritage or visiting a museum, but on that trip they are likely to also participate in other forms: “nature tourism” – any viewing of nature or taking pictures (we do this driving in our cars); “culinary tourism” most people eat while they travel, “cultural tourism” – when you enter into a region, country or place that is not your home, you are going to partake in that places culture; “shopping tourism” – almost everyone buys something when they travel, “agritourism”, almost everyone sees farms, visits a market, eats local foods and maybe even takes a tour on a farm while also on their “heritage tour”. I could go on and on with this example, I think you get the point.

This fragmentation, in my observation, has been a result of various agencies that are “missioned” to support their constituents in their specific area of responsibility (historical societies promote “heritage” and agricultural agencies promote “agritourism”). But this segmenting of the marketplace has created a great deal of confusion for entrepreneurs and communities who are uninformed about how to create quality tourism experiences. Often times they think that they are going to create a “agritourism” (or is it agrotourism, or agritainment?) product, but don’t really know what that entails, or how that fits into the greater tourism rubric. The point here, is people are mostly looking for experiences. And the provision of the best tourism experiences should be a “blending” of a variety of experiences. Providing people, who are looking for new, interesting and quality experiences, that - good, robust experiences that satisfy the whole person. This does not mean that individual providers, or businesses or organizations cannot focus on a particular specialty, or niche, it just means to see the tourism product being more comprehensive, wholistic, within the greater context of “experiences”. The best tourism provision sees that the tourist is moving through geographical space, and partaking of a variety of experiences that satisfies a variety of interests, desires and needs. Most human beings are “generalists”, with some special interests, but open to many different experiences. And generalists comprise, by far, the greater “opportunity space” for regions, communities, businesses and attractions.

By taking the perspective of a bunch “specializations” is like treating tourism experiences as a bunch of “islands” of experiences. This is not a good perspective. The best experiences, in most cases, will provide the traveler a blended experience. Taking care of the whole person is the key. The tourism providers, whether it is the community, individual businesses, or other organizations should pay special attention to making good segues and connections between the experiences. This is why the best tourism is developed through a cooperative and collaborative mind-set as compared to a competitive one. The idea is to make a “big pie” which everyone contributes to, so each entity can have a nice big piece of the collective pie, instead of fighting over one tiny pie. We can see this phenomenon in how businesses “cluster” businesses such as fast food chains in cities. In tourism, this concept is called a “critical mass of attractions.” This concept is developed by what was mentioned before, moving from the competitive mindset to the creative (and thus cooperative). This philosophy or approach has been proven successful in innumerable contexts, but are also supported by such diverse people as John Nash, the Nobel Prize winner in Economics, and Wallace D. Wattles, the author of “The Science of Getting Rich”.



Diagram 1: Establishing a critical mass of attractions via coordination and technology – (example provided for Iowa)

Creating Critical Mass and Virtual Meeting Places
The Network – creating critical mass and supporting via technologies

It is a well established theory in tourism that regions are necessary to sustain a viable base of resources for attracting visitors. These principles for regionalism are now being embraced as necessary for all levels of economic development (see Rural Policy Conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 2004).

We can see an even broader implication of this understanding and envision, potentially, an entire restructuring of societies. Toward that end a critical element of this process will be the utilization of technologies for forming, and facilitating these network functions. To illustrate this idea tourism can be a lead driver for this process so a “case-study” should focus on tourism. However, since tourism as an industry touches most sectors of the economy, in some form or fashion, it is easy to expand the idea of “critical mass” to the other aspects of regional and community development. The beauty of the Internet and computer software and technologies is that once the network is constructed the machine will actually coordinate, track, and monitor all activities, in perpetuity.

Diagram 1 depicts the need to establish a critical mass of attractions in order to attract more visitors and to be able to support a regional, national and international branding effort for enhancing tourism development (the map in Diagram 1 is Iowa). In addition, through the pooling of organizational, institutional and community resources, capacity building is enhanced via improvements in efficiencies and effectiveness due to improved communication and coordination.
Effective coordination is easily accommodated by utilizing Internet Communication Technologies (ICT). Due to the ease of “manifesting” and supporting “The Network” with ICT tools, we will be better able to support regional networking and collaboration. The model we employ is about cooperation and creativity rather than a competitive model. This focus results in the greatest benefits for the greatest number of people, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”.

Completing the Circle – Connecting with Gaia, and the Individual
So going back to wrap up on this idea of the benefits of nature tourism, we can see the heart of the matter is about life experiences. One of my earliest realizations in my professional career in Leisure, and outdoor recreation, I realized that there has been a disconnect between people and the natural world. In fact, my earliest recognition of my “mission” or purpose came to me in about 1987. I have written an essay about this experience so I won’t go into detail here. However, in a nutshell, the insight came to me that my job in this world was to help people get access to the natural world, and quality experiences, so that an opportunity was created for the Spirit of nature to touch people’s hearts. In this process people can become awakened to the importance of our absolutely, interdependent relationship with the Earth and nature, or the living Spirit of the world named Gaia.

Andrew Skadberg's CV

Andrew N. Skadberg
Curriculum Vitae

January 2011

Education

2002 Ph.D. Environmental Geography
Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas

Dissertation Topic: Nature Tourism in Cyberspace: an Examination of Its Geography and Character in the Network.

Chair: James R. Kimmel, Ph.D.

1992 M.S. Forestry
Economics and Marketing Concentration
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Chair: Joe P. Colletti, Ph.D.

1989 B.A. Leisure Studies
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Professional Experience

Employer - Position - Dates
Self Employed Solomon Source - Founder/President - Feb. 2008 to Present

Universidad de Tolima, Ibabague, Colombia S.A. - Faculty of Education English Instructor - Aug. 2010 to Mar. 2011


Oxford Centre, Ibabague, Colombia S.A. - English Instructor - Jul. 2010 to Mar. 2011

Texas A&M University, Vice President for Research Scientist - Assistant Research Scientist - Nov. 2006 to Feb. 2008

AdventGX Corporation - Co-Founder/Chief Knowledge Officer - Nov. 2004 to Nov. 2006

Texas A&M University, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences - Asst. Professor/Extension Specialist , Dec. 2002 to Nov. 2004
- Extension Associate 2001 to Dec. 2002

Southwest Texas State University, Department of Geography - Research Assistant - 1997 to 2001

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Asst. Director Catalogue Sales - 1993 to 1997


Iowa State University, Department of Forestry - Research Assistant - 1990 to1992


Research and Professional Interests

• Evolving Higher-ed Extension activities and examining the role of technology to create commercialization and technology transfer from universities and public institutions, while extending benefits, education and outreach to the public domain

• Examining how the Internet is impacting rural economic development as it relates to marketing and protecting natural resource amenities for tourism development.

• Exploration of the formation and evolution of Web-based communities by following nature tourism business actors.

• Development of Web based educational resources for communities and entrepreneurs interested in developing businesses in rural regions.

• Development of centralized information systems to facilitate rural community and enterprise decision-making.

Grants and Contracts

Title: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s Global Research Partnership. Institute for Scientific Computation, Texas A&M University
Amount: $20,000,000 (preliminary proposal with team organized by Dr. Richard Ewing, Vice President for Research. I was preliminarily appointed a co-leader for Education by Ewing. I left Texas A&M after Dr. Ewing’s passing Dec. 2007).

Title: Wetland conservation, nature based tourism and rural economic development. Roundtable session with China – U.S. Conference. Organized/sponsored by Texas A&M University and hosted by Peking University, Beijing, China.
Amount: $17,625 (co-chair with Jianbang Gan, Yongxia Skadberg, Tiger Wood and Rick Giardino. Nov. 14-17, 2005.

Title: Demonstration Version of TxDOT Travel Information Kiosks (TexBox)
for Four Safety Rest Areas.
Amount: $44,344 (co-PI with Yongxia Skadberg) Texas Dept. of Transportation contract. Feb. 2003.

Title: Visit Big Bend Visitor Information Gathering and Marketing Study
Amount: $31,767 (co-investigator with Scott Shafer, P.I. & Yongxia Skadberg). Contract with Visit Big Bend Tourism Council. Jan. 2003.

Title: Development of Texas INFRONT (Information Network of Farm, Ranch, Outdoor-Recreation and Nature Tourism)
Amount: $8,000 (co-investigator with Yongxia Skadberg). RREA Grant, 2002.

Title: Development Of An Online, Database Driven Market Evaluation Tool (Tourism Market Match) For Rural Texas Communities & Landowners
Amount: $7,400 (co-investigator with Yongxia Skadberg). RREA Grant, 2002.

Title: Nature Tourism Evaluation Workshop Series & Video: Landowner Nature Tourism Handbook Implementation & Training
Amount: $8,000 (co-investigator with Miles Phillips). RREA Grant, 2002.

Title: Development of an online tourism market assessment tool for
destination managers. Travel Research Grant, sponsored by the Travel and Tourism Research Association.
Amount $2,000 (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), RREA Grant, 2002.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Arkansas
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Colorado
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Delaware
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Illinois
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Maryland
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of New Mexico
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Pennsylvania
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Texas
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Wyoming
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2001.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Arizona
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2002.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Connecticut
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2002.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Louisiana
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2002.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Missouri
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2002.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Georgia
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2003.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Nevada
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2003.

Title: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Washington
Amount: $20,000 (5 years) (co-investigator with James Petrick, P.I.), 2003.

Title: Development of an Online Nature Tourism Market Determination Tool for Texas Landowners.
Amount: $6,000 (co-investigator with James Petrick) RREA Grant, 2001.

Title: Development of a Nature Tourism Guide Curriculum and Implementation Strategy.
Amount: $6,000 (co-investigator with Miles Phillips and James Kimmel). RREA Grant, 2001.

Title: Texas Historical Commission, to plan a heritage tourism program (Texas Heritage Trail Program) for the State of Texas.
Amount: $15,000 (co-investigator with James Kimmel, P.I.). 1998.

Publications and Presentations

Publications--Refereed
Skadberg Y., A. Skadberg, and J. Kimmel. 2005. Flow Experience and Its Impact on the Effectiveness of a Tourism Website. Information Technology and Tourism, Vol. 7, Nos 3/4.
Skadberg, A., Y. Skadberg. 2002. Developing online resources to address the needs of landowners and communities interested in nature tourism as an economic diversification strategy. Journal of Extension [On-line]. (Accepted)

Jamal, T., Y. Skadberg and A. Skadberg. 2002. Re-engineering ecotourism: sustaining rural nature and the ‘family farm’ with IT-based tools. Submitted to the Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration (Special Issue on Sustainable Places).

Jamal, T., A. Skadberg and K. Williams 2002. The agricultural ethic, information technology and nature tourism: intermediaries of sustainability in Calhoun County, Texas. Submitted to the Journal of Sustainable Tourism (In review).

Larsen, R., R. Stephenson, and A. Skadberg. 2000. Using a geographic information system to identify existing and potential future impacts on the Edwards Aquifer – from closed municipal solid waste landfills in the state of Texas. Papers and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences. Vol. 23, 2000. p. 236-244.

Kimmel, J., R. Stephenson, A. Skadberg. 2000. Tourism interpretation: the need for geographic concepts and themes. Papers and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences. Vol. 23, 2000.

Book Chapter

Jamal, Tazim, Skadberg, A. and K. Williams. 2002. The State of Nature Tourism in Texas: Sustaining the Rural Agricultural Family Enterprise. In “Ecotourism: Management and Assessment”, Dimitrios Diamantis and Susan Geldenhuys (eds.). (In review)

Other Publications

Li, X., Petrick, J. & Skadberg, A. (2004). A post-hoc analysis of state tourism website
users: Differences between visitors and non-visitors. Proceedings of the 2004 Travel and
Tourism Research Association Annual Conference. Montreal, Canada. Travel and
Tourism Research Association

Skadberg, A. J. James, M. D. Phillips, J. Kimmel and C. Watt. 2004. Nature and heritage tourism: a guidebook for evaluating enterprise opportunities. Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University.

Skadberg, A., J. P. Colletti, R. Robertson, C. Mize, J. Regula, J. Gan, W. Premachandra, C. Lufumpa and C. Twarok. 1991. Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment. Proceedings from the Regional Lake Management Conference. North American Lake Management Society. Des Moines, Iowa. June 10-12, 1991.

Colletti, J., C. Mize, D. Schultz, L. Rule, A. Skadberg, R. Hall, and P. Wray. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Ames Forester 78:24-30.

R. Schultz, J.P. Colletti, C.W. Mize, A. Skadberg, M.F. Christian, W. Simpkins, M. Thompson and B. Menzel. 1991. Sustainable tree-shrub-grass buffer strips along midwestern waterways. Proceedings Of The Second Conference On Agroforestry In North America. Springfield, Missouri August 18-21, 1991 Edited By H. E. 'Gene' Garrett, The School of Natural Resources University of Missouri Columbia, MO.

J.P. Colletti, C.W. Mize, R.C. Schultz, A. Skadberg, J. Mattila, R. Hall, L. Rule, P. Wray, M. Thompson, I. Anderson and D. Buxton. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Proceedings Of The Second Conference On Agroforestry In North America. Edited By H. E. 'Gene' Garrett, The School of Natural Resources University of Missouri Columbia, MO.

Colletti, J.P. L. Rule, A. Skadberg, D. Schultz, C. Mize, R.B. Hall, and P.H. Wray. 1991. Agroforestry systems for the Midwest, Ames Forester 78: 10-13.

Colletti, J., C. Mize, D. Schultz, L. Rule, A. Skadberg, R. Hall, and P. Wray. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Ames Forester 78: 24-30.

Colletti, J., C Mize, R. Schultz, R. Faltonson, A. Skadberg, J. Mattila, M. Thompson, R. Scharf, L Anderson, C. Accola, D. Buxton, and R. Brown. 1991. An Alleycropping Biofuels System: Operation and Economics Opportunities for Agroforestry in the Temperate Zone Worldwide. Proceedings of the Third North American Agroforestry Conference. J. P. Colletti and R. C. Schultz, Editors M. R. Saunders, Managing Editor

Technical Reports

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. and Skadberg, A. 2001. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Fourth Quarter 2001. Report for Texas Economic Development, Market Texas Tourism (January 31, 2002.

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. and Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: First Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming (April 15, 2002).

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. and Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Second Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming (July 15, 2002).

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. and Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Third Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming (October 15, 2002).

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. and Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Fourth Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming (January 15, 2003).

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. and Skadberg, A. 2003. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: First Quarter 2003. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming (April 15, 2003).

Closed Landfill Inventory Project Team. “Closed Landfill Inventory: Progress report phase II.” Prepared for South Texas Development Council, Laredo, Texas. February 2, 2001.

Interdisciplinary Research Team for Iowa State University. “Winnebago Forest and Agriculture Alternatives Feasibility Study: Final Report.” Submitted to The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Agency—Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. May 31, 1992.

Interdisciplinary Research Team for Iowa State University. “Winnebago Forest and Agriculture Alternatives Feasibility Study: Resource Assessment Report.” Submitted to The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Agency—Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. August 22, 1991

Skadberg, A. Historical review of Lake Red Rock. Appendix of the Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment Survey. A cooperative study by Iowa State University, the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Army Corps of Engineers. 1990.

Skadberg, A. Analysis of Question #34: An open ended question from the on-site user survey. The Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment Survey. A cooperative study by Iowa State University, the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Army Corps of Engineers. 1990.

Books – Self Published

Skadberg, Andrew N. 2010. “Poetry and Essays About Love, Life and One”. Self published. 138 pages. Available at no cost via email request.

Skadberg, Andrew N. 2010. “VISION We Are Re-Creating the World: A Resource Manual - "tool-box"- for revitalization and empowerment through grass-roots strategies and environmental awareness”. Self published. 462 pages. Available at no cost via email request.

Skadberg, Andrew N. 2009. “I Am Sharing: Thoughts, Experiences and Learning About Love and Service”. Self published. 241 Pages. Available at no cost via email request.

Skadberg, Andrew N. 2009. “When Love Guides Your Thoughts”. Self published. 199 Pages. Available at no cost via email request.

Skadberg, Andrew N. 2010. “Your Breath – Your Key”. Self published. 37 Pages. Available at no cost via email request.

Desmond D. Green and A.N. Skadberg (editor). 2010. “Global Citizenship Passport”. Self published. 102. Available at no cost via email request.

Lectures and Conference Presentations

“The Regional and Community Empowerment Project – Colombia” abstract accepted for the Tourism Progress and Peace. The Dead Sea, Jordan. March 24-26, 2011. http://www.tourismprogressandpeace.com/index.html

“Viva Quindio: Estrategia Regional Turística Creatividad y Colaboración”
Sustainable Tourism Conference. University of Pereira, Pereira, Colombia. December 12, 2008.

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Basic Economic Development Course. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University. Austin, Texas. Oct 26, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Iowa”, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Des Moines, Iowa – Apr. 26, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Missouri”, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Osage Beach, Missouri – May 25.

“Tourism Builds Communities – North/South Dakota”, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Sioux Falls, SD – Aug. 9, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Minnesota”, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Minneapolis, MN – Nov. 2, 2006.

Tourism Potential for Washington County, Texas - Keynote Address, Tourism Week Celebration, Brenham, Texas.

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Basic Economic Development Course. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University. Frisco, Texas. Apr. 20, 2006.

“Capturing Clicks Best of NAFDMA Web Sites & what makes a good Web site? - Andrew Skadberg & Yongxia Skadberg, North American Farmers Direct Martketing Association. Annual Conference, Austin, Texas Jan. 13, 2006.

“On the Ecotourism Trail – Stepping Back to See the Big Picture: Successful Community Tourism Development”. – North American Farmers Direct Martketing Association. Annual Conference, Austin, Texas Jan. 13, 2006

“A New Era of Rural Economic Development: the Case of Van Horn, Texas”. China – U.S. Conference. Organized by Texas A&M University and hosted by Peking University, Beijing, China. Nov. 14-17, 2005

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Basic Economic Development Course. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas. Nov. 8, 2005.

“Hot-spot installation and implications of wireless technologies for rural economic development”. Un-wired Conference, University of Georgia, Extension. Tifton, Georgia Nov.1-2, 2005.

“Successful Community Tourism Develoment”. Iowa Tourism Conference, Iowa Department of Economic Development. Council Bluffs, Iowa, October 24, 2005.

“AdventGX” Presentation to Parral Consortium. Texas A&M Research Park, College Station, Texas. June 21, 2005.

“Texas Education Vacation”. Bryan/College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Retreat. Bryan, Texas. March 24, 2005.

“Texas Education Vacation – Focus Group. Oakwood Intermediate, College Station ISD, College Station, Texas. March 10, 2005.

“Travel and Education: a Bright Future for Texas”. Texas Travel Industry Association, Unity Dinner. Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas. February 14, 2005.

“The South West Texas Tourism Partnership: creating a destination and fostering a sustainable tourism partnership”. (Presented twice) National Extension Tourism Conference. Traverse City, Michigan. September 16-20, 2002.

“What others are doing elsewhere and why it’s important.” Trans-Pecos Landowners’ Nature Tourism Opportunities Forum. Iraan, Texas. March 21, 2002.

“Nature Tourism in Texas: Challenges, Efforts and Opportunities.” UT-SWT grad student colloquium exchange. Austin, Texas .April 14, 2000.

“State of Nature Tourism in Texas: Challenges, Efforts and Opportunities.” Southwestern Division, Association of American Geographers Annual Conference. The Southwest Texas State University. San Marcos, Texas. October 19–23, 1999.

“Nature Tourism in Texas…2000 and Beyond.” Member Panel Discussion. Texas Travel Summit, Texas Travel Industry Association. Galveston, Texas. Sept. 26-29, 1999.

“The Opportunities Offered for Nature and Heritage Tourism Development.” Presentation to Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce. February 25, 1998.

Other Meetings, Workshops and Poster Presentations

“Successful Tourism Development” as part of the Basic Economic Development Course, Texas Engineering Extension, Texas A&M University System. College Station, Texas. November 8, 2005.

“Utilizing Online Resources Available at the Texas Nature Tourism Information Center” as part of The Nuts and Bolts of Starting a Nature Tourism Business. Palacios, Texas. August 21, 2003.

“Interpretive Guide Training Workshop,” In Collaboration with Dr. James Kimmel and Miles Phillips. A collaborative project of Texas A&M University and the Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism, Southwest Texas State University. La Copita Ranch, Alice Texas. September 4-5, 2002.

“Demonstration of the South West Country Web site.” Assistant moderator, Planning Meeting of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership, Eldorado, Texas. August 17, 2002.

“Interpretive Planning Workshop,” Assisted Dr. James Kimmel. Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism. Southwest Texas State University. Eldorado, Texas. February 21, 2002.

“Demonstration of the Tourism Market Match Information System.” Texas Nature Tourism Council Meeting of Travel Summit 2001 of the Texas Travel Industry Association. Austin, Texas. Sept. 8, 2001.

“Demonstration of a Rural Tourism Market Information System and potential of GIS in rural tourism development.” Assistant moderator, Planning Retreat of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership, Sonora, Texas. July 13, 2001.

“Advanced Demonstration of a Rural Tourism Market Information System.” Assistant moderator, Planning Retreat of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership, Sonora, Texas. August 6, 2001.

“Nature Tourism and Economic Development” Assistant moderator, presented to the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, Bandera, Texas. March 2000.

Planning Charrette for the Texas Rivers Center at San Marcos Springs. Assistant moderator, Southwest Texas State University & Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, San Marcos, Texas. April, 1998.

“Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment” Poster Presentation: Regional Lake Management Conference, Des Moines, Iowa. A. Skadberg. June 11-12, 1991.

“An Assessment of the Impact of Siltation on Recreation Use of Lake Red Rock Reservoir” Poster Presentation: International Association for Impact Assessment, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. J. P. Colletti, R. Robertson, A. Skadberg.. June 7–11, 1991.

“An Agroforestry System Utilizing Municipal Sludge as Fertilizer Producing Biomass for Energy” Poster Presentation: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ames, Iowa. J.C. Colletti, R.C. Schultz, M.J. Thompson, C. W. Mize, D.R. Buxton, I.C. Anderson, W.W. Simpkins, R.B. Hall, R. Gonzalez, A. Skadberg, J.W. Mattila, and R. Scharf. February 18-19, 1992.

Professional Needs Analysis Conference – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Invited Participant: Austin, Texas. June 21-22, 1999.

Web Sites and Online Resources Developed

Texas INFRONT (Information Network of Farm, Ranch, Outdoor-Recreation and Nature Tourism). In collaboration with Dr. Yongxia Skadberg. Texas Cooperative Extension, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University. http://survey.tamu.edu/texasinfront

Tourism Market Match. In collaboration with Dr. Yongxia Skadberg. Texas Cooperative Extension, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University. http://survey.tamu.edu/tourismmarketmatch

Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism. Department of Geography, Southwest Texas State University. http://www.geo.swt.edu/nht/. 1997 to present.

Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://rptsweb.tamu.edu/tce/. 2001 to present.

Texas Festivals, Fairs and Events Institute. Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://rptsweb.tamu.edu/tce/eventinstitute/index.htm. 2001 to present.

Nature Tourism Information. Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://naturetourism.tamu.edu. 2001 to present.

Tourism & Recreation Resource Center. Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://trrc.tamu.edu/. 2001 to present.

On-line survey to Evaluate the Texas Hospitality Program, Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. March 2002. http://rptsweb.tamu.edu/hospitality/

On-line 2001 Texas Local Hotel Tax Expenditure Questionnaire. Texas Economic Development, Tourism Division. http://rptsweb.tamu.edu/trrc/hoteltaxsurveycity
April 2002.

On-line 2002 Texas Local Hotel Tax Expenditure Questionnaire. Texas Economic Development, Tourism Division. http://rptsweb.tamu.edu/trrc/hoteltaxsurveycity
April 2003.

Courses Taught

International Business English. 2010, Fall Semester. Faculty of Education. Universidad de Tolima. Ibague, Colombia, S.A.

Advanced Conversation, English. 2010, Fall Semester. Faculty of Education. Universidad de Tolima. Ibague, Colombia, S.A.

English 5th Semester. 2010, Fall Semester. Faculty of Education. Universidad de Tolima. Ibague, Colombia, S.A.

Conversation Club. 2010, Fall Semester. Oxford Centre, Ibague. Oxford University.

IELTS preparation. 2010, Fall Semester. Oxford Centre, Ibague. Oxford University.

Nature Tourism and Technology (online). 2003, Spring Semester. First on-line course developed and taught in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas

Professional and Community Appointments and Service

International Community Tourism Institute - Patron. December 2010 to present

Texas State Agency Tourism Council. Representing Texas A&M University System. November, 2001 to Oct 2004.

National Extension Tourism Design Team. Member October, 2001 to 2004.

National Extension Tourism Conference Planning Committee, Keynote Speakers Subcommittee, April 2002.

RuralTourism.net. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Tourism Education Design Team developing a national Web site to address the needs of rural areas by providing information and resources to tourism practitioners. October, 2001 to Oct. 2004.

Western State Extension Working Group for development of a “Nature Tourism Development Toolbox”. Project Coordinator Dave Sharp, Montana State University. April 2002.

Nature Tourism Response Team. Texas A&M University, Texas Cooperative Extension, 1998 – 2003.

Graduate Student Representative on Committee for Presidential Awards for Scholarly and Creative Excellence, Southwest Texas State University. Spring, 1998.

Graduate Student Senate Representative for the Department of Forestry, Iowa State University. 1991 and 1992.

Student Representative. Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. Iowa State University. Fall 1988.

Student Representative. University Recreation Committee. Iowa State University. Fall 1988.

Leisure Studies Association, Iowa State University. Student Representative at faculty meetings Fall 1987 to Winter 1988.

Student Coordinator of Job Mart, Iowa State University. February 1988.

Assistant Instructor Ames Wellness Workshop. Madrid, Iowa June 1988.

Program Leader, Camp Jubilee, Madrid, Iowa. June 1988.

Coordinator of Project CULL (Clean Up Lake Laverne) Iowa State University, April 1988 and 1989.


Honors

Gamma Sigma Delta, The Honor Society of Agriculture, 1992

Xi Sigma Pi, National Forestry Honor Society, 1991.

Nominated for Academically Outstanding Graduate Student for Department of Forestry, Iowa State University. Spring 1992.

Professional Training

Certified Interpretive Training Workshop. National Association for Interpretation. Ft. Wayne, Indiana. February 20-25, 2002.

Total Resource Management Workshop: an interactive workshop of strategic planning in natural resources. In cooperation with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. July 17 & 18, Aug. 8-9, 2001.

Faculty Orientation Workshop, Texas Cooperative Extension. College Station, Texas. October 16-19, 2001.

E-Commerce: Impacting the way we do business. Southern Rural Development Center, Farm Foundation, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Nashville, Tennessee. October 1-2, 2001.

Writing Winning Grant Proposals. Seminar Presented by Granting Possibilities. For Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Nov. 1, 1993.

Emergency Medical Technician. Austin Community College. Austin, Texas. August 1993.

National Cave Management Symposium. Texas Cave Management Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. October 3-7, 1989.

Andrew Skadberg's CV - Spanish

Andrew Neil Skadberg PhD.
Curriculum Vitae


Información de Contacto
300.532.0352 Móvil
anskadberg@gmail.com

Educación

Ph.D. en Geografía Ambiental
Southwest Texas State University.

Tema de Disertación:
Turismo Natural en el Ciberespacio: Un Examen de su Geografía y Características en la Red.
Título Original en Inglés: “Nature Tourism in Cyberspace: An Examination of Its Geography and Character in the Network”.
Director: James R. Kimmel, Ph.D.
San Marcos, Texas 2002.

Magister en Forestal
Énfasis en Economía y Concentración del Mercado
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Tema de Disertación:
Estudio socioeconómico de un sistema agroforestal alley-cropping usando fertilizantes bio–sólidos municipales.

Título Original en Inglés: “A Socio-Economic Analysis of an Alley-Cropping Agroforestry System Utilising Municipal Biosolids as a Fertilizer”

Director: Joe P. Colletti, Ph.D.
Ames, Iowa 1992.

B.A. en Recreación y Turismo (B.A. in Leisure Studies)
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Ames, Iowa 1989


Áreas de Interés Investigativo y Profesional

• Examen del papel de la tecnología en programas de extensión. Análisis del impacto en el crecimiento socio económico y cultural de las comunidades rurales con acceso a tecnologías de la información en la creación, comercialización y transferencia del conocimiento tecnológico de las universidades y de las instituciones públicas.
• Construcción de mercados turísticos sostenibles ambiental y económicamente. Relación del uso de tecnologías con la creación y mercadeo de proyectos turísticos, y la protección de los recursos naturales en el desarrollo del turismo natural.
• Análisis de la formación y evolución de las comunidades con acceso a internet y la construcción y desarrollo de actores sociales en la creación de proyectos de producción agro industrial.
• Desarrollo de recursos educativos basados en internet para beneficio y asesoría de las comunidades rurales interesadas en el desarrollo de negocios de turismo natural.
• Desarrollo de sistemas de información turística centralizados para facilitar el trabajo y la toma de decisiones en las comunidades rurales que emprenden negocios turísticos.

Experiencia Profesional

Texas A&M University.
Vicerrector de Investigaciones
Tiempo: Noviembre de 2006 a Febrero de 2008.
Cargo: Científico Asistente de Investigación.

AdventGX Corporation.
Tiempo: Noviembre de 2004 a Noviembre de 2006.
Cargos: Co-Fundador, Chief Knowledge Officer

Texas A&M University.
Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
Tiempo: Diciembre de 2002 a Noviembre de 2004.
Cargo: Profesor Asistente Experto en Programas de Extensión.

Texas A&M University.
Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism
Tiempo: Años 2001 a 2002.
Cargo: Asociado de Programas de Extensión.

Southwest Texas State University.
Department of Geography
Tiempo: Años 1997 a 2001.
Cargo: Asistente de Investigación

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Tiempo: Años 1993 a 1997
Cargo: Director Asistente de Ventas

Iowa State University
Departamento de Forestal
Tiempo: Años 1990 a 1992.
Cargo: Asistente de Investigación

Concesiones, Contratos y Proyectos de Investigacion:

• Conservación de Humedales. Turismo Basado en la Naturaleza y Desarrollo Económico Rural. Tema del Coloquio en el Marco de la Conferencia China – Estados Unidos. Organizado y Patrocinado por la Universidad de Texas A&M y por la Universidad de Pekín en China.
Título del proyecto:
Wetland conservation, nature based tourism and rural economic development.
Director: Andrew N. Skadberg
Participantes: Jianbang Gan, Yongxia Skadberg, Tiger Wood y Rick Giardino.
Total: $17.625
Fecha: Noviembre 14 a 17, 2005

• Kioscos de Información Turística en Siete Áreas de Descanso de Texas. Versión del Departamento de Transporte de Texas.
Título del Proyecto:
Demonstration Version of TxDOT Travel Information Kiosks (TexBox) for Seven Safety Rest Areas.
Director: Andrew N. Skadberg
Participantes: Yongxia Skadberg
Total: $44.344
Fecha: Febrero de 2003.

• Observatorio Turístico del Parque Nacional Natural Big Bend. Estudio de Mercadeo y Recolección de Información Turística. Contrato de Investigación para el Consejo Turístico del Big Bend.
Título del Proyecto:
Visit Big Bend Visitor Information Gathering and Marketing Study.
Investigador Principal: Scott Shafer
Co-Investigadores: Andrew Skadberg y Yongxia Skadberg.
Total: $31.767
Fecha: Enero del 2003.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Georgia. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Georgia.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2003.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Nevada. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto
: Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Nevada.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2003.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Washington. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Washington.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2003.

• Desarrollo del Sistema de Información de Granjas, Rachos y Sitios Rurales dedicados al turismo natural en el estado de Texas.
Título del Proyecto:
Development of Texas INFRONT (Information Network of Farm, Ranch, Outdoor-Recreation and Nature Tourism)
Co-investigadores: Andrew Skadberg y Yongxia Skadberg
Total: $8.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Desarrollo de una Herramienta Electrónica. Base de Información en línea para evaluar los mercados turísticos de las comunidades rurales del Estado de Texas.
Título del Proyecto:
Development of An Online, Database Driven Market Evaluation Tool (Tourism Market Match) For Rural Texas Communities & Landowners
Co-Autores: Andrew Skadberg y Yongxia Skadberg
Total: $7.400
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Evaluación del Turismo Natural. Manuales Secuenciados y Video Taller de Implementacion y Entrenamiento para Propietarios de Tierras.
Título del Proyecto:
Nature Tourism Evaluation Workshop Series & Video: Landowner Nature Tourism Handbook Implementation & Training
Co-Autores: Andrew N. Skadberg y Miles Phillips.
Total: $8.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Desarrollo de una Herramienta de Asesoría en Mercadeo para el Manejo de Destinos en Turismo. Concesión Otorgada por la Asociación de Investigadores en Viajes y Turismo.
Título del Proyecto:
Development of an Online Tourism Market Assessment Tool for Destination Managers.
Co-investigadores: Andrew N.Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $2.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Arizona. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Arizona.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Connecticut. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Connecticut.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Louisiana. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Poyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Louisiana.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Missouri. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Missouri.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2002.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación y Análisis de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Arkansas. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Arkansas
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Colorado. Un Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Colorado
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Delaware. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Delaware
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Illinois. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Illinois
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Maryland. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Maryland.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de New Mexico. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of New Mexico.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Pennsylvania. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Pennsylvania.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Texas. Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Texas.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Observatorio Turístico: Evaluación Continua de la Página Web de Turismo del Estado de Wyoming Proyecto a Cinco Años.
Título del Proyecto:
Continual Evaluation of Tourism Website, State of Wyoming.
Co– Investigadores: Andrew Neil Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $20.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Desarrollo de una Herramienta Online para el seguimiento del Mercadeo de Turismo Natural para los dueños de tierras en Texas.
Título del Proyecto:
Development of an Online Nature Tourism Market Determination Tool for Texas Landowners.
Autores: Andrew Skadberg y James Petrick
Total: $ 6.000
Fecha: Año 2001.

• Plan de Desarrollo del Turismo de Tradición Histórica de Texas, avalado por la Comisión de Historia de Texas. Este proyecto recibió el premio “United States Presidential Award” en 2006.
Título del Proyecto:
Texas Historical Commission. To plan a heritage tourism program (Texas Heritage Trail Program) for the State of Texas.
Investigador Principal: James Kimmel
Co-investigador Andrew N. Skadberg.
Total: $15.000
Fecha: Año 1998.

Publicaciones
Skadberg Y., Skadberg, A., & Kimmel, J. 2005. Flow Experience and Its Impact on the Effectiveness of a Tourism Website. Information Technology and Tourism, Vol. 7, Nos. 3/4.
Skadberg, A., & Skadberg, Y. 2002. Developing online resources to address the needs of landowners and communities interested in nature tourism as an economic diversification strategy. Journal of Extension [On-line].

Jamal, T., Skadberg Y., & Skadberg, A. 2002. Re-engineering ecotourism: sustaining rural nature and the ‘family farm’ with IT-based tools. Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration (Special Issue on Sustainable Places).

Jamal, T., Skadberg, A. & Williams, K. 2002. The agricultural ethic, information technology and nature tourism: intermediaries of sustainability in Calhoun County, Texas. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.

Larsen, R., Stephenson, R., & Skadberg, A., 2000. Using a geographic information system to identify existing and potential future impacts on the Edwards Aquifer – from closed municipal solid waste landfills in the state of Texas. Papers and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences. Vol. 23. 2000.

Kimmel, J., Stephenson, R., & Skadberg, A., 2000. Tourism interpretation: the need for geographic concepts and themes. Papers and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences. Vol. 23. 2000.

Skadberg, A., James, J., Phillips, M.D., Kimmel, J., & Watt., C. 2004. Nature and heritage tourism: a guidebook for evaluating enterprise opportunities. Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University.

Skadberg, A., Colletti, J.P., Robertson, R., Mize, C., Regula, J., Gan, J., Premachandra, W., LufumpaC., & Twarok., C. 1991. Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment. Proceedings from the Regional Lake Management Conference. North American Lake Management Society. Des Moines, Iowa. June 10-12, 1991.

Colletti, J., Mize, C., Schultz, D., Rule, L., Skadberg, A., Hall, A., & Wray, A. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Ames Forester 78:24-30.

Schultz, R., Colletti, J.P., Mize, C.W., Skadberg, A.N., Christian, M.F., Simpkins, W., Thompson M., & Menzel, B. 1991. Sustainable tree-shrub-grass buffer strips along midwestern waterways. Proceedings Of The Second Conference On Agroforestry In North America. Springfield, Missouri August 18-21, 1991 Edited By H. E. 'Gene' Garrett, The School of Natural Resources University of Missouri Columbia, MO.

Colletti, J.P. Mize, W., Schultz, R.C., Skadberg, A., Mattila, J., Hall, R., Rule, L., Wray, P., Thompson, M., Anderson I., Buxton, D. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Proceedings Of The Second Conference On Agroforestry In North America. Edited By H. E. 'Gene' Garrett, The School of Natural Resources University of Missouri Columbia, MO.

Colletti, J.P. Rule, L., Skadberg, A., Schultz, D., Mize, C., Hall, R.B., & Wray, P.H. 1991. Agroforestry systems for the Midwest. Ames Forester 78: 10-13.

Colletti, J., Mize, C., Schultz, D., Rule, L., Skadberg, A., Hall, R., & Wray, P. 1991. Land application of sludge to forest and herbaceous energy crops. Ames Forester 78: 24-30.

Colletti, J., Mize, C., Schultz, R., Faltonson, R., Skadberg, A., Mattila, J., Thompson, M., Scharf, R., Anderson, L., Accola, C., Buxton, D., & Brown, R. 1991. An Alleycropping Biofuels System: Operation and Economics Opportunities for Agroforestry in the Temperate Zone Worldwide. Proceedings of the Third North American Agroforestry Conference. J. P. Colletti and R. C. Schultz, Editors M. R. Saunders, Managing Editor

Capítulo de Libro

Jamal, Tazim, Skadberg, A. and K. Williams. 2002. The State of Nature Tourism in Texas: Sustaining the Rural Agricultural Family Enterprise. En “Ecotourism: Management and Assessment”, Dimitrios Diamantis and Susan Geldenhuys (eds.).

Reportes Técnicos

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. & Skadberg, A. 2001. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Fourth Quarter 2001. Report for Texas Economic Development, Market Texas Tourism. Enero 31, 2002.

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. y Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: First Quarter 2002. Report for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming. Abril 15, 2002.

Petrick, J.F., Choi, H. y Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Second Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming. Julio 15, 2002.

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. y Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Third Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming. Octubre 15, 2002.

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. y Skadberg, A. 2002. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: Fourth Quarter 2002. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming. Enero 15, 2003.

Petrick, J.F., Hayes, H. y Skadberg, A. 2003. Website Effectiveness Evaluation: First Quarter 2003. Report for for the State Tourism Directors in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas Virginia and Wyoming. Abril 15, 2003.

Closed Landfill Inventory Project Team. “Closed Landfill Inventory: Progress report phase II.” Prepared for South Texas Development Council, Laredo, Texas. Febrero 2, 2001.

Interdisciplinary Research Team for Iowa State University. “Winnebago Forest and Agriculture Alternatives Feasibility Study: Final Report.” Submitted to The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Agency—Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. Mayo 31, 1992.

Interdisciplinary Research Team for Iowa State University. “Winnebago Forest and Agriculture Alternatives Feasibility Study: Resource Assessment Report.” Submitted to The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Agency—Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. Agosto 22, 1991

Skadberg, A.1990. Historical Review of Lake Red Rock. Appendix of the Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment Survey. A cooperative study by Iowa State University, the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Skadberg, A.1990. Analysis of Question #34: An open ended question from the on-site user survey. The Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment Survey. A cooperative study by Iowa State University, the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Army Corps of Engineers. 1990.

Conferencias y Participación en Eventos

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Curso de Desarrollo Económico Básico. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Texas A&M University. Austin, Texas. Octubre 26, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Iowa”. Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Des Moines, Iowa. Abril 26, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Missouri”. Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Osage Beach, Missouri. Mayo 25, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – North/South Dakota”, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Sioux Falls, SD – Agosto 9, 2006.

“Tourism Builds Communities – Minnesota”. Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Annual Conferences. Minneapolis, MN – Noviembre 2, 2006.

Tourism Potential for Washington County, Texas - Keynote Address, Tourism Week Celebration, Brenham, Texas.

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Basic Economic Development Course. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Servicio de Extensión de la Universidad de Texas A&M. Texas A&M University. Frisco, Texas. Abril. 20, 2006.

“Capturing Clicks Best of NAFDMA Web Sites & what makes a good Web site? - Andrew Skadberg & Yongxia Skadberg, North American Farmers Direct Martketing Association. Asociación Norteamericana de Granjas de Mercadeo Directo. Coferencia Annual. Austin, Texas. Enero 13, 2006.

“On the Ecotourism Trail – Stepping Back to See the Big Picture: Successful Community Tourism Development”. – North American Farmers Direct Martketing Association. Asociación Norteamericana de Granjas de Mercadeo Directo. Annual Conference, Austin, Texas. Enero 13, 2006

“A New Era of Rural Economic Development: the Case of Van Horn, Texas”. China – U.S. Conference. Organized by Texas A&M University and hosted by Peking University, Beijing, China. Nov. 14-17, 2005

“Tourism for Economic Development”. Basic Economic Development Course. Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). Servicio de Extensión de la Universidad de Texas A&M. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas. Nov. 8, 2005.

“Hot-spot installation and implications of wireless technologies for rural economic development”. Un-wired Conference, University of Georgia. Servicio de Extensión. Tifton, Georgia Nov.1-2, 2005.

“Successful Community Tourism Develoment”. Iowa Tourism Conference, Iowa Department of Economic Development. Council Bluffs, Iowa, Octubre 24, 2005.

“AdventGX” Presentation to Parral Consortium. Texas A&M Research Park, College Station, Texas. Junio 21, 2005.

“Texas Education Vacation”. Bryan/College Station Convention and Visitors Bureau Board Retreat. Bryan, Texas. Marzo 24, 2005.

“Texas Education Vacation – Focus Group. Oakwood Intermediate, College Station ISD, College Station, Texas. Marzo 10, 2005.

“Travel and Education: a Bright Future for Texas”. Texas Travel Industry Association, Unity Dinner. Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas. Febrero 14, 2005.

“The South West Texas Tourism Partnership: creating a destination and fostering a sustainable tourism partnership”. (Presented twice) National Extension Tourism Conference. Traverse City, Michigan. Septiembre 16-20, 2002.

“What others are doing elsewhere and why it’s important.” Trans-Pecos Landowners’ Nature Tourism Opportunities Forum. Iraan, Texas. Marzo 21, 2002.

“Nature Tourism in Texas: Challenges, Efforts and Opportunities.” UT-SWT grad student colloquium exchange. Austin, Texas . Abril 14, 2000.

“State of Nature Tourism in Texas: Challenges, Efforts and Opportunities.” Southwestern Division, Association of American Geographers Annual Conference. The Southwest Texas State University. San Marcos, Texas. Octubre 19–23, 1999.

“Nature Tourism in Texas…2000 and Beyond.” Member Panel Discussion. Texas Travel Summit, Texas Travel Industry Association. Galveston, Texas. Septiembre 26-29, 1999.

“The Opportunities Offered for Nature and Heritage Tourism Development.” Presentación ante la Cámara de Comercio de Canyon Lake. Febrero 25, 1998.
Otras Presentaciones y Talleres Desarrollados

“Successful Tourism Development” as part of the Basic Economic Development Course, Texas Engineering Extension, Texas A&M University System. College Station, Texas. Noviembre 8, 2005.

“Utilizing Online Resources Available at the Texas Nature Tourism Information Center” parte del Nuts and Bolts of Starting a Nature Tourism Business. Palacios, Texas. Agosto 21, 2003.

“Interpretive Guide Training Workshop.” En colaboración con Dr. James Kimmel and Miles Phillips. A collaborative project of Texas A&M University and the Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism, Southwest Texas State University. La Copita Ranch, Alice Texas. Septiembre 4-5, 2002.

“Demonstration of the South West Country Web site.” Moderador asistente. Planning Meeting of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership. El Dorado, Texas. Agosto 17, 2002.

“Interpretive Planning Workshop,” Assisted Dr. James Kimmel. Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism. Southwest Texas State University. El Dorado, Texas. Febrero 21, 2002.

“Demonstration of the Tourism Market Match Information System.” Texas Nature Tourism Council Meeting of Travel Summit 2001 of the Texas Travel Industry Association. Austin, Texas. Septiembre 8, 2001.

“Demonstration of a Rural Tourism Market Information System and potential of GIS in rural tourism development.” Assistant moderator, Planning Retreat of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership, Sonora, Texas. Julio 13, 2001.

“Advanced Demonstration of a Rural Tourism Market Information System.” Moderador Asistente. Planning Retreat of the Southwest Texas Tourism Partnership, Sonora, Texas. Agosto 6, 2001.

“Nature Tourism and Economic Development” Assistant moderator, presented to the Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, Bandera, Texas. Marzo, 2000.

Planning Charrette for the Texas Rivers Center at San Marcos Springs. Assistant moderator, Southwest Texas State University & Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, San Marcos, Texas. Abril, 1998.

“Lake Red Rock Recreation Assessment” Poster Presentation: Regional Lake Management Conference, Des Moines, Iowa. A. Skadberg. Junio 11-12, 1991.

“An Assessment of the Impact of Siltation on Recreation Use of Lake Red Rock Reservoir” Poster Presentation: International Association for Impact Assessment, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. J. P. Colletti, R. Robertson, A. Skadberg. Junio 7–11, 1991.

“An Agroforestry System Utilizing Municipal Sludge as Fertilizer Producing Biomass for Energy” Poster Presentation: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Ames, Iowa. J.C. Colletti, R.C. Schultz, M.J. Thompson, C. W. Mize, D.R. Buxton, I.C. Anderson, W.W. Simpkins, R.B. Hall, R. Gonzalez, A. Skadberg, J.W. Mattila, and R. Scharf. Febrero 18-19, 1992.

Professional Needs Analysis Conference – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Invited Participant: Austin, Texas. Junio 21-22, 1999.

Sitios Web Sites y Recursos Online Desarrollados

Texas INFRONT (Information Network of Farm, Ranch, Outdoor-Recreation and Nature Tourism). En colaboración con Yongxia Skadberg. Texas Cooperative Extension, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University. http://survey.tamu.edu/texasinfront

Tourism Market Match. En colaboración con Dr. Yongxia Skadberg. Texas Cooperative Extension, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University. http://survey.tamu.edu/tourismmarketmatch

On-line 2002 Texas Local Hotel Tax Expenditure Questionnaire. Texas Economic Development, Tourism Division. Abril 2003.

On-line survey to Evaluate the Texas Hospitality Program, Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. Marzo 2002.

On-line 2001 Texas Local Hotel Tax Expenditure Questionnaire. Texas Economic Development, Tourism Division. Abril 2002.

Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Desde 2001 a 2004.

Texas Festivals, Fairs and Events Institute. Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Desde 2001 a 2004.

Nature Tourism Information. Texas Cooperative Extension in the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://naturetourism.tamu.edu. 2001 hasta la fecha.

Tourism & Recreation Resource Center. Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. http://trrc.tamu.edu/. 2001..

RuralTourism.net. Pagina web desarrollada por representantes del Departamento Nacional de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos, del Departamento de Transporte, y del Equipo Nacional de Programas de Extensión en Turismo, entre otros. Esta página se diseña con el objetivo no sólo de estudiar las necesidades del sector rural, sino de proveer información y recursos a quienes incursionan en negocios de turismo rural. Octubre de 2001 hasta la fecha.

Center for Nature and Heritage Tourism. Department of Geography, Southwest Texas State University. http://www.geo.swt.edu/nht/. 1997 hasta la fecha.

Cursos Dictados

Turismo Natural y Tecnología. (Nature Tourism and Technology) Primer curso on-line desarrollado e impartido en el Departamento de Ciencias de la Recreación y el Turismo de la Universidad de Texas A&M. Semestre A del 2003.
Pertenencia y Representación en Organizaciones y Comunidades.

Concejo de la Agencia de Turismo del Estado de Texas. (Texas State Agency Tourism Council). Representante de la Universidad de Texas A&M desde Noviembre , 2001 hasta 2004.

Equipo Nacional de Programas de Extensión en Turismo. (National Extension Tourism Design Team). Miembro desde Octubre del 2001 hasta el año 2004.

Miembro del Comité Organizador del la Conferencia Nacional en Programas de Extensión en Turismo. (National Extension Tourism Conference Planning Committee). Abril, 2002.

Representante del Equipo Nacional de Programas de Extensión en Turismo para el desarrollo de una pagina web destinada al análisis de necesidades del sector rural, y a la oferta de información y recursos para la puesta en marcha de negocios de turismo rural. Página web: RuralTourism.net

Co partícipe del proyecto Caja de Herramientas para el Desarrollo del Turismo Natural. (“Nature Tourism Development Toolbox”) Grupo de trabajo del Oeste Américano para programas de extensión. Montana State University. Abril de 2002.

Nature Tourism Response Team. Texas A&M University, Texas Cooperative Extension, 1998 – 2003.
Representante de los estudiantes de postgrado ante el comité de premios, becas de excelencia y creatividad de la Southwest Texas State University. Semestre A de 1998.

Representante de los Estudiantes de Postgrado ante el Departamento de Forestal. Iowa State University. 1991 y 1992.

Representante estudiantil ante el comité “Substance Abuse Advisory Comitée”. Iowa State University. Semestre B 1988.

Representante de los estudiantes ante el comité universitario de recreación. Iowa State University. Semestre B 1988.

Miembro de la Asociación de Estudios en Recreación. Iowa State University. Representante Estudiantil ante la Facultad. Años 1987 y 1988.

Estudiante Coordinador de Job Mart, Iowa State University. Febrero 1988.

Instructor Asistente: Ames Wellness Workshop. Madrid, Iowa Junio 1988.

Program Leader, Camp Jubilee, Madrid, Iowa. Junio 1988.

Coordinador del proyecto CULL (Clean Up Lake Laverne) Iowa State University, Abril 1988 a 1989.

Honores

Gamma Sigma Delta, The Honor Society of Agriculture, 1992

Xi Sigma Pi, National Forestry Honor Society, 1991.

Nominado por el Departamento de Forestal de la Universidad del Iowa State para el reconocimiento de excelencia académica. Primavera de 1992.

Professional Training

Interpretación de Parques. Certified Interpretive Training Workshop. National Association for Interpretation. Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Febrero 20-25, 2002.

Total Resource Management Workshop: an interactive workshop of strategic planning in natural resources. Cooperación entre el Servicio de Extensión del Estado de Texas y el Departamento de Parques de Texas. Julio 17 & 18 y Agosto 8-9, 2001.

Faculty Orientation Workshop, Texas Cooperative Extension. College Station, Texas. Octubre 16-19, 2001.

Comercio Electrónico. E-Commerce: Impacting the way we do business. Southern Rural Development Center, Farm Foundation, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Nashville, Tennessee. Octubre 1-2, 2001.

Writing Winning Grant Proposals. Seminar Presented by Granting Possibilities. For Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Noviembre 1, 1993.

Técnico en Manejo de Emergencias. (Emergency Medical Technician). Austin Community College. Austin, Texas. Agosto, 1993.

National Cave Management Symposium. Texas Cave Management Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Octubre 3-7, 1989.

Moving from "Socializing" to "Collaborating - the next Internet

Chapter 11—Creating a Collaborative Network-an Evolution of Social Networking Extracted from the book “Vision – We are Re-Creating the World: A resource manual – “tool-box” – for revitalization and empowerment through grass-roots efforts and environmental awareness.”

Click the following link to download chapters of "Vision - We Are Re-creating the World, a Resource Manual "tool-box" for Revitalization and Empowerment Through Grass-roots Strategies and Environmental Awareness.

There is a Vision - IAmSharing
I began to looking at the phenomena of networking on the Internet in about 1997 for my PhD research. In fact the primary theory that I used is called “actor-network theory”. Some of the findings of that research are included in this chapter. The main idea for I Am Sharing is to evolve the tools that we have been given to gain greater benefit for humanity. The following is the development of this idea for a “collaborative network.” The reason why I Am Sharing has been chosen is because the inspiration for this came just one month after my father passed. This may or may not be the actual name for the first network that we create, but for the purposes of this essay and discussion, this is the name I will use.

I have been slowly evolving ideas and discussion about the I Am Sharing network. It was first conceived in February 2007. I posted an Alpha website, which I have included a screenshot of. Then, sometime in 2008, I created a Ning network, - this network is not functioning as of April 2010, Ning decided to stop free services). The following are some of the ideas and concepts that have been written, including specific ideas and “mock-ups” of the various pages.

Introduction Posted on January 5, 2009 at the “alpha” version of I Am Sharing at Ning.

Dear Friends,
There is a vision for IAmSharing - it's a vision of Love and the One. To that end, we must bring people out of the confusion of thoughts, beliefs, fears, and dramas and traumas of the world. There is "Only Love" as John Prine sings in the beautiful song with the same title. The process is one of "Building Bridges". IAmSharing – The Conceptual Foundation of Creating a Collaborative Network The title of my PhD dissertation is "Nature Tourism in Cyberspace: an examination of its geography and character in the network".

My work, experiences and studies have given me insights into the potential of the Internet to help the "little guy" and the disenfranchised. I see there is an opportunity to, in a way, follow the Wal-Mart model to extend services to rural places, but instead of selling people a bunch of stuff, we can empower them to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true (education, personal empowerment, etc), and improve the quality of life in small communities and for the people we reach.



Figure C11-1: The sites "Coming Soon" notice was posted on May 29, 2007.

Our endeavor here is to capture a new audience that might have a desire to share a little bit more about themselves to a like minded community of people. The phenomena of online communities (Facebook, Myspace, Orkut, Yahoo personals, True.com, Ecademy, etc.) are expanding, but the meaning or substance that they portray, in my opinion, is shallow. David Peat, writing about Carl Jung’s theory of synchronicity suggests that “meaning” is the substance or the bridge between mind and matter – the glue of synchronicity. I believe “meaning” is truly at the core of what we are all searching for spiritually through our connections with people and the natural world. We accumulate “meaning” through the experiences of our lives. My vision is to create a community of people who want to share their stories (successes?) with the world, or at least the community of like minded people within the I Am Sharing community. At the same time, and maybe more importantly, show their connections to people who have helped them accomplish what they have – and to tell their stories too. That is what I want to do.

Click the following link to download chapters of "Vision - We Are Re-creating the World, a Resource Manual "tool-box" for Revitalization and Empowerment Through Grass-roots Strategies and Environmental Awareness.