CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING CAMPGrOUND SUSTAINABILITY
Have you found an awesome campground on your travels that you think is worth promoting on this website. If so, have a go at measuring its sustainability using the following criteria.
How to measure the factors that contribute to sustainability
Sustainability is a work in progress that includes environmental, economic, social and cultural domains. The sustainability of a campground may be measured as a record of activities that contribute to these domains in provisioning resources, regulating elements,
supportive behaviours and sociocultural exchange. Any chosen campground may be assessed in cooperation with the owners. Best practice is to first explain to the campground owners what you would like to do and seek permission to undertake the assessment. Your approach needs to be friendly and informal. You could also mention that it is free publicity should the results get published on the
economad community website. At no time will any content about a campground be published without the express consent of the owners.
The criteria measure campground sustainability factors via subjective interpretation of the assessor. The findings are recorded as anecdotal notations against each domain and subcategory. The method used to obtain information is by assessor observation of the campground itself and interview of campground providers.
For an example of how to record findings against the criteria please refer to economads.weebly.com > About sustainability > Sustainable campgrounds > Recommended Sustainable Campgrounds (Read about Rivers-Edge Wilderness Campground, Lonnavale, Tasmania).
Your aim is to use the criteria to assess the campground. Not all campgrounds need to meet all criteria. Your objective is to record findings that provide a picture of the activities that support sustainability.
The criteria falls under 4 domains: provisioning resources; regulating elements; supportive behaviours; sociocultural exchange. Each domain has subcategories. Provisioning resources subcategories are food, energy, materials, environmental management, economic
contribution, water. Regulating elements subcategories are management of consumption, waste, flora and fauna, safety, pest and disease control. Supportive behaviours subcategories are reduce-reuse-recycle, ethical consumerism, education for sustainability. Sociocultural exchange subcategories are cultural, intellectual, spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences, social enhancement, scientific interest, legal requirements.
Each domain and subcategory has questions and considerations to guide you in your observations and interview. It is recommended that during your interview with campground owners you apply active listening skills combined with respect, empathy and a genuine
interest in their situation.
How to measure the factors that contribute to sustainability
Sustainability is a work in progress that includes environmental, economic, social and cultural domains. The sustainability of a campground may be measured as a record of activities that contribute to these domains in provisioning resources, regulating elements,
supportive behaviours and sociocultural exchange. Any chosen campground may be assessed in cooperation with the owners. Best practice is to first explain to the campground owners what you would like to do and seek permission to undertake the assessment. Your approach needs to be friendly and informal. You could also mention that it is free publicity should the results get published on the
economad community website. At no time will any content about a campground be published without the express consent of the owners.
The criteria measure campground sustainability factors via subjective interpretation of the assessor. The findings are recorded as anecdotal notations against each domain and subcategory. The method used to obtain information is by assessor observation of the campground itself and interview of campground providers.
For an example of how to record findings against the criteria please refer to economads.weebly.com > About sustainability > Sustainable campgrounds > Recommended Sustainable Campgrounds (Read about Rivers-Edge Wilderness Campground, Lonnavale, Tasmania).
Your aim is to use the criteria to assess the campground. Not all campgrounds need to meet all criteria. Your objective is to record findings that provide a picture of the activities that support sustainability.
The criteria falls under 4 domains: provisioning resources; regulating elements; supportive behaviours; sociocultural exchange. Each domain has subcategories. Provisioning resources subcategories are food, energy, materials, environmental management, economic
contribution, water. Regulating elements subcategories are management of consumption, waste, flora and fauna, safety, pest and disease control. Supportive behaviours subcategories are reduce-reuse-recycle, ethical consumerism, education for sustainability. Sociocultural exchange subcategories are cultural, intellectual, spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences, social enhancement, scientific interest, legal requirements.
Each domain and subcategory has questions and considerations to guide you in your observations and interview. It is recommended that during your interview with campground owners you apply active listening skills combined with respect, empathy and a genuine
interest in their situation.
CRITERIA 1 -
Provisioning resources: Key Question: What campground activities or other evidence contributes to providing sustainable resources to campers? Consider the subcategories of food, energy, materials, environmental management, economic contribution, water. Food: How is food provided for campers? Consider supply of food, opportunities for hunting, fishing or gathering, distance to nearest food outlet. Energy: What type of energy sources power the campground? Consider use of mains supply or alternate energy sources, and how sustainable usage is encouraged. Materials: What materials have been used in construction and where were they sourced? Consider recycled materials, local suppliers, ecoproducts. Water: How is water provided to campers? Consider water harvest and storage facilities, water saving strategies. Environmental management: What environmental management policies or procedures contribute to sustaining a viable campground ecosystem? Consider knowledge of and regard for surrounding environment, compliance with appropriate laws and regulations. Economic contribution: How does the campground contribute to the local economy? Consider local business utilised, reinvesting by owners, donations or sponsorships. |
CRITERIA 2 -
Regulating elements: Key Question: What campground activities or other evidence contributes to the regulation of basic elements? Consider subcategories of management of consumption, waste, flora and fauna, safety, pest and disease control. Management of consumption: How is the consumption of resources managed on site? Consider water, firewood, power, food, other consumables. Waste: How is waste dealt with? Consider grey water, sewerage, rubbish, compost, and reduction of waste output. Flora and fauna: How are native flora and fauna protected? How are campers informed about the presence of native flora and fauna? Consider domestic animal control, informational posters and displays, signs regulating human and animal interaction. Safety: What safety aspects have been attended to? Consider campers health and safety, safety instructions, safety signage and equipment. Pest and disease control: What pests and diseases are of concern and need to be controlled? Consider introduced species, weed control, soil erosion, cleanliness of physical amenities. |
CRITERIA 3 -
Supportive behaviours: Key question: What behaviours are evident in the promotion of sustainability? Consider subcategories of reduce-reuse-recycle, ethical consumerism, education for sustainability. Reduce-Reuse-Recycle: In what ways does the campground reduce, reuse and/or recycle consumables? Consider use of secondhand goods, applied portion control, resourcefulness. Ethical consumerism: What products and services are utilised with sustainability in mind? Consider use of ecoproducts and services, assertive non-consumption, reasoning behind specific purchases. Education for sustainability: Which principles of education for sustainability are known and acted upon? Consider willingness to understand what they are and how to do things more sustainably. |
CRITERIA 4 -
Sociocultural exchange: Key question: What campground activities or other evidence contributes to opportunities for social or cultural exchange? Consider subcategories of cultural, intellectual, spiritual inspiration, recreational experiences, social enhancement, scientific interest, legal requirements. Cultural, intellectual, spiritual inspiration: What cultural, intellectual or spiritual activities are encouraged at the campground? Consider campers reactions to campground layout and design, what activities are organised and for whom. Recreational experiences: What is available and encouraged as recreational activities? Consider options for children, special interest groups eg. birdwatching, what is linked to the appreciation of the natural environment. Social enhancement: What social activities are encouraged at the campground? Consider campers reactions to campground layout and design, what activities are organised and for whom. Scientific interest: Does the site have any specific scientific significance? Consider endangered species, scientific research projects conducted on site. Legal requirements: How has the campground complied with local, State and Federal laws and regulations? Consider public liability insurance, meeting local requirements for planning, building design and site placement, any other relevant legislation. |