Driving the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail

	Speaker:
	Harold L. Jerrell Extension Agent, Crop and Soil Science Virginia Cooperative Extension
	Description: Learning Objective: Perpetuating Our Heritage and Culture through Tourism Opportunities; Delivery Method: Powerpoint; Evaluation: One Sheet Handout; Often rural counties overlook their heritage and scenic beauty as potential tourism opportunities. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Lee County is a rural county that has depended upon the production of burley tobacco and coal mining as a "way of life" for several generations. Decreased tobacco quotas and coal reserves have forced many families to leave in search of employment. The county has experienced a "brain drain." The brightest and best students graduate from college and never return. To address this situation, key individuals, including young people, were asked to identify the positive aspects of the county. Economic revitalization through tourism was identified as having potential. The county is surrounded by tall mountains and ridges with rivers and streams flowing through the valleys. The mountains are ablaze with color in the fall. The Wilderness Trail, built by Daniel Boone, traverses the entire length of the county. Lee County was the gateway to the west as early settlers traveled the Wilderness Road on their way to Cumberland Gap. Area leaders met and formed the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association. By partnering with various states, federal and local organizations, more than $500,000.00 in grants has been received to develop and promote tourism opportunities. Local tourism efforts resulted in the establishment of the Wilderness Road State Park in Lee County. By developing the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail into a driving trail and partnering with existing state and federal parks, tourism is growing in Lee County. Tourism generated approximately $9 million to the county's economy in 2002 and is growing at the rate of 7% annually.