THE SHOALS-Registration will open soon for Nature CORE, a new University of North Alabama program that teaches entrepreneurs how to start and manage outdoor adventure businesses.
With the growing popularity of adventure tourism and the abundance of regional recreational sites, local educators and outdoor enthusiasts recognized a need for supporting adventure business start-ups.
Nature CORE participants can earn a level-one certificate by attending six three-hour classes, UNA’s East Campus, Jan. 23-25, 2018. Topics are business planning, risk management, insurance, marketing, tourism, grant writing and the basics of outfitter operations. Instructors include professors from UNA’s College of Business as well as marketing, tourism, insurance and adventure services professionals. Cost is $75 per class or $65 per class if registering for all six. Students may attend individual classes but can only earn a certificate by attending all six.
If enough people are interested, Nature CORE also will offer level-two certification on specific areas of adventure services, such as kayaking, as well as Wilderness First Responder courses.
The program is a partnership of the UNA Continuing Education and Outreach, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and UNA Department of Health, Physical Education, and Education. Nature CORE is also supported by the Alabama Scenic River Trail.
For more information, contact Patrick Shremshock, UNA instructor in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, at pshremshock@una.edu, 256.765.4377 or 256.483.1175.
Media Release/Cathy Wood, media coordinator & grants administrator
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
