The Crown of the Continent is a remarkable place. Spanning the 49th parallel and anchored by Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, it has been the home of Native Americans and First Nations for thousands of years. Today, the stunning scenery, vast wilderness areas, iconic wildlife, and diverse recreational opportunities attract visitors from throughout the world. These amenities support a ring a communities around the Crown. Working landscapes help knit together the natural and cultural fabric of this region.

The Roundtable is an ongoing forum to bring together people who care about this special place. It is based on the observation that the future of the Crown of the Continent is being shaped by over 100 government agencies, non-government organizations, and place-based partnerships. While these various initiatives operate somewhat independent of each other, the Roundtable provides a unique opportunity to connect people that share a common commitment to the region.

Through workshops, forums, policy dialogues, and conferences, the Roundtable provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore opportunities to work together -- to sustain the natural and cultural heritage of this remarkable landscape. Participation is based on self-interest. People participate for their own benefit and to develop their own work. The Roundtable therefore tends to have fluid membership; people move in and out of the activities of the Roundtable based on how much they personally benefit from participating. As people exchange ideas, learn together, and develop a common sense of purpose, they gradually improve their individual and collective capacity and commitment. It is this capacity and commitment that will sustain the natural and cultural heritage of the Crown.

The advantage of the Roundtable is that it is inclusive, informed, and adaptive. By better understanding the mix of local, regional and sub-regional efforts in the Crown, individuals and organizations will be better positioned to mobilize the civic will and political power to facilitate change. Coincidentally, they will also develop and test new forms of governance and economic self-determination... to think regionally and act at whatever spatial scale makes sense.

The Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council is an active member of the Roundtable and is proud to be involved in shaping the future of this one-of-a-kind region. This setting allows the Geotourism Council to help bridge the gap between conservation and business and clearly demonstrate that the two are instrictably linked to the long term health and prosperity of this special place.

The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent organizes and convenes an annual conference that is open to all interests, communities, and perspectives. The conference provides an opportunity to communicate (share information and lessons learned), connect (build and strengthen relationships), and catalyze action on topics of shared interest.

Article on the Roundtable from Distinctly Montana Magazine

Information on the 2011 Conference in Polson, Montana

Information on becoming a Friend of the Crown

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