100-plus leaders stress value of conservation and recreation in letter to president: “Protected public lands are significant contributors to economic growth.”
WASHINGTON – In a letter to President Obama, leading economists and academics expressed the economic imperative of conserving federal public lands and stressed the long-term value these lands bring to both communities and individuals, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.
The letter, which was signed by more than 100 influential leaders from universities and institutions across the country, described the profound economic benefits derived uniquely from responsibly managed public lands in the American West, stating, “The West’s public lands contribute to our economic well being in a variety of ways, including resource extraction and recreation.”
“Sportsmen have always known that sound conservation practices produce tangible economic benefits,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. “Conservation funding and well managed public lands are critical to our hunting and fishing traditions.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a recent study commissioned by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that reports the tremendous positive impact outdoor pursuits have on the economy. “Active, outdoor recreation supports $289 billion in annual retail sales and services and supports more than 6.5 million jobs,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association. “Our nation’s network of federal-to-local parks, forests, rivers, lakes and trails are at the heart of this growing industry.”
“The West is home to some of the last best fisheries in the world, the majority of which flow through public lands,” said American Sportfishing Association President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Nationally, activities related to fishing support more than 1 million jobs and contribute almost $125 billion annually to the economy. If we want to improve our financial situation we should continue to invest in our open spaces.”
Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of conservation funding.
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.
Learn about the local and state level clubs and organizations that work with the TRCP to guarantee all Americans a place to hunt and fish. Learn More
