Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: Public lands, national parks, monuments generate billions of dollars and millions of jobs, according to a new Congressional analysis. 

July 21, 2017

Saying their size and number interfere with economic development, the Trump administration has ordered a review of dozens of national monuments. This analysis is predicted to recommend either shrinking or eliminating protected areas. 

 

NPCC and other groups helped grassroots advocates generate more than 2.5 million comments in opposition to the Trump review. Find the June 26 NPCC News on national monuments at the NPCC News Archive

In response, congressional Democrats developed a state-by-state fact sheet on the economic impact of public lands. This report quantifies the jobs and economic growth created by public lands in each U.S. state.

 

 

• Public lands draw millions of visitors who support jobs and boost revenues for local communities. In 2016, 331 million people visited national parks. These visitors spent an estimated $18.4 billion in nearby communities, supported 318,100 jobs, and added $34.9 billion to the national economy.

 

• Spending on national parks is a smart investment. Every tax dollar invested in National Parks Service yields a 1000% return for taxpayers.

 

• Public lands encourage outdoor recreation which boosts outdoor economies and public health. Consumers spend $887 billion annually on outdoor recreation, creating 7.6 million jobs.

 

• Protected lands increase local per capita income. In rural counties with 100,000 acres of protected public lands (compared to those with none), income per person is on average higher by $4,360.