As we become a more educated society and more appreciative of the often limited opportunities to view nature, the value of watching wildlife becomes more precious; as does the opportunity to enjoy the sanctuary aspects of the Parkway, both of which are good for the economy.
The Parkway accounts for over $350 million in spending in our region according to the 2006 Financial Needs Study (page vi)
Excerpt from the report on Wildlife Watching.
“Wildlife watching is one of the most popular types of outdoor recreation in the United States. Nearly a third of the U.S. population, 71 million people, enjoyed closely observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife in 2006. Wildlife watching around the home and on trips is an important and growing form of recreation. Eight percent more people participated in 2006 than in 2001.
“In addition to contributing significantly to people’s enjoyment of the outdoors, wildlife watching has a substantial impact on the nation’s and states’ economies. The $45.7 billion spent on wildlife equipment and trips in 2006 contributed substantially to federal and state tax revenues, jobs, earnings, and economic output.
“This report presents estimates of the national and state economic impacts of wildlife watching, which were derived using data from the 2006 Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation Survey (FHWAR). The following topics are addressed: (1) national participation in wildlife watching; (2) expenditures associated with participation in wildlife watching; (3) estimates of the total economic activity generated by these expenditures; (4) total employment and employment income associated with these expenditures; and (5) estimates of associated state and federal tax revenue. Two other reports used the 2006 FHWAR to address the national and state economic impacts of hunting and fishing.”
