Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** National parks contributed over $55 billion to U.S. economy in 2023
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Friday, September 6, 2024
Kings Canyon National Park is located in the southern Sierra Nevada, in California; Matthew Dillon/Flickr ([link removed])
The National Park Service reports that ([link removed]) visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 resulted in a record high $55.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported over 415,000 jobs.
Over 325.5 million people visited national parks in 2023, according to the 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report ([link removed]) . Parks in California generated the most revenue out of all 50 states, at $3.2 billion. Parks in Utah generated $1.9 billion in spending, the second-most in the West.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park once again generated the most revenue of any park, at $2.2 billion. Golden Gate National Park took second place with $1.5 billion. The Grand Canyon, Zion, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone national parks all brought in over $600 million. The National Park Service provides interactive maps and tools ([link removed]) to explore the data in the report.
“This report illustrates the significant economic benefits national parks provide to nearby communities and the U.S. economy, and the value of our work to safeguard these public lands in the wake of the climate crisis, upgrade visitor experiences and invest in park infrastructure and staff,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement ([link removed]) . ([link removed])
** Quick hits
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National parks generate millions in revenue across Western states
Fox 13 News Utah ([link removed]) | Daily Montanan ([link removed]) | NBC Montana ([link removed]) | ABC 10 News San Diego ([link removed])
Extremely rare California condor killed in Colorado. Wildlife officials offer reward for help finding poacher
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Methane leaks are a climate problem. These satellites could help find them
Grist ([link removed])
Governor Cox calls on federal government to help tame overcrowding at national parks in Utah, the West
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
The right to snowmobile over wildlife could soon be explicitly protected in Wyoming
WyoFile ([link removed])
Pollinator-friendly solar farms could help save nature
New York Times ([link removed])
California cities, counties may need to consider wildlife connectivity in development plans
Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho moving forward after 10 year environmental impact study
CBS 2 News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” I sympathize with a rancher that’s defending livestock from predators, absolutely... But that’s a far different issue than allowing the public to joyride on snowmobiles and torture wildlife legally on public lands, which is precisely what’s happening.”
—Jackson filmmaker Shane Moore, WyoFile ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@interior ([link removed])
Golden hour spreads charming light across the rugged peaks and jagged rocks at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico. Photo by Kevin Jagoe
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