NC's investment in conservation brings in the green
When it comes to reaping the economic benefits of conservation, North Carolina excels as a national leader. That’s why federal officials came to Asheville on July 15 to learn about how the state’s conservation efforts can be used to model national efforts.
Approximately 400 Conservation groups and their allies gathered with federal, state and local officials for a listening session, part of President Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative”, to receive input on how the federal government can be a helpful partner in conserving more land and reconnecting American families to nature.
That’s right – they came to listen.
The purpose of the 20-city listening session tour is to develop a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda. Federal officials are charged with compiling feedback from community and conservation leaders across the nation on conservation successes, challenges, and needs and how federal government can be a more effective partner in conservation and recreation efforts, and in “reconnecting people to the outdoors.” The information that they gather will be compiled into a report and presented to President Obama on November 15, 2010.
Conservation leaders discussed how smart conservation and recreation projects are benefiting our local economies. Did you know that active outdoor recreation generates more than $7.5 billion in revenues annually to North Carolina’s economy and supports 95,000 jobs?
Our state legislators recognize the economic return on investment in conservation and recreation. Even in a tough budget year, funding for our state’s four conservation trust funds was included in the budget. But times are still tough and next year will be tougher. Now more than ever, North Carolina needs the federal government as a reliable partner for conservation funding to fill gaps in state and local budgets.
The listening session also tapped into a passion for conservation in North Carolina. Tom Strickland, assistant Interior secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, was taken aback by that passion – he even wishes he could “bottle it up and spread it around the country.”
North Carolina is in a better position that most to put federal conservation dollars to good use. I hope they took good notes…
Click here for more information on the listening session and the “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.”
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.
Leave a Comment