The vast economic benefits of State Parks are shown

The new report attached shows that “state parks contribute roughly one-third of all nature recreation in the United States, measured in hours of nature recreation per capita.” The author estimates that value nationally at $14 billion.  Add that to the $22 billion national economic impact estimates (MGM models) and we’re looking at $36 billion.  The […]

Find LWCF projects by State/County here.

Go to     http://waso-lwcf.ncrc.nps.gov/public/index.cfm and you can find all LWCF state and local projects by County and State.  Follow the instructions on the page.  Total federal grants for that project and for the history of the program for that county and state are listed.

Research: Neighborhood Parks and Open Space Access Encourages Activity in Children

Sometimes it takes academia a while to catch up with things we ‘know’ at a gut level. Case in point: a recent study published in the International Journal of Health Geographics, Tweeted along by childhood researcher and “play advocate” Tim Gill, shows that pre-school kids who live in greener neighborhoods are more likely to play […]

Western Bipartisan view: Public Lands Essential to Economy

New survey finds voters in key western states believe US does not have to choose between environment & economy; support protections for air, water,and parks COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The results from the 2012 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll find that western voters across the political spectrum – from […]

New Outdoor Recreation Research released !

The USFS has commissioned several studies of outdoor recreation trends.  These reports are available at the following sites.. Recent Outdoor Recreation Trends http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/nrrt/nsre/IRISRec/IRISRec23rpt.pdf Hispanic Americans and Outdoor Recreation http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/nrrt/nsre/IRISRec/IRISRec24rpt.pdf If you wish to see the other IRIS Reports, go to http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/nrrt/nsre/IrisReports.html t

Research shows growth in viewing and photographing nature as key outdoor recreation trend in past ten years

The USFS has released an assessment of the status of outdoor recreation in the past ten years.  This report outlines trends in outdoor recreation in the nation.  A very valuable research resource.  An excerpt reads.. While motorized activities showed growth up to about 2005, these activities, along with hunting and fishing, and backcountry activities, ended […]

Evidence keeps growing: Parks are needed to grow the economy!

Over 100 economists report that the aquisition and development of parks are needed to grow the nations economy.  See the report which was published in the New York Times on Monday, December 5, 2011. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/are-parks-a-boon-to-the-economy/

Economic Impact of Parks and Recreation

Economic Impact of State and Local Parks Summaries for 14 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connetticut, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennslyvania, Virginia and Wisconsin which have been submitted to NASORLO are either summarized below or can be found in the attachments.  In addition, economic data for an additional 20 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, North Carolina, Colorado, […]

Science Daily notes P&R facility access fights obesity

In an issue of Science Dailey newsletter,  a Oregon research project is presented that indicates, ” One way to help address the epidemic of obesity in the United States is improve access to pleasant hiking trails and an ambitious parks and recreation programs.. “ This study cites on example in West Virginia where a community with high obesity […]

America’s Great Outdoors ( AGO ) First Annual Report

The AGO has released it’s first annual report.  Go to http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/2011/10/12/americas-great-outdoors-progress-report-shows-conservation-recreation-gains-and-economic-benefits/ to read and download the report.