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CT Residents Benefit from Outdoor Activities

Local member Connecticut Forest and Park Association recently reported on its website that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released a Study conducted by UConn’s Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA) showing that outdoor activities on state lands have an economic benefit of more than $1 billion a year and 9,000 jobs. The study also documented that for every dollar the state spends on the state park system, it receives a return of $38 in economic activity. Considering EarthShare New England has a strong contingency of local members within Connecticut, this news is especially exciting.

“It is no secret that Connecticut has some of the most beautiful state parks and forests in the country that provide countless outdoor recreational activities to our residents and visitors,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty. “This study now demonstrates that our parks and forests also make a significant contribution to our state’s economy. With the support of Governor Malloy, the General Assembly, and all of our partners, DEEP works hard to maintain and improve our parks and forests for the enjoyment of all – and we now see from even a ‘bottom line’ perspective that it is time and money well spent.”

The study, entitled "The Economic Impact of State Parks, Forests and Natural Resources under the Management of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection," is an economic impact analysis CCEA developed of the state’s recreational activities including visits to state parks and forests, hunting, fishing, boating, and other sporting activities. Of the $1 billion spent on recreation, visitors to parks and forests spent $544 million in 2010 on general tourism activities in Connecticut such as lodging, meals, groceries, and other activities and goods during their stay.

In addition, sports persons holding licenses and permits issued by DEEP spent the following amounts:

  • Fishing accounted for $264 million in expendituresHunting accounted for $100 million in expendituresRecreational boating accounted for nearly $37 million in expenditures$26.2 million came from skiing and attending educational and other venues
  • The study also shows that the nearly 9,000 private sector jobs credited to the state parks system and associated recreational activities result in $343 million in personal income, estimated to grow to $595 million in current dollars in 2020. Of that $343 million, $253 million is considered disposable income, increasing to $471 million by 2020.

“This study puts real data behind something we’ve known for many years – the State Parks are both a bargain and a job creator for Connecticut,” said Eric Hammerling, Executive Director, Connecticut Forest & Park Association. “The resources that are invested in maintaining the Park System (and we’d like to see more) are returned many times over through enormous recreational, wildlife, educational, and economic benefits.”

To read the entire report click on this link.