National Parks Pay Off Big for WA State's Economy
- by Tom Bouchard from ESW member National Parks Conservation Association
Visitors to 10 of Washington's national parks sites generate more than $204.5 million annually for the state's economy. According to data collected by researchers at Michigan State University, national parks like Olympic, Mount Rainier, and San Juan National Historic Park supported more than 5,300 jobs and generated more than $87 million in wages, salaries, and payroll benefits. Some seven million annual park visitors bring impressive levels of tourism dollars to gateway community hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.
On average, our national parks receive only two-thirds of the funding they need for day-to-day operations. To learn more about protecting these valuable public treasures and ensuring funding for park staff and programs, visit these websites:
National Parks Conservation Association
www.npca.org
Funding Needs of Parks
www.americansfornationalparks.org
Of course, economic benefits are the frosting on the cake. National parks also protect our national heritage, making our national parks worthy investments all around.
