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 Source-Noah Pylvainen
  
Conservation + Recreation: 
Tourism: Trail to Prosperity, An Adventure Beyond the End of the Road, and Restoring the Musconetcong

 

Glad to be Back!

 

We are glad to be back after the two weeks when our parks and programs were idled by the partial closure of the Federal government. The shutdown had an impact for many people and communities that depend on tourism, recreation, and hospitality in and near closed national parks. This month Conservation + Recreation looks at tourism -- stories, resources, and data, starting with the National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

 

 
Public Lands and Tourism: Making Strategic Connections
 
The president has become a strong advocate for strengthening tourism to fuel the U.S. economy. Early this year he unveiled the National Travel and Tourism Strategy (NTTS) which seeks to attract 100 million new tourists to the U.S. by 2021, who are expected to spend $250 billion, generating 3 million jobs in rural and urban places across America.
 
The NTTS calls for more public/private partnerships within the tourism community. In service to that, the federal tourism team showcased public lands at the U.S. Travel Association's IPW - America's premier international travel trade show where a majority of international bookings to the U.S. are decided. The goal was to raise awareness of the depth and breadth of authentic experiences available in our public lands and work more collaboratively across federal agencies. One key outcome of this collaboration was the joint promotion, with 30 gateway communities, of U.S. World Heritage sites to tour organizers.

The National Park Service (NPS) Office of Sustainable Tourism's (OST) strategic plan incorporates the NTTS goals as well as emphasizing increased engagement with gateway communities. By facilitating information exchange between the NPS and tourism communities and leveraging resources, the OST seeks to expand the communications capacity of parks and partners. For more information, contact Desmond Lee ([email protected]) or Dean Reeder ([email protected] ) in the NPS Office of Sustainable Tourism.
  
In the News

  

The Trail to Prosperity. Cincinnati.com explores how trails are no longer being viewed only for their recreational purpose, but have become important sources of economic and health benefits for communities.

Trails, such as the
Monon Trail, have brought "about $1 billion in residential, retail and restaurant development along a 1.2-mile stretch of the trail," said Cincinnati city councilman, Ron Carter. The NPS is currently working with a local environmental organization to create a master trails plan for the areas along the Ohio River. This plan will promote the importance of active living and help increase economic growth through tourism.
Source:Cincinnati.com

 

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Tale of Two Rivers. A unique division of the National Park Service is connecting residents to trails and waterways where they live, from Atlanta's Chattahoochee River to the Los Angeles River. This fall's National Parks magazine tells the story of these two rivers and the partnerships that have helped create community connections.  

 

  

 

Governor Leads Kansas River Float Trip. Governor Sam Brownback led an eight-mile float trip down the Kansas River to promote recreational tourism along this scenic prairie river. The Kansas River was designated as a National Water Trail by the U.S. Department of Interior in July 2012 and is just one of a dozen nationwide.

 
Findings, Publications, and Tools

 

Supporting Regional Economies. A brochure on the economic impact that National Heritage Areas (NHA) have on the national economy. NHAs contribute $12.9 billion annually to the American economy!  For more information read the full report.

Pennsylvania Recreational Water Impact Study. A study of the economic impact of tourism in Pennsylvania's recreational water trails.

 
Grants and Job Opportunities

 

National Trails Fund  (Due 12.13.2013) Does your nonprofit need funding to complete a trail project? The American Hiking Society is accepting applications for National Trails Fund grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to improve hiking access or hiker safety.  

Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (Due 11.15.13)

provides 1:1 matching funds to eligible coastal states and local governments to protect important coastal and estuarine areas. States nominate their best projects to a national, competitive selection process for funding in FY2014. Eligible applicants must submit proposals via Grants.gov.

 

River Network Seeks New President  Founded in 1988, River Network is a national organization whose mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters.

  
Trail of the Month

 

Kachemak Bay Water Trail - "Adventure Beyond the End of the Road" is our Trail of the Month!
Location Map � Tundra Technologies

 

The Kachemak Bay Water Trail,  a 125-mile route that extends from the Homer Spit to the City of Seldovia, provides a wealth of conservation and outdoor recreational opportunities.
  
The Kachemak Bay Water Trail Steering Committee is working to design, develop, and maintain a water trail with the focus on the exploration, understanding,
Kachemak Bay � Bill Scott
and stewardship of the natural 
treasure that is Kachemak Bay. The water trail encompasses communities throughout Kachemak Bay. Many organizations are helping create this trail, including: the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, Alaska State Parks, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Cities and Chambers of Commerce of Homer and Seldovia, Cook Inlet Keeper, Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, NOAA Kasitsna Bay Lab, Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society, HoWL, Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, and Alaska Trails. 

 

Through this vast partnership effort, the Kachemak Bay Water Trail will provide an opportunity for visitors to experience the diverse habitat, spectacular wildlife, and scenic beauty that Alaska has to offer. The Kachemak Bay Water Trail was also recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects as one of several Year of Public Service projects!

 

Dave Brann, Co-Chair KBWT Steering Committee

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information visit: http://www.kachemakbaywatertrail.org.

 
A Tip of the Hat to...  

 

Paul Kenney and the Musconetcong Watershed Association
 
Congratulations to Paul Kenney and the Musconetcong River Restoration Partnership in recognition for their work on removing the Finesville Dam on the Musconetcong.  The group received the Coastal America Partnership Award, which is the highest level conservation award granted by the Coastal America Program. It was awarded by NOAA  to all 11 members of the partnership, including Trout Unlimited, who were instrumental in removing the dam.  
Musconetcong River Restoration Partnership Awardees


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congressmen Scott Garrett (NJ-5) and Leonard Lance (NJ-7) expressed how important the Musconetcong River was to them as they were growing up, emphasizing how this partnership was an effective way to protect the river for today's children and future generations. 

 

The removal of the Finesville Dam, which was located just three miles upstream from the Delaware River, will aid the passage of river herring, shad, striped bass, and American eel to tributaries where they spawn and feed. The dam's removal will also improve water quality, decrease water temperature and sedimentation, and improve trout habitat.

 
Let's Work Together
 
The National Park Service works with partners and helps communities advance their stewardship, conservation, and outdoor recreation goals. Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs extend and expand the benefits of the National Park Service throughout the nation to connect all Americans to their parks, trails, rivers, and other special places. 
  

How can we help you make your vision a reality? 

 

 

This is a free monthly publication to share activities and successes of National Park Service Conservation and Outdoor Recreation programs and partners.

 

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Images courtesy of the National Park Service except as noted.
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