Well this seems worth noting. Perhaps, even repeating to those who just hate "economic stimulus" -- just on the principle of it.
National wildlife refuges contribute to economy
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the areas infuse national economy with $2.4 billion and 35,000 jobs.
by Tom Wharton, The Salt Lake Tribune -- Nov 11, 2013
[...]
A recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that refuges are strong economic engines for local communities. The report, released by Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, said the refuges pump $2.4 billion into the economy and support more than 35,000 jobs.
"Our National Wildlife Refuge System is the world’s greatest network of lands dedicated to wildlife conservation, but it is also a powerful economic engine for local communities across the country, attracting more than 46 million visitors from around the world who support local restaurants, hotels and other businesses," said Jewell in a recent speech at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. "In addition to conserving and protecting public lands for future generations, the report shows that every dollar we invest in our refuge system generates huge economic dividends for our country."
[...]
For every $1 appropriated in Fiscal Year 2011, the refuges contributed $4.87 in total economic output.
That's quite the return on the investment:
$1 in and almost $5 out!
Now, that's what you call a Multiplier Effect.
Hopefully that message of investing in our Environment can be "multiplied" too. This former CEO of REI is giving that messaging effort, her level best:
Report: Wildlife refuges create $2B for economy
by Matthew Daly, wncn.com, AP -- Nov 05, 2013
[...]
The trip comes after [Sally] Jewell issued a call for increased conservation spending at a speech last week. In her first major address since taking office this spring [Dept of Interior Secretary], Jewell urged Congress to push for full funding for parks and other public lands in the federal budget.
If Congress does not act to protect mountains, rivers and forests from development, President Barack Obama will use his executive authority to do so, Jewell said. Obama designated five new national monuments earlier this year and will not hesitate to protect historic or ecologically significant sites, she said.
[...]
Jewell said one of the few positive effects of the shutdown, which she called "absurd" and "wasteful," is a renewed appreciation for the nation's network of public lands, from national parks to wildlife refuges to vast areas maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Interior Department manages more than 500 million acres in national parks and other public lands -- 20 percent of the nation's total land mass.
It's called a "public resource" for a reason -- primary being: It belongs to us.
Shouldn't we conserve and protect these "public resources" whenever we can -- especially when it leads to so many local "cottage industries" whenever we do?
I've really liked the new Secretary of the DOI, especially after hearing clips like this:
Secretary Sally Jewell's Message to Interior Staff Regarding Climate Change
link to video
US Department of the Interior -- Published on Jun 26, 2013
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell recorded a video message to all employees to give an update on President Obama's comprehensive plan on climate change and how Interior will play a key role in our Nation's efforts to develop homegrown energy, take steps to cut carbon pollution, and leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations.
How she slipped by the GOP Science-denial Stonewalling Machine,
I'll probably never know!
But whatever the reason, I'm glad she did. The pace of Climate Change is not really waiting for US to catch up with it, now is it? It's far past time we got with the carbon-mitigation program, as U.S. Secretary Jewell advocates for.