Are your state parks in danger?
Budget cuts across the country could close some or many of your state parks. That could reduce your access to birding sites while affecting the local economy.According to a press release from National Association of State Park Directors,
“Building state parks creates jobs, and operating state parks stimulates outdoor recreation and tourism spending. That translates to a huge boon to our local economies,” said NASPD President Joe Elton, director of Virginia State Parks. Elton further stated, “In 2009, visitors to state parks across America helped create a $20 billion economic impact, which is an incredible return on investment given that the overall budget expenditure nationwide is less than $2.3 billion.”In response to the budget cuts, NASPD created America's State Parks to highlight the parks' natural and economic benefits. Do you have a favorite state park or two for birding?
posted by Amy at 8:57 AM
3 Comments:
Arizona's state parks have been shut down at least once in the 6 years we've lived there, and though I haven't been following the story since I left, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find them battened down again on my March visit to Tucson. It's a crying shame.
California's state parks have been under siege for a while, so I buy the Frequent Visitor membership in California State Parks Foundation and like having the annual day-use pass.
yes, we always get an annual pass, too, and consider it money well spent, even as it has nearly doubled in price. I don't think AZ has any sort of private "parks foundation," but it might not hurt.
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