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With our abundant forests, sandstone cliffs and rushing rivers, West Virginia has always been a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. In fact, the outdoor recreation and tourism industries are major economic drivers for our state, and the New River Gorge area is one of the most visited areas — particularly since it was designated as the 63rd national park in 2020.
Data from the National Park Service and West Virginia Department of Tourism both show that visitor spending — including lodging and increased revenue to adjacent communities — have been at an all-time high with no signs of slowing down (particularly with the announcement of an additional 963 acres being added to the preserve portion). Last year, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve welcomed 1.6 million visitors and they spent an estimated $79.3 million in local gateway regions during their visit. This resulted in a total of $96.1 million in economic output in those areas.
Now, this is all very positive news for our area and our state. However, we must keep in mind the importance of environmental stewardship. What is environmental stewardship you ask? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it is defined as “the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment.” You may have heard of the Leave No Trace Principles, which we advocate to anyone visiting the great outdoors. On a larger scale, the NRGRDA must maintain balance between nature and commerce. We want to leverage our assets, but we also want to keep them protected so that they will be here for years to come.
Along with the NRGRDA’s partnership with the NPS, and other organizations that are sustainability-minded, one of our newer initiatives focusing on our natural environment is Outdoor NRG. Supported by the Beckley Area Foundation and Central Appalachian Network, the purpose of Outdoor NRG is to collectively build a network and environment that attracts, fosters, and prioritizes entities manufacturing goods that serve adventure sports and the outdoor industry. By gathering data and crafting a message drawing interest and regional marketing potential, Outdoor NRG strives to retain and grow a unique, healthy population of industry businesses complimentary to the outdoor industry, creating jobs, a stable workforce, and a growing regional population. Click here to learn more about Outdoor NRG.
As it is the NRGRDA’s mission to initiate, facilitate and support local communities and economic growth, we recognize that environmental stewardship goes hand-in-hand. If our natural landscape suffers, that will affect not only tourism, but also businesses (both established and potential) and residents.
In short, in order to maintain the New River Gorge’s economic growth, it is vital that we all do our part in protecting our land and the surrounding environment.
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