Environment Provides Florida Huge Economic Benefits

Report shows fishing and hunting alone accounted for $8 billion impact in 2006.

TALLAHASSEE, FL — March 4, 2009 — The tremendous financial benefits Florida receives from its beautiful natural habitats and protected conservation lands are documented and compiled in a new report released today by The Nature Conservancy.

The report – titled “Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Case for Florida Forever” – makes clear the economic rewards of Florida Forever and of the state’s commitment to protecting conservation land.

The Florida state park system, for example, had an overall direct economic impact of more than $1 billion on local economies throughout the state, according to fiscal year 2007-2008 data. More than $70 million was contributed to general revenues in the form of state sales taxes and 20,100 jobs were generated as a result of the state parks’ operations.

Fishing and hunting accounted for a robust industry of more than $8 billion in 2006 and helped support almost 85,300 jobs. This industry requires healthy freshwater, forest and marine ecosystems to sustain the state’s fisheries and wildlife populations.

“By investing in Florida Forever and ensuring that our ecosystems remain healthy and functioning, Florida’s policy-makers can ensure that future generations inherit the ‘life support systems’ that are the foundation of Florida’s quality of life and economic prosperity,” said Jeff Danter, The Nature Conservancy’s Florida director. The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Access the report.

“Tourism, hunting and wildlife viewing generate significant tax revenues and jobs, and connect millions of people to Florida’s natural heritage. These activities are a real treasure and a bargain for Florida,” said Rob Southwick, of Southwick Associates Inc., a firm that specializes in measuring and analyzing the economics of outdoor recreation.

“Florida Forever and other programs are imperative if our kids are to have the same outdoor opportunities we do.”

The report documents the values of Florida’s natural amenities and will be used to urge the Florida Legislature to fully fund Florida Forever in the 2009 Regular Session of the Legislature, which begins this week.

“Historically, the category of conservation benefits least documented and appreciated by the public are those related to the economy,” said Andy McLeod, The Nature Conservancy’s director of government affairs.

“All Floridians know and love the beauty of our beaches, forests, savannas, lakes, springs and meandering rivers. This report explains and documents additional, economic reasons that our state needs Florida Forever.”

The report also finds that:

• Florida’s agriculture industry is tied to protected natural resources and provides economic, cultural, recreational and ecological benefits. In 2006, the state’s forest products and ranching industries accounted for a $9.8 billion economic impact and supported a minimum of 195,000 jobs.

• Conservation that helps to buffer military facilities in Florida allow for continued national security training while helping preserve Florida’s natural communities and threatened and endangered species. Military land in Florida must be buffered to avoid encroaching development and to prevent future closures of base missions in Florida.

“These findings — and the dependence of many of Florida’s key industries on healthy natural resources — make clear the importance of Florida’s focus on its investment in land conservation. The support of taxpayers, businesses, legislators and governors for Florida Forever, and Preservation 2000 before it, has yielded real and sustainable economic benefits,” the report states.

The Nature Conservancy produced “Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: A Case for Florida Forever” in conjunction with the six other member organizations of the Florida Forever Coalition and other experts in the field of conservation economics.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.