Latest news with #SCORP
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
REPORT: Outdoor recreation adds $7.3B to Arkansas economy
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state's GDP and supported 68,431 jobs, according to a report from Bentonville-based Heartland Forward. The findings, released on Feb. 24, at the Arkansas Outdoor Economy Summit, look at the sector's role in the state's $9.9 billion tourism industry. The outdoor recreation sector directly contributed $4.5 billion (2.5%) to Arkansas' GDP, reflecting a 33% growth from 2019 to 2023, according to the Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Impact Report. In 2023 alone, outdoor recreation generated $926 million in federal, $729 million in state and $240 million in local tax revenue. Arkansas ranks fourth nationwide for the share of its GDP attributed to outdoor product manufacturing. Bentonville West High School students win STEM competition for cancer detection app Other key takeaways include: Outdoor amenity construction saw a 52.7% increase in GDP contribution over the past four years, largely due to bike trail expansion projects. Regional employment data shows that 31.3% of Arkansas' outdoor recreation jobs are in Northwest Arkansas, with 27.2% in Central Arkansas. The fishing sector experienced a 36.8% increase in GDP contribution between 2019 and 2023, and Arkansas ranks sixth in the nation for the economic impact of its boating industry. The report also introduces a new dataset that uses artificial intelligence to analyze 90,000 companies and identify outdoor recreation-focused businesses in Arkansas. Simultaneously, state officials released the 2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), a five-year strategy outlining key investment, accessibility and conservation priorities. The plan is essential for securing federal funding through programs like the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund. To sustain growth, the Office of Outdoor Recreation is investing in trail development, water access projects and workforce training through the 2025-2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Major projects include enhancements at Petit Jean State Park, Delta Heritage Trail, Lake Conway, and Bayou Bartholomew. Workforce initiatives, such as NWACC's Trail Technician program, aim to prepare Arkansans for careers in outdoor recreation. The plan outlines a five-year strategy to expand infrastructure, improve accessibility and secure federal funding and promote outdoor innovation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DCNR invites public comment to shape vision for outdoor recreation
Feb. 8—Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week announced a series of webinars and an open opportunity for people to share their thoughts on ways to improve and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania. The public will be able to comment on a draft of the 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) from Feb. 3 through March 3. An online public input form is available on DCNR's website, and webinars on the five priority areas for the 2025-2029 SCORP will be conducted during this period. "This plan is critical for the future of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania, and I encourage those interested to share perspectives to help us design more people-focused initiatives for the future," Secretary Dunn said. "Outdoor recreation delivers huge benefits for all of us — from driving local economies, to helping us lead healthy, active lifestyles. We all need outdoor recreation in our lives, and this plan makes recommendations on how we can make it accessible to everyone." Priority areas in the five-year plan and their related webinar dates are: —Promoting Community and Economic Development, Feb. 3, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. —Advancing Health and Wellness, Feb. 5, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. Supporting Equity and Inclusion — February 10 — 12:00 PM — 12:30 PM — Register —Addressing Infrastructure and Maintenance, Feb. 12, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. —Progressing on Sustainability and Climate Change, Feb. 19. 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. Every five years, states must develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to guide policies, programs, and investments while remaining eligible for federal funding. SCORP enables Pennsylvania to remain eligible for federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has provided more than $216 million since 1965 to fund projects. Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry contributes $19 billion to the Commonwealth's economy, represents 2 percent of its GDP, and supports more than 68,000 jobs that provide $9 billion in wages and salaries. Lackawanna River Heritage Trail benefits from $37,051 state grant The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority recently was awarded a $37,051 grant by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, announced state Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski. The authority will use the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program funds for construction and engineering costs to close a critical gap in the established Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, located in Dickson City Borough. The plan is to develop a new, multi-use 0.5-mile trail section in Dickson City. Activities include installing a wall system, fencing, and trees along the corridor to separate industrial areas from the trail, installing benches, trash/recycling stations, an asphalt path, and signage. "This project will create an important recreational and transportation corridor along the Lackawanna River starting at Railroad Street in Dickson City and continuing north to Eagle Lane," said Kosierowski, D-Waverly. "We were able to secure the funding by collaborating with Sen. Marty Flynn, and I would like to thank the CFA board for approving the grant." Natural gas drilling fees under the Marcellus Legacy Fund supply the CFA with funds for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. PGC: Pheasants to be released next week Pheasant hunters, don't put away your gear just yet. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be releasing approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, to provide additional hunting recreation in the last two weeks of pheasant season, which runs through Feb. 28. "The Game Commission purchases the pheasant chicks raised on our game farms from a private sector supplier," said Wildlife Operations Division Chief Ian Gregg. "During the 2024 production season, we requested our supplier to raise additional pheasants to be held through the fall and early winter as an 'insurance policy' against any disease issues that might arise in the supplier's primary breeder flocks. Although highly pathogenic avian influenza is known to be present on the Pennsylvania landscape, and it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a future disease outbreak that could impact 2025 production, the primary breeder flocks have remained healthy to date and it is not feasible for the 'backup' birds to also be held into the upcoming breeding season. Therefore, these surplus pheasants will be released a few weeks before the end of the pheasant season to provide late-winter hunting opportunities." Releases are planned to occur during a two-day window next week, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 13, at select locations in each of the Game Commission's six regions. Hunters should be aware, however, that logistical issues could result in last-minute changes to the planned schedule. Northeast Region —SGL 40 and Beltzville area (Carbon County) —SGLs 58, 226, and 329 (Columbia County) —SGLs 119 and 187; Butler Enterprises Hunter Access property; Frances Slocum and Nescopeck State Parks (Luzerne County) —SGLs 84 and 165 (Northumberland County) The Game Commission's regular pheasant stocking schedule extends from early October to early January, with more than 240,000 pheasants released during that period in 2024-25 and similar numbers planned for 2025-26. "This year's February stockings should be considered experimental, and may or may not be repeated in future years depending on 2025 results, annual evaluation of disease risks, and agency budget constraints," Gregg said.
