Ayotte, Stakeholders Highlight Economic Benefit of Preserving NH Lands & Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte joined stakeholders from New Hampshire's outdoor industry and forestry industry, members of the conservation community, and local officials for a roundtable discussion this week at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, NH, focused on the economic benefit of preserving New Hampshire's natural resources and protecting outdoor recreational lands. The meeting, which was moderated by state Senator Jeb Bradley, included participants from the Crotched Mountain Foundation, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Audubon Society of NH, Trust for Public Land, the New Hampshire Forest Society, Plum Creek Timber Company, The Nature Conservancy, Dartmouth College, NEMO Equipment, and the Division of Forests and Lands.

Ayotte provided an update on her efforts to preserve New Hampshire's open spaces, including her strong support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Forest Legacy Program, which have helped advance public-private efforts to protect thousands of acres in New Hampshire without using taxpayer dollars. Ayotte also discussed bipartisan legislation she recently introduced, the U.S. OUTDOOR Act, that would lower or eliminate outdated tariffs on recreational outerwear and support the outdoor economy.

Following the roundtable, Ayotte and participants hiked on one of the rehabilitation center's accessible trails located within a conservation easement parcel funded by the Forest Legacy Program. Ayotte also toured the rehabilitation center and met with patients and staff.

"I appreciated hearing from members of New Hampshire's conservation community and stakeholders from our outdoor and forestry industries about ways to advance efforts to preserve New Hampshire's natural beauty for the benefit of future generations, and to create an environment where our outdoor recreation industry can continue grow and thrive," said Ayotte. "I was also able to see first-hand the incredible care Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center provides to support and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities - including expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities."

"We appreciate the time Senator Ayotte took to talk with us about how the Land and Water Conservation Fund helps New Hampshire and to see first-hand the importance of conserving NH's most special places," said Bruce Clendenning, Northern Forests Project Director at the Appalachian Mountain Club. "LWCF is important for anyone who cares about or enjoys New Hampshire's forests, trails, and seacoast. Senator Ayotte's commitment to fully funding LWCF proves she understands its critical role in supporting the tens of thousands of jobs in New Hampshire's outdoor recreation and forestry industries."

"Dartmouth College has a long tradition of enabling students to explore and enjoy the amazing natural landscape of New Hampshire," said Dan Nelson, Director of Outdoor Programs for Dartmouth College. "Whether it is hiking on the Appalachian Trail or rock climbing on the White Mountain National Forest, our surrounding public lands have been a big part of the Dartmouth experience for generations of students. Many of these special places were protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is essential for protecting these outdoor classrooms. Continued funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund is critical to making sure that our students, who come from all over the world, will continue to have recreational access to New Hampshire's special places."

Nationally, the outdoor industry generates $646 billion in consumer spending annually and directly supports 6 million American jobs, and it generates $4.2 billion in consumer spending in New Hampshire each year. According to data from the Outdoor Industry Foundation, outdoor recreation supports 53,000 jobs across New Hampshire.

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