As the spring rain subsides and summer approaches, I have the distinct impression that most of us in the Upper Valley are planning some wonderful outdoor adventures. Some of my recent conversations have included debates about the best Upper Valley trails, hearing about plans for a climbing trip on Denali and listening to the vivid description of a dogsled expedition in northernmost Greenland. These exciting exchanges highlight just how much we value trails and access to the great outdoors.
Most of us take to trails to connect to nature and improve our mental and physical health. We may not realize that our obsession with being outdoors is simultaneously supporting our economy, and particularly our struggling Vermont and New Hampshire rural economies. Real estate studies indicate that we care enough about trails to pay 5-20 percent more for a house near a trail. This year, over 6 million people will visit the White Mountain National Forest, 100,000 people are expected on the Long Trail in Vermont and over 10,000 people will hike the Gile Mountain trail in Norwich.
Last year, the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council completed a study to determine the economic impact of a select group of our trail systems, including the Long Trail, Catamount Trails, Kingdom Trails and the Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association Trails. The 410,000 estimated annual users of these trails generated over $15 million in direct sales, $2 million in tax revenues and over $30 million in total economic activity, according to the study. Even this limited study highlights the current economic power and future potential of our recreation economy.
As we pursue our love for the great outdoors beyond Vermont and New Hampshire, we continue to spread our positive economic influence. Our top ten national parks receive over 44 million visitors per year, and the Outdoor Industry Association’s recent economic impact report showed Americans spending as much as $887 billion per year on outdoor recreation
While much of this is good news, the increased activity also brings clear challenges. Unfortunately, we are not currently translating our love for outdoor recreation into nearly enough concrete support for our trails and public lands. It is clear that too many of us see trails as fixed public assets rather than as invaluable and vulnerable resources demanding annual investment and maintenance.
Those of us who professionally care for trails are keenly aware that all of this increased use also necessitates more user education, monitoring and maintenance.
Unfortunately, as trail use has increased, most trail budgets have been shrinking. National park visitation has increased by more than 20 percent since 2014, but the budget in today’s dollars has decreased by 12 percent (over $360 million). The deferred maintenance backlog has also been growing, and now stands at over $11.5 billion. Insufficient funding leads to more trail abuse and less maintenance. In recent years, many park directors and trail managers across the country have had to temporarily, if not permanently, shut down trails. It is also becoming even harder to try to close this gap given the worrying trend of smaller and aging volunteer groups.
The good news is that our love for the outdoors provides motivation and hope as we strive to meet these challenges. I have seen heartening and positive momentum as diverse groups have come together to advocate for trails and outdoor recreation at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance Trails Connect Forum and this year’s annual meetings of Vermont Trails and Greenways, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Vermont Community Development Association. More than ever, we need this kind of positive momentum and unity to insist on more investment of time and money into the infrastructure of our trails and public lands. This is not the time for disputes between motorized and non-motorized trail users, hunters and hikers, conservationists and preservationists, or liberals and conservatives.
Instead, this is the time for all of us to step up, individually and together. We need to do everything we can to help, whether that means spending hours volunteering on a trail crew or simply following the rules of the trail and striving to leave no trace.
Based on our shared values and love for the outdoors, we must unify, advocate, volunteer, donate and vote for the good of our communities. Our investments truly make a difference, not only for those of us who are active trail users, but for everyone in the Upper Valley and beyond.
Randy Richardson is Development Director at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance and he can be reached at randy.richardson@uvtrails.org or 802-649-9075.