SHAHEEN MEETS WITH STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCATION, HIGHLIGHTS NEW HAMPSHIRE’S OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY

This afternoon U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) visited the Student Conservation Association facility in Charlestown to meet with association members and discuss the important role New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation industry plays in the state’s economy. The SCA specifically prepares young adults for careers in conservation through hands-on internships and volunteer opportunities with national and state parks, private corporations, and nonprofit organizations, shaping the next generation of leaders and conservationists.

“In New Hampshire we are lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures and countless number of scenic lakes and beaches. Together, they draw visitors from all over the world so it’s imperative that we protect them for the future,” said Shaheen. “We must prepare the next generation of young adults to continue working on conservation and preservation because that’s what’s best for our environment and our economy.”  

At the SCA facility, Senator Shaheen highlighted New Hampshire’s tourism industry, the state’s second largest, and the key role that the outdoor recreation industry plays locally and nationally before discussing her commitment to protecting and bolstering this sector of New Hampshire’s economy. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation economy in New Hampshire supports 49,000 jobs and produces $4.2 billion in direct consumer spending. Nationally the industry produces over 6.1 million jobs nationally and $646 billion in consumer spending. The work of the SCA benefits this critical sector of the economy by ensuring the outdoor recreation industry’s future prosperity, helping New Hampshire to continue to grow and flourish.

Since 1957, more than 70,000 high school, college and graduate students have served with SCA and the National Park Service now estimates that 12% of its workforce began their careers with SCA.

In the Senate, Shaheen has long worked to protect our nation’s natural treasures through her support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) which provides resources to ensure that all Americans can enjoy outdoor recreation, superior water quality and protected wildlife. She is also a cosponsor of the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act, which would provide permanent appropriations for the LWCF at $900 million.