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Salt Lake City - The nation’s leading voice for the national parks, the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association today announced the release of a new report that examines the economic significance and impact of national parks in Southeast Utah, and underscores the importance of promoting economic growth and opportunities that are compatible with preserving and protecting these national treasures in San Juan and Grand counties.

"Our national parks are magnets for economic growth; civic leaders and residents of San Juan and Grand counties have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to build a local economy that leverages the exquisite beauty of these special places, while also making sure these assets are preserved for our children and grandchildren," said David Nimkin, director of the National Parks Conservation Association’s Southwest regional office.

The National Parks Conservation Association report, Landscapes of Opportunity, compiles data from multiple sources, offering a snapshot of the economic benefits of visitor spending in San Juan and Grand counties and the influx of new residents, which are known to bring capital and innovation, and the increasing diversification of economies once driven by mining to now include tourism and related employment.

In 2006, for instance, 1.2 million visitors to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks spent $99 million during their visits, which one economist estimates supported 2,315 local jobs.

"Our national parks are iconic, and brand the State of Utah for exceptional beauty, natural serenity and outdoor recreation," said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism, an office in the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "We use pictures of our national parks on all of our domestic and international marketing pieces and find they are a major draw for attracting tourists and increased traveler spending from around the globe."

To ensure the continued vitality of the national park sites and communities in Southeast Utah, the National Parks Conservation Association report recommends enhanced business relationships between the National Park Service and local communities; coordinated regional branding and marketing, and careful, long-term planning and development to benefit local residents and avoid compromising the qualities of the national parks that are central to continued economic opportunity.

"When researching this report, civic leaders and residents told us that national parks are the heart and soul of this region, anchoring economic growth and development. As these communities in Southeast Utah consider how they will continue to grow, planning with a purpose to protect the very places that put this region on the world’s must-see list should remain a priority," Nimkin added.

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