Good reasons to protect resources

It's a beautiful Labor Day weekend, and John and Jane Smith from Wichita, Kan., pack their two dogs, three kids, swimsuits, sunscreen, inner tube and other goodies and head to their favorite destination: Table Rock State Park near Branson.

On the way, John realizes he's low on gas, so he stops at a convenience station just across the Missouri border and fills up, buying sodas and snacks for the kids as well. When they arrive at the park, the kids spend the day splashing, swimming and enjoying the park's boats. They consider using the park camping facilities, which are always well-maintained, but decide instead to drive into Branson and enjoy dinner and a show and stay overnight at a hotel. The next day they do a little shopping and then head back to Kansas.

This fictional family's visit reflects what has become a growing trend in Missouri, according to a recent University of Missouri-Columbia study: In 2002, individuals and families from outside Missouri visiting Missouri state parks spent more than $140 million while in our state. In fact, in-state and out-of-state visitors spent $410 million visiting Missouri's state parks and historic sites. This includes all sales associated with the trip, such as travel expenses, lodging and groceries.

When this amount is spent and re-spent in the economy, it brings Missouri's state park system's overall economic impact in the state to $538 million annually. This is how much visitors spent after being drawn here by our state's historical and cultural resources, fresh air, clear water and land that sustains a variety of trees, plants, flowers and animals. The study also showed that state park visitor expenditures support 7,660 jobs and generate an additional $162 million in income.

This study's findings hold two important discoveries for Missouri.

The first relates to the business community. Clearly there is a wealth of opportunities for businesses located near Missouri's state parks. These parks and historic sites, a total of 83 located in every region of Missouri, help drive customers to local restaurants, grocery stores, shops and tourist attractions.

Businesses located in these areas may further benefit by tailoring their services to park visitors. And those considering creating or establishing new businesses may want to consider providing services in these areas as well. The state park visitor has become a valuable consumer in recent years. Bicycling equipment, camping equipment, fishing gear and picnic necessities all appear to be good bets in areas near the state's most popular parks.

Secondly, this study shows us that environmental protection does pay off -- literally. As the Missouri Department of Natural Resources maintains, environmental protection and economic development can -- and should go -- hand in hand. Visitors are drawn to our state parks and historic sites because the air, land and water in these areas are clean and healthy, and our cultural and historical resources have been well preserved.

Few would enjoy a walk along the Meramac River in Castlewood State Park, for example, if smoggy air prevented them from breathing. And how many would want to go fishing on Truman Lake in Harry S. Truman State Park if the fish were belly-up from pollution?

At the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, it is our hope that by protecting all of Missouri's resources -- not just those in our state parks -- we can increase tourism in our cities, amusement parks and other hot spots, just as we have with our parks.

In these times of economic uncertainty, one thing is certain: The benefits of protecting and promoting Missouri's state parks and natural resources are abundant. In fact, according to MU, visitors to our state parks in 2002 gave us more than 538 million good reasons to protect these resources.

Steve Mahfood is the director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Jefferson City, Mo.