June 16, 2016
For immediate release
ALBUQUERQUE – On Friday, June 17th, President Barack Obama and the First Family will travel to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico for vacation and to highlight the important role our national parks play in combating climate change and boosting our local economies. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation welcomes the President and his family and embraces this opportunity to celebrate our national parks and monuments.
During his presidency President Obama took significant action to protect national public lands here in New Mexico. In 2013 after a quarter century campaign, he used the Antiquities Act to designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and in 2014 he designated Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. Since then, the local economies have seen increased visitation and publicity which has benefitted local businesses. For instance, within the first year of Rio Grande del Norte’s designation, Rio Grande del Norte saw a 21 percent increase in visitors and the Accommodations and Food Service sector in Taos County increased by 8.3 percent.
Our national parks also help our state’s economy. In 2015, more than 1.7 million visitors to National Parks Service units in New Mexico spent $97.5 million and supported 1,503 jobs in our state (NPS data, available through Headwaters Economics).
“We are thrilled President Obama is visiting New Mexico and using this trip to remind Americans how important it is to protect these amazing landscapes from the threat of climate change,” said NMWF Executive Director Garrett VeneKlasen. “Permanently conserving these landscapes creates jobs, puts recreational money back into our local economies, and gives all New Mexicans – and all Americans – the opportunity to hunt, fish, camp, hike, and recreate on our public lands. It also ensures that our game and fish have large landscapes of refuge lands and protected watersheds. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation hopes the president’s visit will help us all recommit to protecting our cherished outdoor heritage. Local sportsmen and women were at the planning table both pre and post designation. Hunting and fishing are up front and center in both new monuments designated under the Obama Administration.”
The president’s visit comes during the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Aftervisiting Carlsbad Caverns, the first family will continue on to Yosemite National Park.