New Mexico’s tourist and outdoor recreation industries likely got a shot in the arm this week as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced two new national wildlife refuges in the Land of Enchantment. Valle de Oro and Rio Mora could help create new jobs and business opportunities as they create new tourist and recreation opportunities in the state.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is the Southwest’s first urban refuge, and was created using a contribution of 390 acres from Valley Gold Farms. Only miles away from the state capital of Albuquerque, Valle De Oro could easily become a tourist destination for visitors who want to enjoy the urban experience while having easy access to the refuge’s scenery and wildlife.
Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Conservations Area consists of 4,200 acres donated by the Thaw Charitable Trust.
As in the case of national monuments, history shows these wildlife areas will help to boost local economies of surrounding communities. With an increase over the last five years in the number of hunters and anglers, protecting lands to maintain these activities is important to states and their outdoor industries.
In 2011 alone, Americans spent $145 billion on wildlife-related recreation, representing one percent of the nation’s GDP. Beyond tourism and business revenues, wildlife refuges have positive impacts on residential property values, giving homeowners the added benefit of living in a beautiful and protected area. Designation of a NWR near communities ensures that the space will be conserved for outdoor activities and protected from industry developers. Salazar in a Department of Interior press release said:
Both refuges exemplify goals of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to establish a 21st century conversation ethic built on partnerships and to fuel the economic growth in local communities.
Coming on the heels of the newly established Sangre de Cristo Conservation Area in Colorado, Salazar’s designation of these two wildlife refuges creates a wildlife corridor that will promise protection for the Mora River watershed, as well as maintain one of the most scenic grassland landscapes in America.
Valle del Oro and Rio Mora become part of the nation’s 397 national park units, 103 national monuments, and 757 wilderness areas.