RENO, NV – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chair of the Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade, and Export Promotion, visited the Rosewood Lakes Nature Study Area, a golf course turned wetland and nature study area, thanks to the Truckee Meadows Park Foundation. Senator Rosen toured the area to learn about the revitalization and rehabilitation process of the local ecosystem and wetland habitat.
“Outdoor recreation is a major contributor to Nevada’s economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation in Nevada generates over $5.5 billion in economic output annually and is responsible for nearly 60,000 Nevada jobs,” said Senator Rosen. “Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in participation and demand in outdoor recreation, which has created both opportunities and challenges for the industry. I was glad to talk to the Truckee Meadows Park Foundation about the incredible work they’re doing to preserve and maintain Nevada’s outdoors so visitors can continue to enjoy them for years to come. I was also grateful to hear how I can continue supporting the outdoor recreation industry in Nevada as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
BACKGROUND: Most recently, this was the site of the Rosewood Lakes Golf Course, which closed in June 2015 when the Veterans Parkway cut across the golf course. Rosewood Lakes was owned by the City of Reno, and it was decided not to rebuild the golf course but to use the land for the nature study area. Management of the old golf course was taken over by Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation (TMPF) in 2019. The 219-acre Rosewood Nature Study Area provides the community with a wetland to learn about waterfowl and other creatures. The mixture of paved and natural trails provides recreation and beauty. Through partnership and an advisory board, TMPF has been restoring the area to a functional wetland system, while providing educational and recreational opportunities for the community. This Spring, TMPF signed a 30-year lease with the City to continue managing the open space and reviving the wetland habitat. With phase one complete, the park was officially reopened to the public on June 12, 2021.
In addition to the Rosewood Lakes project, TMPF manages a number of other projects in support of the region’s parks and runs a robust outdoor camp program for youth in the community.
Senator Rosen is a co-sponsor of the Transit to Trails Act of 2021, which would create a grant program to fund projects that make transportation to parks, green spaces, and public lands and waters more accessible for underserved communities.
Senator Rosen recently led a FY22 appropriations letter supporting nearly $68 million in funding to manage the system of National Conservation Lands. This additional funding will enhance proper management and protection of these lands and provide a quality visitor experience.
Last Congress, Senator Rosen helped introduce and pass the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which was signed into law on August 4, 2020. GAOA permanently and fully funded the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with $900 million annually and created a five-year trust fund to address some of a $12 billion backlog of deferred maintenance projects at national parks and public lands. She also helped introduce the ANTIQUITIES Act, which would protect and enhance national monuments by declaring Congress’ support for the 51 National Monuments established from 1996 to 2017, including Gold Butte and Basin and Range in Nevada.
The outdoor recreation industry contributes $778 billion in economic output nationally and supports nearly 5.2 million American jobs, from guides to outfitters to manufacturers, small business owners, and so many more.
Over the past year, the U.S. has seen an increase in participation and demand in outdoor recreation, which has created both opportunities and challenges for the industry. Nearly 53% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2020, and 8.1 million more Americans hiked last year than in 2019.
Get Outdoors Nevada and the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition commissioned a study on the impact of COVID on outdoor recreation, which found that the state’s outdoor recreation economy lost about 6% of its jobs during the pandemic. With the loss of 13.7 million annual visitors to the state, tour companies, outfitters and guides, and other businesses suffered because they rely on those travelers.
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