From the declaration of the New River Gorge Nationwide Park to renovating the state parks in West Virginia, during the last 5 years our tourism business has acquired an incredible quantity of consideration and assist. That assist has introduced dividends as we have now seen tourism income improve by upwards of fifty %, producing $4.5 billion for the state’s economic system.
Given the nationwide consideration, elevated journey and investments the state has made, now greater than ever it’s important we proceed to retain West Virginia’s pure magnificence. The company that’s on the entrance line, defending our forests, is one that may shock you. It’s time to acknowledge and assist the efforts of the West Virginia Division of Agriculture in preserving the state’s pure assets and sights. With out our company’s efforts, our tourism business wouldn’t be the place it’s right now.
As Commissioner of Agriculture, I chair the State Conservation Committee which guides the West Virginia Conservation Company selling wholesome soil and clear water. The company helps the regionally elected Conservation District Supervisors and 170 flood management dams below the Conservation Districts jurisdictions. These dams typically present leisure alternatives and water reserves whereas defending life and property. The Conservation Company additionally works with the WVDA to advertise good agricultural practices by way of voluntary efforts with our farmers. It’s these efforts that proceed to protect water basins, just like the Chesapeake Bay, for generations to come back.
With most of our state coated in priceless hardwoods, our stunning, tree-covered mountains are certainly one of our state’s biggest property. From timbering to campers, fowl watchers and hikers, a number of income is generated by our pure magnificence. To protect this asset, it takes a number of manpower to watch and deal with our forest well being. Within the New River Gorge Nationwide Park (and Protect), we proceed to guard oak bushes from gypsy moth. A brand new invasive pest, the noticed lanternfly, threatens our specialty grape and wine business. Water sports activities, together with fishing and rafting, require clear water, in addition to black fly administration. In case you have visited Blackwater Falls or Cathedral State Parks, it was the WVDA that saved the hemlock bushes that contribute to the pure surroundings. All these packages are managed by the WVDA.
One of many quickest rising sectors of tourism is agritourism. To totally faucet into this new market, we have now devoted a full-time workers member and have labored to cross laws to acknowledge and assist the business develop. Our staffer is devoted to serving to our pick-your-own farms, Christmas tree farms, corn mazes and wedding ceremony barns. We now have additionally labored to assist farm-to-table dinners together with partnering with West Virginia state parks to host a majority of these dinners across the state. All these occasions not solely present tourism alternatives however increase markets for our native farmers. All these venues and occasions play a component in rising our tourism business and bringing elevated income to the state.
I commend Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby and her tourism group on their efforts. They’ve performed an incredible job with the funding they’ve been given to make the Mountain State a tourism vacation spot. As we proceed to advertise the state, we should match the funding we have now made in tourism within the packages that defend its magnificence. The WVDA is extra than simply farms, we contact tourism and the lives of each West Virginian daily. We’re essential within the promotion and safety of our tourism business. In case you have ever hiked, loved time on the water or visited certainly one of our many state parks, you may thank the WVDA and its companions for shielding our pure magnificence.
Kent A. Leonhardt is West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture.
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