Economic Development and Preservation: The Case of National Parks

Abstract

Environmentalists sometimes overlook the economic consequences of crusades to preserve landscapes, whereas local development interests often assume that preservation spells doom for economic development efforts. A proposed Sonoran Desert National Park in southwest Arizona, especially if linked with one in northern Mexico, would likely generate significant economic benefit to local towns. National parks are important export-oriented industries whose role needs to be understood for effective strategic planning, particularly in the development of gateway communities.