Demands for public ecosystems' resources are consumptive (e.g. timber and oil), or non-consumptive (e.g. hiking and biking). Government agencies (city, state, etc.) often prefer to manage resources for consumptive demands because use rates are simpler to measure, tax, and report as positive economic impacts (PEI). Yet, when priorities shift to non-consumptive management then long-term benefits include ecosystem preservation for future use, residents' quality of life improves, and outdoor-oriented tourism increases PEI. Additionally, non-profit groups promote ecosystem stewardship when invited to collaborate in non-consumptive management. These ecosystem stewards indirectly add to PEI by reducing management costs due to volunteer hours. Creation and maintenance of recreational hiking and biking trails offer collaboration opportunities and are non-consumptive. An example of collaborative trail management is between the municipality of Carson City, NV (CC) and the non-profit organization Muscle Powered (MP). Carson City and MP cooperate to design trails, contact affected landowners, write and administer grants, complete required surveys, organize trail construction, and perform maintenance.
Results/Conclusions
Carson City, NV abuts the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada's Carson Range, and extends west to Lake Tahoe's eastern shore. In 1996, residents approved a 0.25% 'Quality-of-Life' sales tax to manage undeveloped 'open space' for non-consumptive uses. In 2005, MP and CC collaborated to create and manage recreational trails in these open spaces. The Ash-to-Kings trail development exemplifies this collaboration. In 2007, MP volunteers helped CC design the trail, and gain approvals from public and private landowners. Government agencies, private corporations, and other non-profits donated labor and expertise to MP for required surveys, and trail construction. Muscle Powered received grants; including funds for construction materials from the Quality-of-Life tax. Muscle Powered began construction in 2012, coordinated work schedules for all volunteers, and completed the project in 2015. Total volunteer work hours, 8,000, saved CC approximately $200,000.00. In 2016, the popular Ash-to-Kings trail became part of a nationally-known mountain bike competition that increases PEI by contributing over $2,000,000.00/year to CC's economy. Non-consumptive use of public ecosystems is successful when agencies, landowners, and non-profits collaborate.