Recreational Economic Impact of the Little Miami River

Earlier this year, the TLT Board hosted Hope Taft, Bill Schieman and Cris Barnett from the Little Miami
Watershed Network at one of its meetings. They summarized the findings of a recent study they conducted with the Ohio State University about the recreational economic impact of 43 miles of the Little Miami River, a designated National and State Scenic River. Visitor data was collected entirely by volunteers, and responses were driven from visitor interest in accessing areas along the river for hiking, birding, kayaking/canoeing,
biking and other recreation. The study reported the river attracts about 800,000 visitors a year and brings in $10 million dollars a year, with about half of that amount stemming from Yellow Springs & Clifton. So why is this information important to the Land Trust and its supporters? Because TLT protects privately owned land along the headwaters of the river in Clark County (near South Charleston) and also over 1,000 acres of Glen Helen Nature Preserve and surrounding areas in Yellow Springs. Recent grants TLT received from Ohio's H2O program are allowing landowners to restore wetlands along this northern River corridor as well. Our work contributes to keeping the River in better health, which in addition to being environmentally beneficial, also keeps visitors returning to the River and supporting local economies. To access the study online, visit https://lmwn.org/hello-world and click on the link to view the full report.