Green worth big green

Outdoor recreation in California is a big part of the state’s economy, generating more than $85 billion annually and creating 732,000 jobs, a report finds.

The report, compiled by the Outdoor Industry Association, found that nearly two-thirds of Californians participate in some form of outdoor recreation each year, according to California News Service. Laurel Williams, deputy conservation director for the California Wilderness Coalition, said national parks like Yosemite and the freshly anointed Pinnacles National Park are financial assets worth protecting, generating billions in food, travel and outdoor-gear expenses.

“Wilderness is a limited commodity,” Williams said. “We can’t make any more of it, so if we lose it, it’s gone forever. So, it’s really important that we protect the wildlands that we have.”