Economic impact of Sandhill cranes
By Katie Nieland, Center for Great Plains Studies with University of Nebraska Kearney Communications
The Sandhill crane migration is looked at as one of the prime examples of successful ecotourism in the Great Plains. To further examine its impact on the area, the Center paired with a University of Nebraska Kearney-led team of researchers and several partners connected to crane tourism.
Co-authors Bree Dority, Eric Thompson, Shawn Kaskie, and Lisa Tschauner developed the report using visitor surveys at several crane-viewing locations.
The resulting study of the 2017 Sandhill crane migration expands upon previous reports published in Great Plains Research.
Some key findings of the new study include:
- $14.3 million economic impact in a 13-county area
- 182 full-time jobs created
- $379,000 in yearly tax revenue
- 46,500 visitors, most of which are non-Central Nebraska residents
- $93.37 spent per day by visitors
Read the story from UNK Communications and download the whole report.