THE SPEAKERS

Nancy Merrill - Director, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation

THE PROGRAM

On September 21, 2009 Nancy Merrill took the helm as the new Director for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Her portfolio includes 30 state parks and recreation trail ways, entailing stewardship of some of Idaho's most special and desirable places. Parks and Recreation stakeholders are a diverse group including boaters, skiers, off road vehicle folks, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, hikers, fishers and campers of every sort.

Managing these sometimes conflicting interests is a tough enough job in ordinary times. But these are no ordinary times. To say that Nancy takes over at a challenging time is an understatement.

Use of our state parks is inversely related, it seems, to the economy. As belts tighten, park use increases. Indeed, visitor rates are up 11% this year. Yet general fund revenues allocated to the Department were cut by 56% last January and the worst may lie ahead. As a result, our backyard wonderland is no longer available for an easy family getaway. For example, if you want a camping space at Payette Lake you must book your trip many months in advance.

If this were a business, one might contend that now is the time to expand to meet increased demand. If one's task were to increase tourism and entice new businesses to Idaho, one must also conclude that this is not the time to eliminate this magnet for economic activity. But, given the crushing downturn in state revenues, the Administration has determined that there remains no choice but to cut back.

Nancy will explain how the Department is bearing up to meet these challenges. Her comments will address both the short term impacts of these financial challenges as well as her long term vision for the Department. That vision, by necessity, will entail some new ways of doing business in order to survive the current downturn and build a sustainable model for the future. Please join us for a fascinating discussion of how to address this dilemma.