Tourism Cares for Mount Vernon

On May 13, 2005, nearly 400 industry volunteers spent 2,500 combined hours carrying and dragging logs, limbs and trees in order to clear 300 acres surrounding Mount Vernon. The forest surrounding the home of George Washington was damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and covered in 50 years of debris that has been allowed to accumulate on the forest floor. The cleanup efforts helped to diminish the risk of forest fires, which could be fueled by the dead debris and could have threatened the historic estate, and provided enhanced shelter for animals, improved the appearance of the shoreline and helped the forest to regenerate.

Mount Vernon key facts:

• According to Mount Vernon’s Director of Horticulture, Dean Norton, the volunteers helped remove approximately 84 TONS (338 cubic yards) of wood from the forest floor, a feat that he estimates would have taken his labor force 10, 20 or even 30 years to do. 
• When you combine the in-kind services, sponsorships, rooms, travel and volunteer time, the tourism industry “gave back” approximately $200,000 to America for this event.
• In 2005 Mount Vernon received an average of 1 million visitors per year.
• Mount Vernon received a $4,500 Special Globus Grant in 2004 and again 2005.