This page contains regional reports, case studies, tools, a library of additional research, and related news articles that Headwaters Economics has completed concerning the value of western protected public lands. We encourage use of the resources below, or contact Ray Rasker (406.570.7044) for more information about our research and work on this issue.
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General and Regional Studies
Case Studies
Tools
Library of Other Research
News Articles
General and Regional Studies
Protected Lands and Economics: What Research and Careful Analysis Say About the Economic Impact of Protected Lands
This document summarizes a variety of scientific research on the economic impact of Wilderness to nearby communities, especially in the West.
Three Wests: The Economic Importance of Air Travel in High-Amenity Rural Areas
This paper was published in the July 2009 issue of the Journal of Rural Studies. For more on the importance of access to markets, see our Three Wests web page.
The Economic Benefits of the Land and Water Conservation Fund
This short paper summarizes the important economic role that LWCF funding plays for local communities. The three-page paper includes a short bibliography.
Economic Change in the American West: Solutions to the Downside of Amenity Migration
This paper was presented by Ray Rasker in 2008 at the Banff Conference on “Understanding and Managing Amenity-Led Migration in Mountain Regions.”
Economic Benefits of Restoration and Adaptation Work in National Parks
This series of regional reports was prepared for the National Parks Conservation Association to study the benefits of helping National Parks respond to climate change.”
An Exploration Into the Economic Impact of Industrial Development Versus Conservation on Western Public Lands
This paper, available upon request from Ray Rasker, was published in the Journal of Society and Natural Resources in 2006 (19:191-207).
Case Studies
Gateways to Yellowstone: Protecting the Wild Heart of Our Region’s Thriving Economy
This paper synthesizes four studies on the economy of Yellowstone National Park’s gateway region.
The Economic Value of Public Lands Around Grand County, Utah
This study analyzes the economic role that public lands near Grand County, Utah play in the region.
Clearwater Basin Collaborative
This series of reports contains information and analysis on the evolving economic and fiscal role of public lands in central Idaho.
Montana Legacy Project
These studies review the fiscal impacts on Mineral and Lake counties of the Montana Legacy Project, the proposal to purchase 310,000 acres of Plum Creek Timber Compnay land and transfer it to state, federal, and private ownership.
The Economy of the Gila Region
This report explores the Gila Region in southern New Mexico and Arizona, with 63 percent of the land in public ownership as a case study.
Timber, Restoration Forestry, and Wilderness in Northeast Washington
This report examines northeast Washington’s communities and economy to determine the possible impacts of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition’s “Blueprint” proposal for managing National Forest lands in the region.
Tools
Economic Profile System – Human Dimensions Toolkit (EPS-HDT)
This Headwaters Economics tool allows users to produce free, detailed socioeconomic profiles at the county or state level.
The Three Wests
This Headwaters Economics web page and research shows there are three distinctly different types of counties in the West, defined by their access to major markets and population centers.
Library of Other Research
Annotated Bibliography: Studies on the Economic Value of Public Lands and Protected Public Lands
This six page summary lists research that has appeared in the peer-reviewed academic literature.
Suggested Reading: Protected Areas, Migration, Natural Amenities, and Economic Benefits
This two-page reading list overviews recent protected lands research.
Annotated Bibliography: The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation
This summary, from the Land Trust Alliance, references research on the economic and community benefits related to the protection of private and public lands.
News Articles
Wilderness Proposals in Central Oregon
Click here for a February 17, 2010 story from The Source Weekly on how Wilderness proposals could benefit rural communities in Central Oregon.
Protected Public Lands Legislation in New Mexico
Click here for a December 11, 2009 story from the Las Cruces Bulletin on the economicy benefits of legislation to create 350,000 acres of Wilderness in Dona Ana and Luna counties in New Mexico.
