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Year: 2024

  • The economic future of outdoor recreation in New Mexico’s Cibola and McKinley counties

    The economic future of outdoor recreation in New Mexico’s Cibola and McKinley counties

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    New modeling of trail use in Cibola and McKinley counties, New Mexico has identified more than $1.7 million in visitor contributions to the local economy each year. Read more

  • The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state. Read more

  • Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy

    Future-proofing the outdoor recreation economy

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Many outdoor recreation communities face outsized wildfire and flood risks. They must prioritize updating infrastructure, community planning, and emergency response. Read more

  • How destination management organizations can balance the amenity trap

    How destination management organizations can balance the amenity trap

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Headwaters Economics worked with leaders in Bend, Oregon to identify strategies that can help ensure the city’s appeal for both tourism and long-term livability. Read more

  • Reinvesting in rural America

    Reinvesting in rural America

    Patricia Hernandez

    Reversing the legacy of rural disinvestment—and deliberately designing solutions for rural America—is a down payment on our shared future. Read more

  • Economic Impact of National Parks

    Economic Impact of National Parks

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Millions of national park visitors generate economic opportunities for gateway communities, spending money that creates jobs and income. See the trends for every national park service unit. Read more

  • Rising demand for FEMA’s BRIC program far exceeds available funding

    Rising demand for FEMA’s BRIC program far exceeds available funding

    Kris Smith, Ph.D.

    An analysis of FEMA’s BRIC program for climate adaptation and disaster resilience funding shows rising demand, but unequal access. Read more

  • The cost of retrofitting a home for wildfire resistance

    The cost of retrofitting a home for wildfire resistance

    Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

    Retrofitting a home for wildfire resistance can cost as little as $2,000, making this approach an effective risk reduction strategy for communities. Read more

  • Federal climate vulnerability maps overlook low-capacity communities

    Federal climate vulnerability maps overlook low-capacity communities

    Patricia Hernandez

    Federal maps designed to identify “at-risk and in-need” communities have failed to identify those at the lower end of the capacity spectrum. Read more

  • Updates to Wildfire Risk to Communities reveal 115 million people living with high wildfire risk

    Updates to Wildfire Risk to Communities reveal 115 million people living with high wildfire risk

    Kelly Pohl

    New climate data and methodology enhances Wildfire Risk to Communities, a free online tool for understanding wildfire risks across the United States. Read more

  • Redefining the urban wildfire problem in the West

    Redefining the urban wildfire problem in the West

    Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

    Leading wildfire experts make the case that creating wildfire-resistant communities must become a much higher priority. Read more

  • Measuring trail use in western New Mexico

    Measuring trail use in western New Mexico

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Detailed estimates of trail use show the substantial demand for recreational access in Cibola and McKinley counties, New Mexico. Read more

  • Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

    Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Headwaters Economics has created a free, curated collection of nearly 200 high-quality studies that measure the wide-ranging benefits that trails bring to communities. Read more

  • A rural capacity map

    A rural capacity map

    Patricia Hernandez

    A new map helps identify communities where investments in staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and climate resilience projects. Read more

  • Austin, Texas: Built for Wildfire

    Austin, Texas: Built for Wildfire

    Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D.

    In this ten-minute video produced by Headwaters Economics, learn how leaders in Austin, TX came to realize the magnitude of the wildfire threat, and how they brought together diverse interests to protect their community. Read more

  • The American Community Survey in our data tools

    The American Community Survey in our data tools

    Tara Preston

    Find the latest American Community Survey data in all of our tools, including the Economic Profile System and Neighborhoods at Risk. Read more

  • Prioritizing people in mobile home park buyouts

    Prioritizing people in mobile home park buyouts

    Kris Smith, Ph.D.

    Many mobile home parks face higher flood risk and relocation may be the best option. A review of 12 mobile home park buyout projects illustrates how policy innovation and resident engagement can increase success. Read more

  • Montana Losing Open Space

    Montana Losing Open Space

    Patricia Hernandez

    From 2000 to 2021, the number of single-family homes in Montana grew by more than 42 percent, and the popularity of large lots converted 1 million acres of undeveloped land to housing. Read more

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