![](https://headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cowboy-State-Daily-logo-copy-450x85.webp)
With stunning vistas and outdoor recreation opportunities within driving distance of every community in Wyoming, the Cowboy State is the fourth-fastest growing outdoor economy in the nation, with over $2 billion generated in 2023.
Dr. Megan Lawson uses economic and statistical analysis to better understand the issues that communities face such as the economic potential and impacts of housing and land use policies, outdoor recreation, economic diversification, and public land management.
Megan is nationally known for her expertise in measuring the economic and community impacts of outdoor recreation and the potential of recreation activities to support local jobs and income. She leads collaborative projects across the United States pioneering new methods for estimating where and when people are recreating on public lands. Her innovative approach to measuring trail use is improving the ability of land managers to meet the increasing demand for healthy, outdoor recreation opportunities.
Equal parts scientist and communicator, Megan uses data to conduct actionable research that illuminates solutions. She applies analytical skills to land use, natural resource, and public health topics, with an emphasis on the unique needs and opportunities for rural communities. In every project, Megan builds trust through good listening and observational skills and her commitment to understanding communities’ needs and priorities.
A sought-after speaker, Megan talks about her research and economic concepts with a range of audiences, frequently speaking to community leaders, collaborative groups, land management agencies, and business groups. She is regularly quoted by major media outlets and has been interviewed multiple times on public radio, including on NPR’s Marketplace and All Things Considered. She was awarded a Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science in 2016. Megan elevates Headwaters Economics’ work through her exceptional objectivity, her commitment to seeing issues from all sides, and her ability to cut through noise. Her degrees in economics and biology, with an emphasis on environmental, public, and urban economics, provide the foundation for her interdisciplinary approach. Megan has contributed to many of Headwaters Economics’ foundational research projects on topics ranging from land use conversion to migration trends.
Detailed estimates of trail use show the substantial demand for recreational access in Cibola and McKinley counties, New Mexico.
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.
The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state.
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.
Better data is needed to measure recreational use on public lands. New, accurate methods are being pioneered in Montana’s Bridger Mountains.
Lessons from communities dependent on natural resource extraction that have successfully diversified their economies with outdoor recreation.
Amenity communities face unique challenges from waves of tourists and new residents. Proactive planning can help avoid being loved to death.
Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Great American Rail-Trail® will attract 25.6 million trips and generate more than $229.4 million in spending.
Detailed estimates of summer trail use help show the impacts of growing recreational use and highlight infrastructure needs in southwest Montana.
Unaffordable housing came to a head during the pandemic as communities across the country saw unprecedented rises in housing costs.
The unprecedented rise in housing prices since 2020 has affected renters more than homeowners—especially in places that were already unaffordable.
The outdoor recreation economy is strong, diverse, and growing, helping communities thrive.
Recent studies find that national monument designations do not negatively impact local economic performance, and in many cases strengthen local economies.
New data sources can change the way we count outdoor recreation, allowing trail managers to better advocate for improvements and plan for growing demand.
Nearly half of rural communities have grown so much since the 1970s they are now classified as “urban.” Those that remain are diverse, but often have more specialized economies.
The outdoor recreation economy contributes $7.8 billion, or 2.4% to Wisconsin’s GDP and generates more than 93,000 jobs across diverse sectors.
The Merced River Trail in Mariposa County, California will create benefits for the economy and businesses, quality of life, and public health.
Recreation dependence, population growth from new residents, and income inequality are strongly associated with less affordable housing in non-metro counties.
Nearly one in five U.S. counties has a higher-than-average share of seniors and no hospital beds.
Outdoor recreation is a way of life and economic powerhouse for New Mexico. New Mexico residents enjoy outdoor recreation on more than 35 million acres of public lands and the outdoor recreation economy directly supports $1.2 billion in income and 33,500 jobs.
Due to new methods and pandemic disruption, the 2020 American Community Survey shows some decrease in accuracy for equity-related measures.
At least 1.2 million wood roofs are in areas with wildfire risk. Funding is needed to help communities prepare for wildfire.