What is the economic impact of America’s public lands and waters? How can we quantify how these remarkable resources contribute to our quality of life? And how are our valuation methods and public policies changing?
People and Public Lands
The Overlooked Importance of Federal Public Land Fiscal Policy
Fiscal policy reforms could substantially increase the economic benefits of public lands for states and local communities.
Getting into the Dirt of Public Lands Policy
Comprehensive benefit cost analyses of public lands policies are needed.
Democracy, Collective Values, and Public Land
A spiritual and cultural treasure and a multi-trillion-dollar asset, public land must be protected.
Rockies Region Natural Resources: The Foundation for Economy and Quality of Life – Then, Now, Tomorrow
Natural resources are still the foundation of the Rockies region economy even as it has shifted from extraction-based activities to recreation and tourism.
Non-Labor Income in the Rural West
Non-labor income can have an outsized effect on communities in the rural West with a large share of public lands.
Public Lands, Place, and Quality of Life
To assess the value of public lands, we must analyze the full array of what matters to people and consider the activities they pursue.
Demographic Dynamics in Public Lands Counties, 1990-2016
Counties with public lands today tend to have larger, more diverse, and slightly older populations.
Shopping for Wolves: Using Nonmarket Valuation to Inform Conservation Decisions
Nonmarket valuation tools have evolved over time and are now relied upon for important policy decisions and litigation.
Valuing Protected Public Lands
As we work to protect wildlands, we must also ensure that amenity-led growth benefits a wide range of people and builds community.
The Evolution of Economic Analysis of Public Land Management
Advances in economic valuation methods have improved public lands management.
The Original Purpose of Federal Lands
Federally managed public lands were originally intended to provide and protect public goods and services while constraining commercial activities.
Community Resilience and the Third West in Transition
In the face of overwhelming transition, local institutions can make a critical difference in rural community resilience.