Non-labor income can have an outsized effect on communities in the rural West with a large share of public lands.
Research
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.
Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library
Updated: Headwaters Economics compiled 144 trails research studies on the impacts of trails in a single library, searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region.
National Forest Gross Receipts from Commercial Activities, FY 1986-2017
Explore and Download National Forest Gross Receipts Statistics
National Forest Timber Sales and Timber Cuts, FY 1980-2018
Explore and Download National Forest Cut & Sold Report Statistics
Commercial Activities on National Forests
Updated: Headwaters Economics produced two interactive maps to show the range of commercial activities on National Forests at the Forest, state and forest region levels.
High County GDP No Guarantee of Growth
High worker productivity occurs across diverse counties and sectors but is not always connected with population growth and opportunity.
Redesignating Bandelier National Monument as a National Park
Study on the economic impacts of redesignating Bandelier National Monument as a National Park with case studies of other Monuments converted to National Parks.
Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes
Recreation counties, especially in non-metro places, draw new residents and have higher incomes and faster earnings growth than places without recreation.
Trails Toolkit: Helping Communities Invest Wisely
Communities and local leaders can utilize this trails toolkit to better understand whether and how trails can accomplish local goals, along with the cost and benefits of proposed projects.
Communities utilize land use planning to reduce wildfire risks and costs
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) is helping communities reduce wildfire risks and costs. Four new communities join 26 others this coming year.
Bureau of Land Management Socioeconomic Profiles
Download socioeconomic reports for states and counties near Bureau of Land Management units.
Neighborhoods at Risk
Integrate socioeconomic and climate data to map neighborhoods at risk in selected cities.
Building a Wildfire-Resistant Home: Codes and Costs
A new home built to wildfire-resistant codes can be constructed for roughly the same cost as a typical home.