We have updated our webpage that tracks the size and growth of the outdoor recreation economy in every state with the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Explore charts and interactive graphics that show how much this $1.3 trillion sector contributes to each state’s GDP, job growth, and more.

Last week, Headwaters Economics Executive Director Patty Hernandez moderated the plenary panel at The State of Disaster Recovery in Rural America: A Candid Expert Conversation, a convening hosted by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and Headwaters Economics.

Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise program has been a partner with the City of Glendive since 2021. This great coverage of the West Glendive levee project highlights the potentials and challenges for rural communities as they look to reduce flood risks:

Glendive considers $4.9 million levee bond to reduce flood risk and revive economy
KTVQ-TV (Billings, MT), March 10, 2026

Our CPAW team has been busy working across Colorado, Hawaii and other states refining their approaches to wildfire, but this month they were closer to home. Ryan Handy briefed the Montana Legislature’s Environmental Quality Council on wildfire risks. And just days later, Kimi Barrett shared insights on wildfire and insurance challenges with the Economic Affairs Committee. Smarter wildfire policy is taking shape. 

Everyone on the Headwaters Economics team was able to come together yesterday for our end-of-year celebration. Custom fanny packs (some of us called them “hip packs”) were gifted to all, but the real perk was reviewing all the research, briefings and outcomes for communities we were able to deliver this year. A great team = great results. We are ready to keep it up in 2026!

Curious how your state’s rural and metropolitan areas compare? The Economic Profile System makes it easy. Search for your state, click “add more places” on the map, then choose “metro/rural portion.” You’ll get the latest data for both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan parts of your state. Visit EPS.

Megan is just back from Bend, Oregon where she presented at the High Desert Museum on how outdoor recreation opportunities can bring great benefits to communities, but can also pose great challenges for growth and affordability. It’s a paradox we call the Amenity Trap, and we have ideas about how to solve it.

Ryan, Doug and Kimi are back from meeting with city planning and fire department officials in Santa Fe, NM to discuss how to best protect neighborhoods from wildfire threats. The city is the latest to join our CPAW program that is helping communities across the U.S. reduce wildfire risk and protect homes. 

We have updated our webpage that tracks public land ownership in the United States with the latest available federal data. View interactive maps and charts for all 828 million acres of federal, state, and municipal land in the U.S., including breakdowns by state and county.

Kauaʻi county in Hawaiʻi is taking community wildfire risk reduction seriously, adopting one of the most forward-looking approaches that will embed home hardening and defensible-space standards into local codes. Headwaters Economics is honored to continue this partnership to reduce wildfire risks before a disaster happens.

Watch Ryan Handy from our Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program discuss how our recent analysis of the wildfires risk facing thousands of historic buildings in the U.S. came together.

Watch how Custer, SD is making plans to better handle the next flood, with help from Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance program.