View a presentation given at the Our America’s Rural Opportunity forum about the context of public lands and the rural west.
New Mexico
Outdoor Recreation and New Mexico’s Economy
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.
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.
Economic Impact of National Parks
This interactive and background materials show visits, spending, and the number of jobs created in gateway communities for every National Park Service unit.
Impact of National Monuments Redesignated National Parks
Investigating the economic effects of National Monuments redesignated National Parks, and the potential impact of converting the White Sands National Monument to a National Park.
Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos County
The economic challenges and opportunities in Taos County stem from being both a bustling mountain resort town, and a rural community facing long-term socioeconomic challenges.
Enchanted Circle Trails: Final Survey Results
In Taos, New Mexico, Hispanic residents and low-income residents are less likely to have used trails during the previous year, but those who have used trails during the previous year use them just as often as other (non-Hispanic) residents. Among low-income residents, those with a park or trail within a 10-minute walk of their house were 50 percent more likely to have used trails during the previous year.
Assessing Wildfire and Populations at Risk
A new tool helps the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico assess wildfire and populations at risk.
Resilient Taos County: Living with Wildfire
This story map provides Taos County residents with information about the ecological role of fire, the region’s wildfire risk, forest restoration projects, and emergency preparedness.
Taos Trails Are Popular But Trail Access Varies
In the Taos, New Mexico area trails are a fundamental part of health and quality of life, but differences in access to trails may limit the benefits for Hispanic and low-income residents.
Wildfire Effects on Hiking and Biking Demand in New Mexico: A Travel Cost Study
This study found that crown wildfires that cross trails are likely to have a dramatic effect on use and individual benefit for hikers and mountain bikers that persists for decades after the fire occurs. Prescribed fires are also shown to decrease benefits and use for both groups, but these declines occur gradually over decades rather than an immediate drop in the year of a wildfire.
Local Governmments in New Mexico Receive Lowest Share of Oil Revenue
This report compares how New Mexico provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote New Mexico Jobs and Higher Incomes
This New Mexico fact sheet summarizes the state’s recent economic growth and the role protected public lands play in supporting faster job creation and higher per-capita income.
The Proposed SunZia Transmission Line: A Guide for Decision Makers
This report analyzes the proposed SunZia transmission line, finding that the project, as currently configured, depends on its ability to export renewable energy from New Mexico to markets in Arizona and California.
Report: New Mexico’s Oil and Natural Gas Industry
This graphical analysis reviews the status of New Mexico’s oil and gas industry including production, drilling activity, and its role in the state’s economy.
New Mexico’s Economy and the Role of Federal Protected Lands
An analysis of New Mexico’s economy and how federal protected lands impact economic performance.
County Level Drilling Activity, 2001-2011
This report focuses on county-level details of drilling rig activity for the period 2001 to 2011 in the six Rocky Mountain oil and gas states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Fossil Fuel Extraction and Western Economies
This study analyzes the fossil fuel economy in five Rocky Mountain states—CO, MT, NM, UT, and WY—and how states and communities can maximize benefits and minimize the costs of energy development.
Clean Energy Leadership in the Rockies: Competitive Positioning in the Emerging Green Economy
The Clean Energy report compares how Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are taking advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities to create green jobs.
Potential Impacts of Energy Development in New Mexico, with a Case Study of Otero County
This report analyzes the economic and fiscal contribution of the oil and natural gas industries in New Mexico along with a case study of proposed energy development on Otero Mesa.