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The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state. Read more
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Amenity communities face unique challenges from waves of tourists and new residents. Proactive planning can help avoid being loved to death. Read more
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Economic methods and data can engage diverse audiences and tell new stories to help cities make a case for climate adaptation. Read more
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Funding for Montana’s working lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is not keeping pace as population, visitation, and development pressures expand. Read more
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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. Read more
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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. Read more
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Seven case studies illustrate best practices and lessons learned to develop programs for outdoor state recreation funding. Read more
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This research and interactive charts show that the local economies adjacent to all 17 national monuments studied in the West expanded following the monument’s creation. Read more
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Non-labor income sources such as investments, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid often are the largest and fastest growing sources of personal income for many counties. Rural counties especially are surprisingly dependent on non-labor income. Read more
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Recent trends in manufacturing and what they mean for the people and communities of the American West, with insights for rural areas in particular. Read more
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The West is rich in renewable energy opportunities, but research demonstrates that property tax revenues from this development vary widely across 17 rural study counties due to state tax policies. Read more
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This study provides a number of lessons as the West slowly recovers from the recent recession about why some local economies performed better than others. Read more
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This report summarizes Colorado’s economy and the role of federal protected lands, including how the state has performed, and Colorado’s ability to attract people, investment, and businesses. Read more
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An analysis of New Mexico’s economy and how federal protected lands impact economic performance. Read more
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This paper presents ten examples of cities and counties around the country and the key lessons learned in the process of moving from planning to implementation on climate change adaptation. Read more
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Report on the economy of the Olympics Peninsula and impact of the Wild Olympics proposal. Read more
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A report on socioeconomic conditions of Missoula County as part of public process of developing a climate change adaptation plan. Read more
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This report summarizes interviews with local government and business leaders on obstacles to and opportunities for local economic recovery in Carey, Idaho from the last recession. Read more
