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Latest Posts tagged with "economic benefits"

Dinosaur National Monument to bring more jobs, money to Colorado, Utah

September 30, 2011 By Soren Jespersen

Secretary Salazar speaks in Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado

Credit: Sasha Nelson

Communities near northwest Colorado’s Dinosaur National Monument are expected to experience a surge in jobs and economic growth in the near future thanks to the reopening of a long-awaited visitor center and exhibit hall that will give visitors an up-close look at the monument’s world-renowned dinosaur bones. Region:  Central Rockies Read more

Locals examine how protecting Otero Mesa could mean money for New Mexico

October 1, 2010 By Juli Slivka

Rock art in Otero Mesa, New Mexico. Photo by Juli Slivka.

On a busy Saturday in the small southern New Mexico town of Alamogordo, nearly 100 residents gathered at a public forum hosted by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. The topic of conversation was about how permanent protection for the nearby desert grassland Otero Mesa could render economic benefits to nearby counties. The community discussion was a great opportunity for many of us to learn more about the benefits to local communities that comes from activities like hunting, birding, and hiking. Read more

Wilderness is good for New Mexico’s Economy

September 7, 2010 By Emily Diamond-Falk

Sabinoso Wilderness. Photo Courtesy of New Mexico Wilderness Alliance.

We’ve said it once, and now we will say it again: Wilderness is good for our economy. And many more agree: A recent report from Audubon New Mexico and Headwaters Economics, “The Economic Benefits of Southern New Mexico’s Natural Assets,” finds that protecting and restoring our natural assets will benefit jobs and quality of life. Read more

Take care when underestimating the value of forests

January 13, 2010 By Joe Kerkvliet, Ph.D.

A bobcat creeps through Montana forest land. Photo by Perry Conway Corbis.

A troubling recent report from the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) claims that private forestland contributes more to state economies than public land. NAFO draws this conclusion by ignoring most of the diverse economic values derived from public forestland. For Montana, the NAFO report claims that each acre of private forestland adds $570 to annual gross domestic product compared to $190 for a public acre. The NAFO claim should be troubling to Montanans because of the high profile Montana Legacy Project. Read more