Megan Lawson

Dec 11, 2024 | headwaterseconomics.org | Megan Lawson

Trails that offer access to mountains, mesas, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities are increasingly seen as important assets to the economy and quality of life for many communities. Yet land managers and policy makers who want to leverage the broad benefits of trail networks often struggle to find accurate data about trail usage, visitor demographics, and the resulting contributions to the local economy.

Nov 26, 2024 | headwaterseconomics.org | Megan Lawson

Communities with outdoor recreation economies are rich in natural assets such as mountains and rivers, but their proximity to these resources also puts them on the front lines of natural hazards such as wildfire and flooding. Outdoor recreation communities often experience disproportionate economic and social impacts from disasters because of their reliance on natural assets. Damage to infrastructure such as roads or water systems can keep away the visitors that keep local businesses operating.

Nov 21, 2024 | headwaterseconomics.org | Megan Lawson

Towns across the United States that are popular with tourists, like Bend, Oregon, are experiencing the amenity trap. The very qualities that make Bend a popular tourist destination—natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation—have also led to rapid growth and accompanying challenges like skyrocketing housing costs, traffic congestion and an overall concern that the local quality of life is eroding.

Apr 30, 2024 | headwaterseconomics.org | Megan Lawson |Tara Preston

Trail use in the mountains and plateaus of Cibola and McKinley counties, New Mexico has been increasing in recent years, but trail managers lack data about where hiking, biking, and horseback riding occurs. Using a combination of infrared trail counters and statistical analyses, Headwaters Economics modeled trail use in the region and found more than 83,000 visits to 160 miles of trails between March and August of 2023, equivalent to 4 in 5 residents using these trails in a six-month period.

Apr 18, 2024 | headwaterseconomics.org | Megan Lawson

Trail access can play a significant role in quality of life and economic well-being. In fact, a growing number of studies are examining the many ways that trail projects yield community benefits that extend well beyond individual trail users. To support more investments in trails and pathways, Headwaters Economics has created a free, curated collection of nearly 200 high-quality studies that measure the wide-ranging benefits that trails bring to communities.