Winnebago System Economic Study

Identifying the economic value of natural resources is often a difficult endeavor.  Techniques that work well to determine the economic value of a new business, airport, or university often fall short when dealing with our natural resources.  Natural resources provide “value” on many levels.  Besides supporting an economic impact due to spending associated with enjoying natural resources (hunting, fishing, bird-watching, canoeing, hiking, etc.), services are provided by natural resources.  For example, wetlands provide flood storage, filter runoff, provide fish and wildlife habitat, etc.  Without wetlands, we would have to provide these services some other way, which may be at a cost to society.  It is important to determine the economic value for our natural resources since many decisions that we make may have an impact (positive or negative) on those resources and that value.  The impact to the natural resources should be given consideration in the decision-making process. 

Below you will find links to local projects that have placed economic values on various aspects of our natural resources.

The Economic Impact of Angling on the Lake Winnebago System

Other Lake Winnebago System Economic Studies

Other Natural Resource Economic Studies