Economic Analysis on Outdoor Recreation
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Earth Economic's latest economic report, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, indicates that Washington State's outdoor economy is booming - the numbers report that outdoor recreation supports over 264,000 jobs and is tied to 6% of the total jobs in the state. That's 64,000 more jobs supported than five years ago, as found in the 2015 edition of the report. Thanks to our partners, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, as well as Recreation Equipment Inc. for providing the funding to update this important report.

Our 2020 update to Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington Statehas been expanded to include new benefits that were not previously valued in 2015, such as climate stability, disaster risk reduction, and soil retention. Every year, communities throughout Washington receive between $216 billion and $264 billion per year in environmental benefits from public outdoor recreation lands. It is clear that the outdoors are an attractive characteristic of living in the PNW - individuals find mental solitude, physical exercise, and many other types of fulfillment on Washington's public lands.

“This study shows that the money people spend recreating benefits our local economies. Washington is known as a premiere destination for outdoor recreation. We should think strongly about continuing to invest in our outdoor assets–to maintain our trails, re-design overcrowded boat launches, repair deteriorated campgrounds and build new places to recreate–as a way to improve our economic future and enhance the beautiful places that we all enjoy.”

— Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office