Economic values of wilderness recreation and passive use: what we think we know at the beginning of the 21st century

Abstract

Two techniques are used to estimate the economic value of recreation and off-site passive use values of wilderness. Using an average value per recreation day ($39), the economic value of wilderness recreation is estimated to be $574 million annually. Generalizing the two Western passive use values studies we estimate values of Western wilderness in the lower 48 states to be $168 per acre, for a total value of $7 billion for the 42.7 million acres. Using the one study of Eastern wilderness we estimate a value of $103 per acre, for a total value of the 4.5 million acres to be $468 million.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Loomis, John B. 2000. Economic values of wilderness recreation and passive use: what we think we know at the beginning of the 21st century. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 5-13