Economic Report
Valuing the Economic Benefits of Conserved Land in Downeast Maine
In an effort to better understand the value of conservation land in the region, the Downeast Conservation Network (DCN) contacted researchers at the University of Maine to initiate a project that would more comprehensively assess the economic contributions of these lands to the surrounding communities. To our knowledge, this is the first such economic valuation of conserved lands conducted specifically for the Downeast Maine region.
The primary goal of this study was to map and value conservation lands in Downeast Maine (Hancock and Washington counties) by applying established, replicable methodology. The technical report included GIS mapping of the study area of:
- land use and land cover
- conserved lands
- key socio-demographic variables.
The report also includes economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by these conserved lands: benefit transfer valuation of non-market ecosystem services, direct valuation of market-based ecosystem services, and calculations of visitor spending effects and employment contributions to the local economy.
Valuing the Economic Benefits of Conservation Land in Downeast Maine
Full Technical Economic Report (54 Pages)
Executive Summary (4 pages)