Using Economics to Inform National Park Management Decisions: A Case Study on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mathews LG, Kask S, Rotegard L, Stewart S. 2006. Using Economics to Inform National Park Management Decisions: A Case Study on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Abstract: National park managers know that economics plays a unique role in their management plans. As a result, it is logical to use the tools of economics in order to improve management decisions. However, because many national park visitors do not purchase their visit in typical markets, it is not always easy to represent visitors’ preferences in an economic framework. One way to do this is to use nonmarket valuation surveys to estimate the values of visitor preferences that may not be captured in entrance fees or other expenditures in national parks. The Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Experience Project was designed to use the applied economic tools of contingent valuation and choice modeling in order to inform Blue Ridge Parkway management decisions. A general discussion of how nonmarket valuation data can be used to fruitfully inform park management decisions will be presented; specific details of the Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Experience Project case will be used as examples of these principles.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Mathews, Leah; Kask, Susan; Rotegard, Laura; Stewart, Steven
- Date of Issue
- 2006-04-13
- Units
- BLRI , GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, BLRI, Blue Ridge Parkway, Economics, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Nonmarket Valuation, SER, Southeast Region