Programs
DIY Economic Impact
Outdoor Recreation Adds to Your Community
Wisconsin’s $12 billion outdoor industry is a significant economic driver for the state. Understanding the local economic impact of outdoor recreation is essential, as impact data can inform strategy, shape future development and even help to secure funding. While communities can see and feel the benefits of outdoor recreation, it can be challenging and costly to quantify these impacts. The Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Program, developed in partnership with The Harbinger Consultancy, removes those barriers by providing the knowledge, tools and support to conduct an economic analysis and produce a report.
Measure The Impact
Winter Recreation
Ready to measure the impact of your winter trails, parks or other outdoor recreation assets? Apply to be part of our first-ever winter cohort of the DIY Economic Impact Program. For details, watch the recorded information session. Applications are due September 21.
Measure What Matters
DIY Program Overview
The Office’s innovative program and resources let you choose the pace and depth at which to explore the process of collecting and analyzing visitor data to calculate economic impact.
The Guide
This step-by-step framework includes examples and resources that detail the process of collecting data, calculating impact and telling the story. This free resource is available to download and review at your own pace.
The Workshops
Walk through the types of data needed to estimate economic impacts, the basics of surveying users and how to use the DIY Guide to conduct an economic impact analysis independently.
The Practicum
With one-on-one coaching and technical assistance over a nine-month period, community teams execute the process of conducting an economic impact analysis and produce a final report.
The Toolkit
Includes practical resources like survey templates, data collection tools and planning worksheets, while the Calculations Workbook helps you organize your data and do the math to calculate your economic impact.
Outdoor Recreation's Local Impacts
WinMan Trails: A Year-Round Destination Trail System Contributing to the Local Economy
Oconto County: Where Water Meets Wilderness — The Economic Value of a Loyal Visitor Base
Peninsula State Park: The Economic Impact of New Mountain Bike Trails
Heart of Vilas Trail System: Fueling Five Connected Communities
Three Eagle Trail: The Economic Significance of a Community Connector
Olbrich Botanical Gardens: A Blooming Economic Force in Madison
Eau Claire: The Economic Significance of the City’s Paved Trails and Public Art
Dodge County: Visitor Spending at Outdoor Spaces Supports Local Businesses
The Harbinger Consultancy
