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 What Matters
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
Meet Our Expert Partner
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 DIY Guide
Written Step-by-Step Instructions
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 Workshop
Two-Part Virtual Training
Two 90-minute virtual sessions cover the fundamentals of economic impact analysis and how to use the DIY Guide to navigate the process independently. Sessions are interactive and offer opportunities for participants to engage in discussion and explore real-life scenarios.
The Practicum
Hands-On Support to Produce a Report
Workshop participants are invited to apply to participate in the nine-month practicum to receive one-on-one coaching and technical assistance as they deploy data collection techniques, conduct an analysis and create a final report.
