Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

The Nature Conservancy, Adirondack Park Invasive Species Economic Assessment

Tags: Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis, Natural Resource Based Economic Development, Research, Surveys

Client Name: The Nature Conservancy

Client Type: Non-profit

Year: 2013, 2014

Location: New York

Yellow Wood Associates designed and implemented a study for the Nature Conservancy on the economic impacts of invasive species on a variety of economic sectors in the Adirondack Park. This study provided a preliminary assessment of the present day and potential future economic costs of invasive species and the cost-benefit balance of invasive species prevention and management. Additional goals included developing an approach (eg. methodology, protocols and/or tools) that could be replicated by others and advancing efforts on how economic valuation can be integrated into the work of The Nature Conservancy. The final report combined primary and secondary research into a report for policy makers that captured the economic risks of invasives, current efforts to mitigate invasives and the costs and benefits of those efforts, and provided evidence of economic costs associated with lack of (or ineffective) prevention or mitigation.

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with you. Your team is highly professional. Your approach had the perfect blend of social engagement (through interviews and questionnaires) and qualitative and quantitative components through primary and secondary data collection and assessment. I am very satisfied with the final report, which fully met my expectations." - Hilary Smith, Director, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, The Nature Conservancy – Adirondack Chapter