Parks, Refuges, and Wilderness
Local, state, and national protected lands hold crucial ecological and recreational wealth. RFF experts are assessing the value of public and private lands to help policymakers craft effective funding models and account for trade-offs when considering changes to existing landscapes.
Experts
Find experts on Parks, Refuges, and Wilderness topics.
Resources Radio: People, Parks, and Policy, with Margaret Walls
Host Kristin Hayes talks with RFF Senior Fellow Margaret Walls about her work on the economics of national parks and other public lands, including ...
The Outdoor Recreation Economy and Public Lands
New numbers show outdoor recreation contributing to the US economy, but public lands that support that recreation face issues that need to be addre...
Latest Publications
Report
Nature-Based Recreation: Understanding Campsite Reservations in National Parks
The government’s reservation system for activities on federal lands, Recreation.gov, is a rich source of data that can help shed light on managing the growing number of visitors to national parks.
Working Paper
In Search of Urban Recreational Ecosystem Services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Journal Article
Threatened Protection: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Protected Lands of the Eastern United States
This article examines US coastal protected lands and the potential consequences and associated reductions in ecosystem services from sea level rise in the context of current funding and adaptation planning for conservation.