The Economic Importance of Wildlife in Alaska in 2011
Alaska is famous for its wildlife and we have long known that wildlife is important to Alaskans and to people who visit. But quantifying wildlife’s economic importance in our vast state—including direct and indirect spending, jobs, and associated economic activity—is not a trivial task. In 2012, ADF&G contracted with ECONorthwest to provide these data and you will find links to the study’s findings below.
This study demonstrated what most people instinctively know: Alaska’s wildlife is important to Alaskans and visitors alike. Surveys, including those conducted in the research reported here, consistently show that wildlife contributes significantly to residents’ quality of life and is one of the main reasons people visit Alaska. Because it is important to them, people spend money to hunt, view, and experience wildlife. In 2011, they spent over $3.4 billion in Alaska to hunt and view wildlife here plus additional dollars out-of-state on gear and other goods supporting those activities.
By improving the quality of life, wildlife also attracts talented workers. The increase in workforce and in households’ spending attracts businesses to the state and creates jobs and income for other workers. Through its contribution to Alaskans’ quality of life, wildlife shapes the industrial composition of Alaska’s economy and the geographical pattern of development.
- Summary Report (PDF 1,204 kB)
- Presentation to the Alaska Board of Game, March 2014 (PDF 316 kB)
- Final Report, May 2014 (PDF 1,130 kB)
- Appendix A: Methodology (PDF 2,179 kB)
- Appendix B: Bibliography (PDF 2,088 kB)
- Appendix C: Key Informants (PDF 283 kB)
- Appendix D: Survey Instruments (PDF 3,864 kB)
- Appendix E: Tabular Survey Results (PDF 1,711 kB)
- Appendix F: Data Cleaning Summary (PDF 286 kB)
- Appendix G: Preliminary Significance Testing Results (PDF 854 kB)
- Appendix H: Final Significance Testing Results (PDF 723 kB)
- Appendix I: Total Expenditures (PDF 700 kB)
- Appendix J: IMPLAN Results (PDF 368 kB)
- Appendix K: Contingent Valuation Results (PDF 271 kB)
- Appendix L: Detailed Participation Results (PDF 663 kB)
- Appendix M: Survey Comments (PDF 4,671 kB)