Nature Lab

Nature’s Monetary Ripples

Nature-related activities add to the economy

While the biggest reasons to value nature are not monetary, “all the activities that people do outdoors, the products they buy to use outdoors, contribute to Missouri’s economy,” says MDC Natural Resource Economist Tom Treiman. 

Fishing poles, hiking boots, binoculars, rifles, boats, and other gear, along with outdoor-trip expenses like gas, food, and lodging, put money into local businesses and help support jobs. The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (see below) estimated that Americans spent $394.8 billion on wildlife-related recreation that year, and of that, $8.9 billion was spent in Missouri. 

Treiman used this survey data, along with data that MDC collects (information on forest products and hunting and fishing permits) and data from agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to estimate the total contribution that forestry, hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related activities make to the state’s economy. 

All this data was put into an “input-output model,” Treiman said. “The model estimates the total amount that people and companies spend directly on these activities. The model then estimates how much additional economic activity that spending creates.” 

The results — revised to reflect 2023 costs — show that forestry and wildlife-related activities contribute about $20.2 billion to the state’s economy and more than 136,000 jobs.* 

“This kind of information can help organizations — agencies like MDC — make better decisions,” Treiman explained. 

MDC is entrusted with managing the state’s fish, forests, and wildlife, and with providing opportunities for people to connect with nature and engage in outdoor pursuits. Each year the department must decide which projects to carry out on behalf of Missourians. “Should we undertake a project here or a project there? Should we focus on forest resources in the south or chronic wasting disease all over the state? Dollar signs aren’t the only things that matter when we’re making decisions like these,” Treiman said, “but we would like to make the most efficient use.”

*These figures do not include MDC employment or spending. See Page 11 for details about MDC’s annual budget.

At a Glance

• National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation: 2022 Missouri Results
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinates the survey, which asks a representative sample of people across the nation about their outdoor activities and their spending on outdoor activities. In addition to the standard questions, the survey asked Missourians state-specific questions. The survey is conducted on a five-year cycle, with 2022 being the most recent.
• 2.9 million Missouri residents participated in wildlife-related activities in 2022.
• $8.9 billion was spent in Missouri on wildlife-associated recreation by Missouri residents and nonresidents.
• Wildlife watchers: $4.2 billion
• Anglers: $2.9 billion
• Hunters: $1.8 billion 
• Equipment: $4.4 billion 
• Trip related costs: $1.2 billion 
• Other costs: $3.3 billion