Economic impacts of using working lands and prairie preserves for habitat protection: An example from Thurston County, Washington

Abstract

This study investigates the economic impacts of agricultural Working Lands Easements (WLE) and New Reserves (NR) in a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and provides an example based in Thurston County, Washington. We analyzed the effect of varying levels of WLE inclusion in the County HCP, focusing on direct economic impacts, restoration costs, livestock production costs, tax revenue, and employment multipliers. The baseline assumption was that all funding for NR sectors would be locally sourced, displacing other local spending. Results show that scenarios with higher agricultural WLE inclusion generated significantly greater economic impacts, including higher direct economic impacts, tax revenue, and job creation, as compared to scenarios with minimal or no WLE involvement. When external funding for NR sectors was introduced at 15% and 25% levels, the economic impact of these sectors increased, suggesting the importance of securing non-local funding to enhance conservation efforts without adversely affecting the local economy. The study highlights the potential synergies of mandated habitat conservation and rural economic development, emphasizing the need for aspirational policy interventions that deliver economic benefits while achieving conservation goals. These findings provide insights for policymakers designing habitat conservation strategies that support both farm-based economic opportunity and environmental stewardship.