Environment
A regional economy is endowed with natural resources—forests, grasslands, mountains, lakes, rivers, clean air, and more.
Communities are charged with managing them to promote human and ecological well-being. Decisions about how to preserve, restore, or use the resources involve inevitable, and often complex, tradeoffs. ECOnorthwest combines rigorous economic analysis with an empirical understanding of human nature to clarify these choices and help communities grow and protect the value of their natural endowments.
Explore Focus Areas
- placeholder
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
- Impacts of Climate Investments
- Wildfire Resilient Communities
- Ecosystem Services
- Habitat Conservation
- Outdoor Recreation
- Water and Forests Resource Management
- Water Quality and Stormwater Investments
Select an option to view.
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
To address climate issues, communities need ways to both adapt to changing conditions and mitigate harm. They need to adjust economies, behaviors, and supply chains to address impacts of climate change. They also need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere in order to slow or reverse the climate trend.
ECOnorthwest combines economics, data analytics, and public policy to inform adaptive and mitigating approaches that prepare communities for environmental shifts. You’ll get the guidance you need to implement realistic strategies that help foster resilience and sustainability.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Economic Impact Analysis
Case Studies, Best Practices Research, and Literature Reviews
Program and Policy Evaluation
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Impacts of Climate Investments
Climate investments offer huge potential—they can generate gains through a combination of avoided costs and future benefits. ECOnorthwest helps identify the economic benefits of policies and investments that seek to reduce risks linked to climate change.
Our independent research informs plans and policies that connect public and private decisions with investments. We’ll give you the insights you need to create more resilient outcomes both today and in the future.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Real Estate and Market Analysis
Economic Impact Analysis
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Fiscal Analysis and Revenue Forecasting
Wildfire Resilient Communities
As the climate warms and weather patterns become less predictable, the threat of major wildfires near populated areas increases. ECOnorthwest's urban planning, policy, and ecology expertise helps communities create comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans for long-term safety and sustainability.
As a firm founded in the northwest, we've seen first-hand how wildfires erode community roots and take devastating financial tolls. Our experts will work with you to develop wildfire resilience strategies that look at the full picture of policy impacts, intended and unintended, and explore the intersections among people, place, and nature.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Economic Impact Analysis
Fiscal Analysis and Revenue Forecasting
Real Estate and Market Analysis
Ecosystem Services
People value the benefits of ecosystems—clean water and air, timber and energy, fresh food, and natural environments used for recreational and cultural purposes. Maintaining these benefits, however, requires financial investments.
ECOnorthwest conducts in-depth analysis of ecosystems, natural resources, and recreation valuations to help public and private clients invest wisely. We are experts on the tools and federal guidance to quantify returns on investments in natural resources.
Our commitment to independent research and rigorous analytics mean our findings withstand legal scrutiny. We’ll give you the guidance you need to decide how to optimize natural resources in ways that foster vibrant communities.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Spatial Analytics
Case Studies, Best Practices Research, and Literature Reviews
Habitat Conservation
Finding opportunities to balance habitat conservation and development means identifying the right efficiencies, trade-offs, and benefits. ECOnorthwest combines economics, policy, and science to inform resource use and management strategies.
Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, our cross-disciplinary team has a unique perspective on the impact of potential solutions on habitat. You'll get the insights you need to protect and improve critical habitat while allowing for economic activity and development.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Real Estate and Market Analysis
Economic Impact Analysis
Spatial Analytics
Outdoor Recreation
ECOnorthwest evaluates economic impacts and contributions for all natural resource uses. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, our interdisciplinary team has a unique perspective on the recreational and cultural development of public lands and waterways.
You’ll get the guidance you need to balance potentially competing uses for natural resources and make decisions that have a positive impact on communities.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Case Studies, Best Practices Research, and Literature Reviews
Economic Impact Analysis
Spatial Analytics
Water and Forests Resource Management
Managing our waters and forests sustainably requires thoughtful and integrated solutions. ECOnorthwest combines economics, policy, and spatial analysis with other technical expertise to make sustainable resource management recommendations.
Our team of experts explores a wide range of factors to reach relevant and effective conclusions. You’ll get the actionable insights you need to manage resources now, and support your communities, economies, and ecosystems over the long term.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Economic Impact Analysis
Survey Design, Data Collection, and Analysis
Program and Policy Evaluation
Water Quality and Stormwater Investments
ECOnorthwest uses a cross-disciplinary approach to develop efficient, effective strategies to protect water quality. Our economists, ecologists, and planners use quantitative and qualitative data to uncover insights to help you prepare for the unexpected. You’ll get the guidance you need to implement solutions that keep your community healthy and safe.
Selected Projects
Common Tools and Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Case Studies, Best Practices Research, and Literature Reviews
Fiscal Analysis and Revenue Forecasting
Our Experts
ECO’s Environment team of economists, planners, ecologists, spatial analysts, and project managers oversees our oldest portfolio of projects. These experts have helped hundreds of clients as they innovate for a better world.
