Tourism, Outdoor Recreation & Nature Economy

Four people posing behind a statue of a black bear
UNH Extension Goes (Almost) Undercover as Tourists in West Virginia
Curious how rural communities build thriving tourism and recreation economies? A multi-state research collaboration, including UNH Extension and partn... Learn More
Three young people with backpacks stand on a mountain top over looking Lake Winnipesaukee
Connecting the Dots
UNH researchers team up with communities to improve regional trail networks
To address issues and facilitate collaborative solutions, UNH faculty, graduate students, Extension staff and external partners joined forces in 2023 ... Learn More
View of Lake Sunapee on a sunny day
Workshop Presentations: Landscaping for Water Quality 2024
On April 30 and May 2, 2024, landscaping professionals, watershed organization members, and community leaders responsible for managing land and water ... Learn More
People sitting around a large round table talking
Collaborative Learning for Trail and Outdoor Recreation Organizations
Every year in New Hampshire, a wide variety of trail and recreation groups across the state are working hard to build, maintain, and improve recreatio... Learn More
An audience of people watching a presentation
What do Planning and Zoning Boards Do?
OPD has the Answer.
Wading through the regulatory framework of what communities can and cannot do, and staying on top of recent trends and growth pressures can seem daunt... Learn More
Downtowns & Trails program presentation overview cover page
Community Showcase Highlights Downtowns & Trails Program in Hopkinton-Contoocook, NH
Community and Economic Development staff presented the Hopkinton-Contoocook Downtowns and Trail program report and findings at a community showcase he... Learn More
A close up of a variety of nuts and bolts in a tray
The Nuts & Bolts of Community Needs Assessment
Pros and Cons of Assessement Methods
A community needs assessment is an essential process for understanding the opinions, assumptions, needs, key issues, and assets within a defined commu... Learn More
Instructor and intern at a table saw in a woodworking shop
Finding the Next Generation of Preservation Tradespeople
During a weekend in mid-March, over 2,000 people flowed into the Thomas F. Sullivan Ice Arena at St. Anselm College in Goffstown. This wasn’t a hockey... Learn More
Ethan O'Leary viewing a trail map on a Keene Paths trail kiosk
Rolling toward a vibrant economy and career relevant skills
Mountain biking economic analysis supports community decision making and engages students
Mountain biking is an increasingly popular outdoor recreation activity in New Hampshire and beyond. Communities recognize mountain biking's economic o... Learn More
droplet of water making ripples in water-covered bed of small pebbles
Measuring Community Impact on a Shoestring
Practical Strategies for Community Organizations with Limited Evaluation Resources
Many community-serving organizations struggle to capture the impacts of their work. Reasons include the lack of a formal system or structure by which ... Learn More