The Economic Value of Nature in New Hampshire

Leaders across New Hampshire are working together to better understand and strengthen the state’s outdoor economy. Through the Granite Outdoor Alliance, business leaders, manufacturers, conservation professionals and policymakers are exploring how natural assets support economic growth and community vitality.

That work also underscores a critical reality: the outdoor economy depends on healthy, accessible landscapes. Conserved forests, clean rivers and well-managed lands are what make outdoor recreation, tourism and related businesses possible in the first place.

The results of a series of statewide conversations, the Granite Outdoor Alliance's Grounded in Growth report highlights both the strength of this sector and the need for continued investment in workforce development, infrastructure and access alongside ongoing investment in conservation to sustain the natural systems that power New Hampshire’s outdoor economy.

Along New Hampshire’s coast, oyster restoration is improving water quality, rebuilding habitat and supporting local economies at the same time.

We work with oyster farmers and partners to restore reefs that help protect shorelines, filter water, provide wildlife habitat and strengthen coastal ecosystems. These efforts also support aquaculture businesses and the communities that depend on them, demonstrating how conservation and economic activity can go hand-in-hand.

Investments in healthy coastal systems also help communities avoid costly infrastructure solutions. For example, protecting natural water systems can significantly reduce the need for expensive treatment and mitigation, lowering long-term costs while supporting local economies.

Investments in natural systems, such as floodplains, wetlands and watersheds, help reduce risk from storms and flooding while supporting healthier ecosystems and communities. These nature-based solutions protect infrastructure, improve water quality and reduce long-term costs, making them an essential part of how New Hampshire prepares for a changing climate.

Flooding is a costly natural hazard in New Hampshire, with millions of dollars in damages over time. Natural systems like wetlands and floodplains play a critical role in storing and slowing floodwaters, helping to reduce impacts and protect communities.

Beyond flood protection, healthy rivers and intact watersheds also help filter drinking water, support wildlife habitat and sustain the ecosystems that communities depend on every day. Investing in these natural systems strengthens resilience across New Hampshire, reducing risk, avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades and supporting long-term economic stability.

At its core, land conservation is about protecting nature. Forests, wetlands and open spaces provide essential habitat for wildlife and support the ecosystems that make New Hampshire unique. These places matter simply because they exist and because they sustain life.

They also make a real difference in people’s lives. Protected lands offer space to get outside, support recreation and tourism and help maintain the character of our communities.

These landscapes provide everyday benefits too. They help filter drinking water, reduce pollution and support healthy ecosystems that communities rely on. Protecting these systems helps sustain public health, local economies and long-term community well-being.

Conservation also helps guide how communities grow. Protecting key areas can steer development away from higher-risk places, reduce pressure on infrastructure and preserve the natural features that make towns attractive places to live and work.

The benefits of conserving land and water are visible across New Hampshire, but they are also measurable. Research shows that investments in nature support jobs, strengthen communities and reduce long-term costs.

Nationally, conservation delivers strong returns, generating an average of $4 in economic benefits for every $1 invested. In New Hampshire, some conservation investments have been shown to deliver even greater value—up to $11 returned for every $1 invested through benefits like clean drinking water, outdoor recreation and habitat protection.

These benefits extend across the state’s economy. Outdoor recreation alone contributes $3.86 billion annually and supports more than 31,000 jobs, demonstrating how closely New Hampshire’s economic success is tied to healthy lands and waters.

Across the country, a growing body of research is helping to better understand the full value of nature. Nature’s Dividends, a report from The Nature Conservancy, brings together findings from hundreds of studies to show how investments in land and water support economies, improve public health and reduce risks from disasters.

The report makes a clear case that conserving nature is not only important for ecosystems and wildlife, but also for people and communities. On average, every $1 invested in conservation returns about $4 in economic benefits, while also delivering outcomes that are harder to measure but just as important, like cleaner air and water, safer communities and stronger connections to the natural world.

For New Hampshire, these findings help put local work into a broader context. They show that the benefits seen across the state are part of a much larger story about how nature supports communities and economies at every scale.