Natural resources, recreation & the economy

Minnesota's natural resource dependent industries and their importance to Minnesota's economy

Industry Contribution to gross state product* (2000) Percent of gross state product
Forest products 4,386,000,000 2.4%
Minerals & mining $2,218,000,000 1.2%
Outdoor recreation $4,250,000,00o 2.3%
Total $10,854,000,000 5.9%

*Gross State Product (GSP) can be thought of as the state's total income or total value added. GSP is made up of employee compensation, proprietor's income, indirect business taxes, and capital charges.

Source: Lines 1 & 2: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis; Line 3 Van Pelt and Kelly. 1988. Significance of Outdoor Recreation Expenditures to the State and Regional Economies in Minnesota. DNR, Office of Planning.


What's the portion of Minnesotans over 15 years of age who use the out-of-doors in a given year?

In a given year:

29% of Minnesotans fish.
14% of Minnesotans hunt.
30% of Minnesotans visit a Minnesota state park.
41% of Minnesotans boat, including fishing from a boat.
33% of Minnesotans boat, excluding fishing from a boat.
52% of Minnesotan watch wildlife within a mile of home.
13% of Minnesotans go over a mile from home to watch wildlife.

Sources:

  • 2004 Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey
  • 2003 data from DNR licensing system
  • 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation
  • 1988 state park survey

Spending related to Minnesota's major outdoor recreation activities

Activity spending is related to Spending
Fishing related* $1,461,000,000
Hunting related* $664,000,000
Wildlife watching related $531,000,000
State parks and trails related (trip spending only) $187,000,000

*Unspecified hunting and fishing equipment expenditures were apportioned to these specific categories on the basis of specified equipment spending.

Source: Lines 1 - 3: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. U.S. Dept. of Interior, FWS and U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau. Line 4 Based on data presented in: Contributions of the Minnesota State Park System to State and Regional Economies, 2002; and MN DNR, State Trail Use, 2000.


Estimated jobs related to Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy

Activity jobs are related to Jobs
Fishing 28,400
Hunting 12,400
Wildlife watching 12,700
State parks and trails (jobs related to trip spending only) 3,500

Source: Lines 1 - 3: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. U.S. Dept. of Interior, FWS and U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau. Line 4 Based on data presented in: Contributions of the Minnesota State Park System to State and Regional Economies, 2002; and MN DNR, State Trail Use, 2000.


Estimated tax revenue related to Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy

Activity revenue is related to Income taxes Sales taxes
Fishing  (sales taxes including motor fuel taxes) $24,900,000 $102,380,000
Hunting  (sales taxes including motor fuel taxes) $11,600,000 $42,900,000
Wildlife watching $10,900,000 $21,100,000
State parks and trails  (taxes related to trip spending only) $3,100,000 $10,600,000

Source: Lines 1 - 3: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. U.S. Dept. of Interior, FWS and U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Census Bureau. Line 4 Based on data presented in: Contributions of the Minnesota State Park System to State and Regional Economies, 2002; and MN DNR, State Trail Use, 2000.