Arizona’s waterways, enjoyed by over 1.5 million residents each year, contribute $13.5 billion to the state’s economy and support 114,000 jobs, according to a report released by Audubon Arizona. The study was completed with guidance from business, civic, governmental, outdoor recreation, conservation and tourism representatives and conducted by economics research firm Southwick Associates.

Water-based outdoor recreation as an industry ranks above mining and golf in terms of total economic output to the state. The industry contributes $7.1 billion to Arizona’s GDP, provides $4.5 billion in household income and generates $1.8 billion in tax revenues.

The rivers, lakes and streams of Arizona are an economic powerhouse—these results prove that. The fate of birds and people are deeply connected. Our waterways need to be protected, not only for the vital bird, fish and wildlife habitat they provide, but also to sustain Arizona’s economy today and into the future.

In order to conserve and protect the waterways we care about, we’re making the economic case for why their demise—due to drought, diversions, and a changing climate—would be so devastating for Arizona.

Read on to learn more.
 

Read the Executive Summary

Downloadable Resources

executive_summary.pdf apache_county.pdf cochise_county.pdf coconino_county.pdf gila_county.pdf graham_county.pdf greenlee_county.pdf la_paz_county.pdf maricopa_county.pdf mohave_county.pdf navajo_county.pdf pima_county.pdf pinal_county.pdf santa_cruz_county.pdf yavapai_county.pdf yuma_county.pdf Full Technical Report