THE VALUE OF ADDITIONAL CENTRAL FLYWAY WETLANDS: THE CASE OF NEBRASKA’S RAINWATER BASIN WETLANDS

Waterfowl habitat is a biological resource which is neither bought nor sold in the traditional market sense. Nebraska, which is situated near the center of North American Central Flyway, contains unique wetlands habitat. Recognizing this, resource managers working in Nebraska promote regulatory protection of such areas. This study found that Nebraskans positively value their state’s Rainwater Basin wetland region in that they are willing to pay to have it maintained and expanded. In addition, this study demonstrates how this value was estimated and illustrates how such a value can assist in policy decisions regarding habitat acquisition programs.