From the USDA's Economic Research Service Briefing Room

Overview

The rural outdoors has become a major asset for rural communities—and a key advantage that some rural areas have over urban areas. The rural outdoors can be enhanced through the construction of recreation facilities, but undeveloped rural landscapes have appeal on their own, both for recreation and as attractive places to live. This briefing room looks at the appeal of rural landscapes, the importance of forest landscape preferences, and the role of scenic amenities across the rural-urban continuum. 

Vist the site below for the full briefing:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/RuralAmenities/