Hannah Downey

Hannah Downey

Policy Director

Hannah Downey is the policy director at PERC, helping to engage PERC ideas in environmental policy decisions. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Salt Lake Tribune, and local papers. After being introduced to PERC in college, she pursued the ideas of free market environmentalism and became a PERC research assistant. She graduated from Montana State University with degrees in economics and political science in 2015.

Though she grew up in the Midwest, Hannah was lucky enough to spend her summers in Montana. Throughout college she worked as a backpacking guide in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Hannah now calls Bozeman home and fills her spare moments with skiing, mountain biking, and enjoying the wonderful outdoors.

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Articles by Hannah Downey

Thank a Hunter

Hannah Downey, Kaleigh Cunningham

It’s incredibly important that we actively support hunting and angling not only because they’re a part of Montana’s identity, but because our wild places need the resources.

Water Markets Can Rescue the Great Salt Lake

Hannah Downey

By recognizing water conservation as a beneficial use, Utah can promote cooperation that can help restore the Great Salt Lake.

The Great American Outdoors Act, Explained

Hannah Downey

While it might not solve all of our problems, the Great American Outdoors Act should be celebrated as an important step in restoring what’s great about the great outdoors.

PERC Research Fellow Testifies on Wildlife Conservation and Zoonotic Disease Risks

Hannah Downey

Catherine Semcer testifies before the U.S. Senate on the importance of habitat conservation in preventing disease transmission from wildlife to humans.

Free Markets Meet Public Lands

Hannah Downey

How PERC’s ideas are improving federal land management.

PERC Research Fellow Testifies Before California Senate Committee at Hearing on Wildlife Trade and the Covid-19 Pandemic

Hannah Downey

Catherine Semcer testifies before the California Senate on the role of hunting in conserving wildlife habitat in Africa.

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