Fall is here, and for Vermont, that means people from all over the country will come here to watch the leaves change color. In addition to our beautiful fall foliage, we also take pride in our academic achievements in Vermont. The internationally recognized Gund Institute of Ecological Economics at UVM is one of the highlights of UVM’s research departments. Gund professors focus on ways that we can account for the value of ecosystem services such as clean water and fresh air in our current economic system, often by assigning monetary values to these services. When you think about it, ecotourism in a place like Vermont is, in many ways, a valuation for an ecosystem service: beauty. By coming to Vermont to see intact deciduous forests, visitors are placing value on our ecosystems -- and providing incentives for conservation. Especially on vacation where we often spend a lot, it’s interesting to think about how our money is affecting the places we visit. Use your power wisely.