What are community assets?

Community assets are things that improve the community. These include items that community members want to keep, build upon and sustain for future generations. Assets can be a tangible aspect, such as a historic building, or assets can be intangible, such as community values or volunteer efforts. Identifying a snapshot of assets helps us to:

  • Easily envision our strengths and possible gaps we can work on as a community.
  • Continue discussions of possible actions and initiatives.
  • Think about and promote the community.

Asset Categories

  • Values - are an intangible asset of a community, but shared values of a community add to our quality of life.
  • People - are residents of the community. Everyone has gifts and talents to contribute to the community.
  • Places - Every community has special places where people come together. Places can be either built or the natural environment.
  • Play -  is an important part of life, from children to adults. Having time and space to play provides the opportunity to socialize with friends and improves our physical and mental health and our overall quality of life.
  • Groups - Groups can be either formal or informal and often serve as our social fabric. Groups are residents working together to improve the community, get involved or add value to the community. 
  • Economics - Communities have economic power in local businesses. Economic power can also be understood through local banks, community foundations or development authorities.

Asset mapping process

Step 1: Community workshops

  • A meeting is scheduled with local community leaders.
  • Each of the attending participants is asked to record what they feel are assets for each of the six categories on the bubble maps.
  • Afterward, a discussion of what was recorded takes place.

Step 2:  Online community asset surveys

  • Bubble maps for each asset category are developed based on participant data from workshops.
  • Community members and Extension advertise the online survey to encourage broader community participation.
  • A paper hard copy (PDF version of the survey) is provided for those without online access to the survey.

Step 3: Data Analysis of assets

  • Survey data is analyzed for each asset category, including both existing and desired assets.
  • Themes are developed for each of the asset categories based on data provided by participants, hence reducing each individual response and placing responses into themes.
  • Assets are discussed and summarized in the NEAP Report.
  • A full baseline data report, an economic impact report, and additional infographics are available for this county. 

A full baseline data report, an economic impact report, and additional infographics are available for this county. Full reports and infographics will be available for each county in Nevada. For more information, email us at EconDev@unr.edu, or call one of the individuals listed below.

Peer Review Logo
M. Rebori, J. Lednicky 2022, Results From the Community Asset Survey: Lyon County, Nevada, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-22-07

Extension Associated Contacts

 

Also of Interest:

 
mom reading to kids
Building Perspective-Taking Skills in Young Children
Introduction to perspective-taking and its ability to understand and consider other people’s thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints, which plays a vital role in developing empathy and navigating social interactions. Children develop this skill in stages as they grow.
Kim, YaeBin 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-01
girl playing with cardboard
Let's Discover STEM: Five-Year Report 2017-2022 Nevada Sustainable Communities Project
A seven-week workshop targeting children in at-risk communities in Las Vegas & Reno-Sparks to promote STEM topics and the results of said workshop.
Weigel, D., Kim, Y., and Evans, B. 2022, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, IP-22-01
Teaching Young Children About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
It is important to teach your child about diversity, equity and inclusion. It is so important to help your children learn how to embrace diversity in a way that is respectful and celebrates different cultures, backgrounds and experiences.
YaeBin Kim 2021, University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, FS-21-96
kids reading e-book
E-Books for Young Children Kim, Y. 2017, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Infant Language Development
From the moment babies are born, they are learning how to communicate. Babies first communicate by crying and then begin to coo and babble. Infants’ speech develops as they are exposed to sounds and language, spoken and unspoken. Gestures, facial expressions and sounds are all pa...
Byington, T. and Kim, Y. 2015, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, FS-15-06
 

Associated Programs

Thomas Harris speaking to group of Nevada Economic Assessment Project Stakeholders at an update meeting

Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP)

NEAP focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the demographic, social, economic, fiscal and environmental characteristics, trends and impacts.