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.

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:

 
Field Bindweed - An Attractive Nuisance, and Worse
A pretty plant may still be a weed, and field bindweed is a clear example. This attractive relation of morning glory can invade a landscape, interfering with the growth of desired plants both above and below ground. This fact sheet gives information on avoiding and treating field...
O'Callaghan, A. and Robinson, M. L. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
screenshot of iNaturalist app
How to Identify Pests Using Your Phone
When dealing with a pest problem, one of the first challenges is figuring out exactly what you’re up against. Many mobile apps and online tools allow you to take or upload a photo to get possible identifications.
Jensen, C.; Johnson, J. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Blog
purslane
"The Good Weed Series: Purslane (Portulaca oleraceav), Desert Gardening in Southern Nevada, Blog Posts 21-01
The Master Gardener Volunteers of Southern Nevada provides horticultural information on gardens, landscapes, plants and other related topics. This blog post is one of many resources of information available to the public to help accomplish this mission.
Deever, D. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Russian Knapweed
Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) is a non-native perennial forb (wild flower) that arrived in the United States in the late 1890s. This weed is well adapted, growing in damp to poorly drained soils with high salinity and/or alkalinity.
B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-02
bindweed flowers
Field Bindweed - An Attractive Nuisance, and Worse
A pretty plant may still be a weed, and field bindweed is a clear example. This attractive relation of morning glory can invade a landscape, interfering with the growth of desired plants both above and below ground. This fact sheet gives information on avoiding and treating field...
O'Callaghan, A. and Robinson, M. L. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-33
 

Associated Programs

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

Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP)

The Nevada Economic Assessment Project 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 counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal and environmental characteristics, trends and impacts. The data can be used for land use and project planning, grant writing and overall policy assessment.