Treesearch

Stewardship in an era of dwindling human resources requires new approaches to the way business is conducted in the public sector, and Total Quality Management (TQM) can be the avenue for this transformation. Resource agencies are no exception to this requirement, although modifications to "traditional" private enterprise versions of TQM implementation techniques must be done if success is going to be achieved. The application of TQM within a public resource agency has been the focus of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) during 1993-94. The lessons learned form the...

In many parts of our country today, forest health and sustainability are important management questions. Some individuals and groups have observed that during the past century the emphasis in American forest management on commodity production has, in many cases, contributed to a unhealthy forest landscape. For example, the forestland in eastern Oregon has considerably declined because of the overharvest of commercially valuable ponderosa pine because of over-intensive fire control.

Examination of natural resources often leaves out one important component-the human element. To enable resource managers and researchers to exchange information and ideas about the human dimensions of natural resources, the second Symposium on Social Aspects and Recreation Research was held February 23-25, 1994, in San Diego, California. The format of the symposium offered various opportunities for interactive communication among attendees. The proceedings contain abbreviated versions of 29 oral presentations, and summaries of sessions covering poster presentations, simulated field trips,...

A joint effort between three National Forests in northern Utah was begun to provide a uniform process for establishing fees at developed recreation sites, based upon the "cost approach" method. This method can be adapted for other National Forest and District use and can be modified to reflect "comparable fees" and updated periodically to meet local needs and changing conditions.

Current fire management policies in the USDA Forest Service includes traditional multiple uses, but these policies do not adequately incorporate non-traditional uses such as preservation of biodiversity and related nongame and endangered animals. A contingent valuation methodology was used for valuing the general public's desire to know that rare and unique ecosystems exist and will be protected from fire for current and future generations. The methodology was applied to old-growth forests and critical habitat units for the northern spotted owl in Oregon. A mail survey describing a...

National Forests throughout the United States are facing critical management decisions regarding optimal resource use amidst strong countervailing pressures for access. Visitors to Talladega National Forest in Alabama were surveyed to develop appropriate marketing strategies. Cluster analysis showed that separate homogeneous user groups exist. This information was vital to the formation of appropriate marketing strategies.

Beliefs and attitudes underlying wilderness visitors’ support for use restrictions were studied. Some evidence shows that in overused places visitors cite both protection of the resource and the wilderness experience as reasons for supporting restrictions. The research reported here provides the opportunity to assess the relative contribution of each of these reasons, and others, to visitor support for use restrictions at three wildernesses in Oregon. Support for reducing the total amount of use was best predicted by crowding measures for day visitors and by a combination of crowding and...

One of the key reasons for the tremendous increase in mountain biking on the National Forests is the myriad of opportunities available for off-road cycling enthusiasts. The issues of land access, trail maintenance and conflict are reinforced as complex problems that will need to be resolved through the cooperation of land managers, user groups and clubs/organizations. Quantitative and qualitative methods for sampling, data collection, and data analysis were used to explore issues and problems related to mountain biking on the National Forests. The problems and issues uncovered in this...

The concept of wilderness in an urban context is explored by using Friedrich Wilderness Park in San Antonio, Texas, as an example. The issue of how natural resources protection and environmental education can be accomplished in spite of inadequate public funding is addressed.

The multidimensional problem of the homeless population in San Bernardino and nearby counties in California is examined and its impacts on adjacent public lands. The characteristics of the homeless in the area are described, as well as possible implications of this population for public lands use. Issues related to the homeless population are examined, such as displacement of recreational uses, economic development, law enforcement, and population mobility.