Values of the urban wilderness
| Authors: | Patricia L. Winter |
| Year: | 2013 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Pacific Southwest Research Station |
| Source: | In: Cordell, H. Ken; Betz, Carter J.; Zarnoch, Stanley J. Recreation and protected land resources in the United States: a technical document supporting the Forest Service 2010 RPA Assessment. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-GTR-169. Asheville, NC: USDA-Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 67-70 |
Abstract
Wilderness is widely supported by the American public (Campaign for America’s Wilderness 2003) and provides myriad ecosystem services and other benefits (Schuster and others 2005, Williams and Watson 2007). Wilderness services and benefits deemed important to the public include use (such as recreation) and non-usevalues (such as scenery appreciation) (Brown and Alessa 2005). Protecting wilderness and its values as population and environmental changes evolve is a significant challenge (Hill 1994). Wilderness Areas near urban places (urban-proximate wilderness) are under elevated threat from human impacts, including encroaching development and spillover of ambient air pollution (Cordell and others 2005). It is hoped that this discussion will help broaden recognition of environmental issues with wilderness beyond the traditional biospheric focus to incorporate other values (Schultz and Zelezny 2003). Recognizing the broader variety of values invites a holistic consideration of wilderness protection efforts.
This paper examines values through the experiences of visitors to urban-proximate wilderness areas. Experiences are grouped according to types of values, considering direct reports from visitors both during and after their wilderness visits. In each case, the discussion surrounds direct-use values (Schuster and others 2005). Some of these benefits extend beyond the immediate wilderness visit. Focusing on visitor experiences can inform management of wilderness (Cole 2004), help broaden the consideration of wilderness benefits, and facilitate wilderness preservation efforts (Hill 1994). Findings may help illuminate the broad array of values represented in an urban-proximate wilderness, including the value of the recreational experience to a diverse urban public.