Chapter 10: Laying the foundation

Abstract

Societies flourish when their natural heritage thrives. Benefits derived from their natural heritage include resources that can be extracted for sustenance and shelter such as wildlife, vegetation, and minerals, as well as psychological benefits such as the satisfaction acquired from the uplifting of the human spirit, a sense of fulfillment, and a sense of identity. When connections to our natural heritage are severed, we may lose those benefits.     Public lands serve as a “commons” for our culture, and as protected lands represent a major means of ensuring those connections to American society. Managing these commons reflects our belief in the concept of community and culture. Public lands are “a sharing together” of a future that not only protects the beauty and richness of our current ecosystems but also ensures that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy those benefits as well. Visitors to our public lands can be transformed by engaging in such experiences as a hike through a national forest, viewing a magnificent mountain on the shoulders of which reside an ancient forest, or by something as simple as planting a tree in a neighborhood park. Such activities may result in enhanced physical conditioning, better understanding of the natural environment, and reduced stress, values that may lead to calls for better stewardship of public lands.

Parent Publication

• Igniting research for outdoor recreation: linking science, policy, and action

Citation

McCool, Stephen F.; Selin, Steven; Valenzuela, Francisco. 2020. Chapter 10: Laying the foundation. In: Selin, Steven; Cerveny, Lee K.; Blahna, Dale J.; Miller, Anna B., eds. 2020. Igniting research for outdoor recreation: linking science, policy, and action. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-987. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 151-160.