Chapter 5: Rethinking “outdoor recreation” to account for the diversity of human experiences and connections to public lands

Dale Blahna; Lee K. Cerveny; Daniel R. Williams; Jeffrey D. Kline; Matthew Helmer; Stephen F. McCool; Francisco Valenzuela

Treesearch

Chapter 5: Rethinking “outdoor recreation” to account for the diversity of human experiences and connections to public lands

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Dale Blahna, Lee K. Cerveny, Daniel R. Williams, Jeffrey D. Kline, Matthew Helmer, Stephen F. McCool, Francisco Valenzuela

Year:

2020

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

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. 257 p.

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Abstract

This chapter explores the historical use and application of the term “outdoor recreation” as an organizing theme for sustainable public land management planning. We suggest that agencies need a more encompassing concept and approach to management involving people—one that recognizes the variety of connections that people have with natural and cultural landscapes, whether for leisure, lifestyle, livelihood, or health. This perspective suggests the need to move from a “recreation as leisure” focus to more of a “recreation as human connections” approach to public land management that better reflects the ways in which people use and value public lands.

Parent Publication

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

Keywords

Outdoor recreation, tourism, public lands, research

Citation

Blahna, Dale J.; Cerveny, Lee K.; Williams, Daniel R.; Kline, Jeffrey D.; Helmer, Matthew; McCool, Stephen F.; Valenzuela, Francisco. 2020. Chapter 5: Rethinking “outdoor recreation” to account for the diversity of human experiences and connections to public lands. 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: 65-84.