Overview

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Natural resources such as land, soil, and water, are important to the U.S. economy. Agricultural and forestry industries use them to produce food, fiber, and timber. Farm and forestlands also provide significant open space, clean air and water, scenic vistas, biodiversity, and recreation to the public. Nature-based outdoor recreational activities on private lands, including agro- and eco-tourism, have grown dramatically in the past 20 years. CSREES-supported research, education, and extension programs focus on the management of these lands for recreation and coordinating their use with other natural resources. In partnership with Land-Grant Universities and other research and education institutions, CSREES-funded activities have helped build a body of scientific knowledge enhancing the understanding of human recreational behaviors that can help solve a variety of natural resource management issues.

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In Focus

• CSREES and partners promote sustainable outdoor recreation environments to connect people with nature, leading to healthier people, resources, and communities.
• CSREES begins strategic planning process to strengthen outdoor recreation research, education, and extension programs.
• CSREES funds research projects on natural resource-based recreation and tourism to enhance community resilience and reduce economic vulnerability.
• Several multistate research projects address environmental and resource economics issues.
• Land-grant researchers apply environmental benefits transfer techniques to inform public policy decisions.
• USDA and Interior Department launch one-stop, interagency Web site for federal recreation reservations.


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Partnerships

• CSREES collaborates with the Farm Service Agency on assessing the effects of its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) partners with CSREES and selected land-grant universities to evaluate economic benefits of water resources projects.
• CSREES partners with Farm Foundation to explore U.S. agriculture, environment and natural resources, and rural community vitality.


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Events

• Competitive Grants Grantsmanship Workshops, Washington, DC/Salt Lake City, UT, September/October, 2008.
• Galaxy III Conference: "Celebrating the Extension System: Strengths, Diversity, and Unique Qualities," Indianapolis, IN, September 15-19, 2008.
• Pathways to Success Conference & Training: Integrating Human Dimensions into Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Estes Park, CO, September 28-October 2, 2008.


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Selected Results and Impacts

• Using a CSREES grant, North Carolina researchers are working to improve understanding of how conservation benefits watersheds.
• North Carolina's Farmland Values Project uses CSREES funds to explore the non-farm values of agricultural land.
• Washington researchers use CSREES funds to study the effects of biofuels production on soils.


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Resources

• National Extension Tourism Clearinghouse. Education resources and research information for tourism educators.
• National Extension Tourism Faculty List, Montana State University Extension Service. State by state listing of extension faculty with tourism expertise.
• Where Can I Find Professional and Academic Research on Recreation?, Recreation.Gov. Research data related to recreation.


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Contacts

Fen Hunt