Pacific Southwest Research Station

Programs and Projects

Wildland Recreation and Urban Cultures

The mission of the Wildland Recreation and Urban Cultures Research Unit is to examine recreation activities, management decision making, and evaluate management strategies, especially at the wildland/urban interface with a focus on: changing recreation use patterns, including those derived from ethnicity and technological changes; values, attitudes and behaviors, as well as barriers or conflict, related to natural resources; communication related to recreation and natural resource use; and the social and recreational aspects of fire and fire management. More about this topic.

Recreation Research Update

Green Inspirations from the Field - This column continues the presentation of results from the sustainable operations survey in Region 5 and PSW, conducted by Dr. Pat Winter (PSW). In this installment, specific ideas for sustainable operations are presented from the perspective of our respondents, focusing on ideas already in place at their locations, or ideas offered they felt would work. It is hoped that these ideas can be used by others inside the agency and in other settings to advance efforts that reduce environmental footprints. For more information about this study contact Pat Winter at 951-680-1557 or .

Longitudinal Monitoring of Recreation Fee Program - This paper highlights findings that describe public perceptions about the fee program over a six year period. Surveys of residents in Washington and Oregon were conducted in 1999, 2001, and 2003. The key issues are: Shifts in public attitudes about fees, perceptions about the balance between taxes and fees, equity and implementation concerns, and revenue uses. For more information about this study contact Jim Absher at 951-680-1559 or .

Day Use on the Angeles National Forest: A Safe Haven for Latinos? - Results from a day use visitor contact study conducted on the San Antonio and San Gabriel Canyons on the Angeles National Forest in summer 2006 are reported. The purpose was to provide information based on day use visitor opinions. This write-up focuses on demographics and visitor use history (asked of all respondents n=270), and safety (asked of a portion of the sample n=134). For more information about this study contact Deborah Chavez at 951-680-1558 or .

Learn more...

• Read the July 2008 Update
• Look at past Recreation Research Updates
• Recent Publications
• More about Deborah Chavez
• More about Pat Winter
• More about Jim Absher

Featured Reports

PNW-GTR-736: Fire social science research-selected highlights - Forest Service Research and Development has a long-standing component of social fire science that since 2000 has expanded significantly. Much of this new work focuses on research that will increase understanding of the social and economic issues connected with wildland fire and fuels management. This information can enhance the ability of agencies and communities to meet land management objectives in an effective and efficient manner that is well informed by public needs and preferences. This research will improve fire and fuels management decisions by contributing to a broader understanding of key public values and concerns about fire and fuels management-before, during, and after fire and fuels treatments; social and economic effects of different fire and fuels management decisions; external and internal barriers to effective fire management; and effect of different existing and proposed policies on management options and decision space. The research will also provide guidelines and tools for effective and efficient communication, both external and internal; improving safety, reliability, and ability to meet management objectives; working with communities and other partners to achieve fire and fuels management goals; and assessing tradeoffs in economic, ecological, and quality-of-life values of different decision options.

GTR-RP-255: Forest Service special agents, assistant special agents in charge, senior special agents, and supervisory special agents report: nationwide study - This is the fourth in a series of studies to evaluate perceptions of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service law enforcement personnel of the roles, responsibilities, and issues related to their jobs. An e-mail survey was administered to the 89 Forest Service special agents, assistant special agents in charge, senior special agents, and supervisory special agents (SAs) across the United States. Seventy completed and returned the questionnaire. Communication with others in the Forest Service was important to the SA respondents, as evidenced by their efforts to communicate at group meetings, and their use of e-mail and the phone. A major concern for the SA respondents was the shortage of SAs and law enforcement officers. Forest Service SA respondents ranked their highest job priorities as protecting National Forest System employees and forest users, followed by protecting forest resources and public property. Nationally, a successful program was characterized as one with sufficient resources that is understood by those engaged in or affected by the program.

GTR-RP-256: Forest Service National Forest System perceptions of law enforcement and investigations: nationwide study - This is the fifth in a series of studies to evaluate perceptions of the roles, responsibilities, and issues entailed in the jobs of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service law enforcement and investigations (LEI) personnel. An e-mail survey was administered to the 537 Forest Service forest supervisors and district rangers (National Forest System [NFS] line officers) across the United States. Two-hundred and seventy-six completed and returned the questionnaire. Interaction, collaboration, and teamwork were important to the NFS line officer respondents-they reported the need for frequent interactions and had general agreement on priorities with LEI. Budget was a major concern for the NFS line officer respondents as was the shortage of law enforcement officers and forest protection officers. Natural resource protection was seen as important and was thought to be a priority, along with budget and safety. A successful LEI program was characterized as one that is understood by those engaged in or affected by the program and that has sufficient personnel and good communication.

RESEARCH EMPHASIS AREAS

Changing Recreation Patterns
Communication Related to Natural Resource Use
Social Aspects of Fire and Fire Management
Values, Attitudes, Behaviors and Conflict