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| 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.
Public interest in outdoor recreation is an important and growing cultural phenomenon that should be available to a broad and diverse range of people to share and value. Outdoor recreation also fosters caring attitudes and the development of stewardship behaviors toward natural resources and ecosystems.
Outdoor recreation, tourism, and agro-tourism have become significant factors in rural economic development. Many rural communities look to the development of tourism to remain viable as traditional resource extractive industries decline. In some instances, tourism has obviously contributed to the local economic base, while in other instances it has detracted from it. Communities need more knowledge on rural tourism activities and the effects of tourism development on community coherence and sustainability.
The study of outdoor recreation issues greatly benefits from an interdisciplinary approach combining research, education, and extension. This approach yields a broader understanding of the environment, ecology, natural resources, human behaviors, history, culture, demography, and their interactions and interrelationships. New tensions are arising from growing populations, demographic changes, new and competing recreation activities, funding availability and changing priorities, public policies, and human capital limitations. Outdoor recreation can be integrated into sustainable natural resources management planning only through enhanced understanding of these complex and interrelated issues. Sustainable resource-based recreation and tourism development can then benefit the rural economy and improve the quality of life.
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Last Updated: January 15, 2009
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