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

Volunteers Management Capacity in the USFS (And an Invitation to Participate) - We recently reported research about volunteer management capacity in the US Forest Service. The study was based on the notion that natural resource agencies rely upon partnerships and volunteers to assist with many tasks for which they may lack the expertise, authority or budget to accomplish. However, neither partnerships nor volunteers are "free" additions to dwindling budgets. Both are dependent upon community good will and close working relationships. Either way, the USFS is ultimately accountable for the volunteers and the programmatic outcomes.

Youth Day in Los Angeles: Connecting Youth and Nature with Technology - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service hosted a recreation forum series in 2007. The forums were meant to obtain information about needs and opportunities for success in meeting those needs from members of the public and outdoor recreation partners. During the Partners Outdoors Conference (Lake Arrowhead, CA in January 2007) more than 30 persons participated in planning the regional forum to be held in Los Angeles in March 2007. Potential forum topics that were discussed included access, connecting Americans to the outdoors (especially youth and urban populations), and volunteers/partnerships with non-profits and others. One topic of interest was technologies and whether youth would be more likely to go outdoors if some technologies were available for their use outdoors. After considering the difficulties of having youth at the Recreation Forum a subset of the planning committee formed (included Dr. Debbie Chavez) and decided to pilot an effort to listen to kids and to develop a process for others to follow. The result was Youth Day in March 2007 in Los Angeles.

The Experience of Community Residents in a Fire-Prone Ecosystem - Dr. George Cvetkovich (Western Washington University) and Dr. Pat Winter summarized their work in a recent station publication (see publications list). The study involved residents of communities surrounding the San Bernardino National Forest and several findings of interest were reported. The researchers will be continuing this line of research by focusing on another western National Forest in 2009.

Learn more...

• Read the March 2009 Update
• Look at past Recreation Research Updates
• Recent Publications
• More about Deborah Chavez
• More about Pat Winter
• More about Jim Absher

Featured Reports

PSW-GTR-209: Fire social science research from the Pacific Southwest research station: studies supported by national fire plan funds - The Wildland Recreation and Urban Cultures Research Work Unit of the Pacific Southwest Research Station acquired funding through the National Fire Plan within the community assistance topic area to study impacts of fire events on recreation and tourism. Recently, the RWU scientists worked with their collaborators to develop a compilation of multiple papers making up the Station's general technical report "Fire Social Science Research from the Pacific Southwest Research Station: Studies Supported by National Fire Plan Funds." Fire managers, academicians, and researchers interested in social aspects of fire management will find the volume of great assistance.

PSW-GTR-210: Recreation visitor research: studies of diversity - Racial and ethnic group diversity within the United States has been and continues to increase. It is important to understand these shifts and how they impact recreation activities, opportunities, and management. Recently, the Pacific Southwest Research Station's (PSW) Wildland Recreation and Urban Cultures research work unit scientists worked with their collaborators to develop a compilation of papers making up the Station's general technical report "Recreation Visitor Research: Studies of Diversity" (PSW-GTR-210). Outdoor recreation managers, academicians, and researchers interested in diversity will find the volume of great assistance.

PSW-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.

PSW-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