# Presentation: 696290

## A LONG-TERM STUDY OF FOREST RECREATION AND FOREST VALUES:THE NATIONAL SURVEY ON RECREATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

**KEN CORDELL AND GARY GREEN, SOUTHERN RESEARCH STATION; ATHENS GA (****www.srs.fs.fed.us/trends****)**

## Numbers and Diversity are Growing

_**Numbers and Diversity are Growing**_

-  **About ****1 million**** new immigrants per year**
** **_**More people**_**:****	****1990****	****	****248 mm**
**	****	****	****2000****	****	****275 mm**
**	****	****	****2020****	****	****325 mm**
**	****	****	****2050****	****	****404 mm**
**	****	****	****2075****	****	****481 mm**
**	****	****	****2100****	****	****571 mm**
** **_**Getting older**_**:  Median age 35********38 (by 2020)**
** **_**Changing ethnicities**_** by 2050:**
**	****	****Anglo Americans ****	****	****76%********50%**
**	****	****African Americans****	**** ****	****12% ********15%**
**	****	****Hispanic Americans****	****  9% ********21%**
**	****	****Asian Americans****	****	****  4% ********11%**

## THREE TOPICS

**The National Survey as a long-term study**
**Recreation trends and patterns in the country and South**
**Forest values and public opinions**

## NSRE

_***NSRE***_

***NATIONAL SURVEY ON RECREATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT***
***SINCE 1960***
_***THE UNITED STATES’ ON-GOING NATIONAL RECREATION SURVEY***_

## HISTORY AND CURRENT COVERAGE OF THE NATIONAL RECREATION SURVEY

**The first National Recreation Survey (The NRS Series) was done in 1960 for the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission**
**Subsequent NRSs in 1965, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1995 and 2000-01**
**These NRSs were used widely in the field and were the basis for U. S. Nationwide Outdoor Plans of the 1970s and 1980s (Interior). Now the basis for National RPA Assessments**
**Current NRS has been renamed the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment (*****NSRE*****)**
***NSRE***** is Nation’s on-going, long-term outdoor participation and environmental/public lands survey**

## MODULES OF QUESTIONS

**MODULES OF QUESTIONS**

**Participation in Recreational Activities**
**Recreation Participation in Coastal States**
**Frequency of Participation in Days**
**Favorite Activities and Constraints**
**Risk Activity Participation**
**Nature-based Trip Taking and Tourism**
**Opinions about Recreation Area Management**
**Environmental Attitudes and Values**
**Values and Objectives for Management of Public Lands**
**Wilderness Values, Knowledge, Visitation, and Prioritiess for Management**
**Knowledge, Objectives, Satisfactions with Congressionally Designated Areas**
**Ownership, Uses, Motivations and Plans for Private Land**
**Wildland-Urban Interface Issues and Attitudes**
**Lifestyles, Demographics and Disabilities**

## LIFESTYLES--NEW

**LIFESTYLES--NEW**

**Hobbies or other interests**
**Chores or gardening at home**
**Involvement with family**
**Interest in sports**
**Community or civic activities**
**Vacationing and travel**
**Self study and cultural events**
**Exercise**
**Keeping up with new technologies, internet, etc.**
**Socializing and making friends**
**Eating out or cooking in**

## DETAILED HOUSEHOLD AND INDIVIDUAL DATA*******(Employs Bureau of Census Protocols)Number of household members by age and sexCitizenship, where born and country of originRace and ethnicityOccupation and employment statusCity, rural/urban, ZIP CodeChildhood originIncome and educationDisabilities

## NSRE

**A sample of over 60,000+ households, from the Keys to the Artic Wildlife Refuge**
**Approximately 20,000 respondents in the South**
**Includes individuals 16 years or older**
**Ties back to the first Nationwide Recreation Survey by the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission in 1960 **
**Is the Nation’s on-going recreation survey, the 8th**
**Interagency sponsorship—USFS, NOAA, ERS, EPA, NPS, BLM.**
**Others involved, National Scenic Byways, Heritage, Wilderness, Numerous State Agencies, Bicycle Safety, The Pew Wilderness Center, NRCS, Montreal Process, .....**

## THREE TOPICS

**The National Survey as a long-term study**
**Recreation trends and patterns in the country and South**
**Forest values and public opinions**

## LONG TERM TRENDS SINCE 1960

_**LONG TERM TRENDS SINCE 1960**_

## ACTIVITIES ADDING THE MOST PARTICIPANTS IN THE MORE RECENT PAST, 1982-2001 (Millions)

_**ACTIVITIES ADDING THE MOST PARTICIPANTS IN THE MORE RECENT PAST, 1982-2001 (Millions)**_

**	****	**_**Growth**_**	**_**No. in 2001**_
**Walking****	****	****85.4****	****	****179.0**
**Bird watching****	****	****50.0****	****	****71.2**
**Hiking****	****	****48.4****	****	****73.1**
**Swimming/river,**
**  ****lake, or ocean****	****	****36.4****	****	****92.9**
**Sightseeing****	****	****32.7****	****	****114.0**
**Picnicking****	****	****31.8****	****	****116.6**
**Bicycling****	****	****27.4****	****	****83.9**
**Developed camping****	****	****22.8****	****	****52.8**
**Motor boating****	****	****17.8****	****	****51.4**
**Off-road driving****	****	****17.3****	****	****36.7**
**Backpacking****	****	****14.6****	****	****23.4**

## Fastest Growing in Short Term

|                                                Activity | Millions in 2000-01 | Percent Change 1994-2001 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kayaking | 7.29 | 182.56 |
| Snowboarding | 10.53 | 137.70 |
| Jet skiing | 20.31 | 119.33 |
| View or photograph fish | 53.06 | 97.84 |
| Soccer outdoors | 17.33 | 87.15 |
| Snowmobiling | 11.81 | 69.93 |
| Ice fishing | 6.22 | 59.49 |
| Sledding | 31.22 | 56.18 |
| View wildlife | 95.26 | 55.88 |
| Backpacking | 22.76 | 53.78 |
| Day hiking | 70.62 | 51.29 |
| Bicycling | 84.60 | 50.80 |
| Horseback riding | 20.95 | 50.29 |

## Next Fastest Growing

_**in Short Term**_
**(1994-2001)**

|                                                Activity | Millions in 2000-01 | Percent Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Canoeing | 20.63 | 49.93 |
| Mountain climbing | 12.85 | 46.52 |
| Running or jogging | 73.58 | 43.54 |
| Ice skating outdoors | 14.64 | 42.69 |
| Coldwater fishing | 28.81 | 42.13 |
| Developed camping | 55.73 | 37.50 |
| Handball or racquetball outdoors | 15.07 | 36.75 |
| Drive off-road | 37.21 | 36.50 |
| Rafting | 20.22 | 35.89 |
| Walk for pleasure | 177.00 | 35.47 |
| Surfing | 3.45 | 35.29 |
| Visit nature centers, etc. | 122.28 | 34.48 |

|                                                Activity | Millions in 2000-01 | Percent Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visit archeological sites | 44.84 | 31.53 |
| View birds | 69.26 | 31.10 |
| Football | 17.22 | 29.86 |
| Family gathering | 156.78 | 29.60 |
| Big game hunting | 17.79 | 27.99 |
| Cross country skiing | 8.10 | 26.96 |
| Rock climbing | 9.21 | 26.86 |
| Attend outdoor concerts, etc. | 84.75 | 26.70 |
| Basketball outdoor | 31.28 | 25.32 |

## Slowest Growing in Short Term 

|                                                Activity | Millions in 2000-01 | Percent Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Primitive camping | 33.88 | 23.88 |
| Golfing | 35.93 | 23.73 |
| Small game hunting | 15.51 | 22.22 |
| Migratory bird hunting | 5.11 | 21.96 |
| Picnicking | 116.54 | 21.35 |
| Warmwater fishing | 48.10 | 20.67 |
| Saltwater fishing | 22.08 | 19.09 |
| Tennis outdoors | 24.59 | 18.79 |
| Swimming in streams, lakes, ponds, or the ocean | 89.59 | 17.42 |
| Yard games, e.g., croquet | 83.92 | 16.72 |
| Sailing | 10.80 | 15.63 |
| Rowing | 9.42 | 14.32 |
| Attend outdoor sports events | 106.25 | 14.22 |

|                                                Activity | Millions in 2000-01 | Percent Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visit historic sites | 98.62 | 14.10 |
| Motorboating | 52.27 | 13.80 |
| Downhill skiing | 18.20 | 10.64 |
| Baseball | 14.47 | 9.79 |
| Snorkeling or scuba diving | 15.47 | 9.25 |
| Visit beach or waterside | 129.39 | 6.47 |
| Anadromous fishing | 9.36 | 5.76 |
| Pool swimming | 87.09 | 0.66 |
| Caving | 9.25 | 0.33 |
| Sightseeing | 110.90 | 0.04 |
| Waterskiing | 17.30 | -1.03 |
| Orienteering | 4.26 | -9.36 |
| Softball | 22.46 | -11.96 |
| Volleyball outdoors | 22.57 | -19.51 |
| Windsurfing | 1.73 | -19.53 |

_**Slowest Growing in Short Term**_** **
**(1994-2001)**

## Gathering Non-Timber Forest Products

_**Gathering Non-Timber Forest Products**_

_**The Gathering**_
**	****- 31% of Southerners participate**
**	****- 54% of gathering is in forests**
**	****- 96% gathered forest products for**
**	****	**** ****personal use**
**	****	***** 73% firewood**
**	****	***** 47% berries**
**	****	***** 43% other tree materials**
**	****	***** 43% herbs/flowers**
**	****	***** 35% rocks/minerals**
**	****	***** 9% mushrooms**

## Activity Participation in the South

_**Activity Participation in the South**_
**(Percentage Participating)**

## A SUMMARY OF RECREATION TRENDS

**That percentage translates into approximately 206 million people over age 15 participating in one or more of the 77 outdoor activities in the survey.**
**Walking continues to be the single most popular of activities, although birding is growing fast and joining the ranks of activities Americans most favor.**
**Following birding are a number of other fast growing activities ranging from hiking, which grew 196%, to swimming in natural waters at 64%, for the period of 1983-2001.**
**The composition of these fastest growing activities indicate a rapid rise in popularity of viewing/learning, trail, motorized, and camping activities.**

_**A SUMMARY OF RECREATION TRENDS**_

## THREE TOPICS

**The National Survey as a long-term study**
**Recreation trends and patterns in the country and South**
**Forest values and public opinions**

## FOREST VALUES QUESTIONS

_**FOREST VALUES QUESTIONS**_
_**Statement by Interviewer**_**: Now I will read you 12 statements that describe different values that could be emphasized in the management of  our federal system of forests. Please rate each statement from one to five, with five meaning extremely important and one meaning not important at all. (The items were randomized for each respondent.)**

## VALUES THE PUBLIC WAS ASKED TO RATE

**NAF1****	****Protect streams and other sources of **_**clean water**_**	****	**
**NAF2****	****Maintain national forests **_**for future generations**_** to use and enjoy****	**
**NAF3****	****Provide access, facilities and services for **_**outdoor recreation**_
**NAF4****	****Provide habitat and protection for **_**abundant wildlife and fish**_
**	****NAF5****	**** Provide quiet, natural places **_**for personal renewal**_
**NAF6****	****Use and manage forest areas in ways that leave them **_**natural in appearance**_
**NAF7****	****Emphasize planting and management of trees for an **_**abundant timber**_** ****	**_**supply**_
**NAF8****	****Provide access to **_**raw materials and products**_** for local industries and ****	****communities**
**NAF9****	****Protect rare, **_**unique or endangered**_** plant and animal species**
**	****NAF10****	****Provide roads, accommodations and services to help **_**local tourism**_** ****	****	****	**_**businesses**_**	**
**	****NAF11****	****Provide permits to ranchers for **_**grazing of livestock**_** such as cattle and ****	****	****	****sheep**
**	****NAF12****	****Provide **_**information and educational services**_** about forests, their ****	****	****	****	****management and the natural life in them**
**	**

## NAF1--Protect streams and other sources of clean water

**NAF1--Protect streams and other sources of clean water**
**	**
**Not at all****	****	****	****	****   Extremely**
**important****	****	****	****	****   important**
**1****	****	****2****	****	****3****	****	****4****	****	****5**
**	****	****	****	****8   Don't know**
**	****	****	****	****9   Refused****	**

## Public Values of Forests

| Value | Extremely Important |   Important |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Protect streams and other sources of clean water | 83.5 | 94.9 |
| Maintain NFs for future generations | 81.3 | 93.5 |
| Provide habitat for wildlife and fish | 70.4 | 89.2 |
| Protect rare plant or animal species | 68.1 | 86.0 |
| Manage NF areas to leave them natural looking | 65.2 | 86.8 |
| Emphasize planting and management for timber | 58.5 | 79.1 |
| Provide information and educational services | 53.2 | 80.1 |
| Provide quiet, natural places for personal renewal | 50.3 | 75.8 |
| Provide access, facilities, and services for recreation | 45.4 | 74.5 |
| Provide roads, services, accommodations to support local tourism businesses | 31.6 | 57.0 |
| Provide permits to ranchers for grazing livestock | 29.2 | 52.1 |
| Provide raw materials to support local industries | 25.9 | 47.1 |

_**Public Values of Forests**_

## USING FACTOR ANALYSIS, IDENTIFY UNDERLYING DIMENSIONS OF VALUE

## VALUE DIMENSION 1: MANAGE FOR PROTECTION

**Protect streams and other sources of clean water**
**Provide habitat and protection for abundant wildlife and fish**
**Protect rare, unique or endangered plant and animal species**
**(Average Score 74.0)**

## VALUE DIMENSION 2:MANAGE FOR AMENITIES

**Maintain al forests for future generations to use and enjoy**
**Provide quiet, natural places for personal renewal**
**Use and manage forest areas in ways that leave them natural in appearance**
**Provide information and educational services about forests, their management and the natural life in them**
**(Average Score = 61.6)****	**

## VALUE DIMENSION 3:MANAGE FOR COMMODITIES

**Provide access, facilities and services for outdoor recreation**
**Emphasize planting and management of trees for an abundant timber supply**
**Provide access to raw materials and products for local industries and communities**
**Provide roads, accommodations and services to help local tourism businesses**
**Provide permits to ranchers for grazing of livestock such as cattle and sheep**
**(Average Score = 38.1)**

## Objectives for Managing Public Forests

**(Percent saying important to very important)**

**Source: NSRE/Shields VOBA Module**

**Providing resources to help local communities (51%)**

## Reasons

**Reasons**
**for**
**Owning Private Land**

**	****	****	****	****	****	****	**_**N      S**_
**	****	****	****	****	****	****	**(Percent of owners)
**Recreation:****	****-Personal****	****	****	****	****52.4****	****43.2**
**	****	****-For others****	****	****	****	****36.4****	****30.6**
**Raising livestock for sale****	****	****	****	****49.9****	****42.6**
**To live a rural lifestyle****	****	****	****	****	****33.0****	****24.9**
**To eventually sell at a profit ****	****	****	****	****32.6****	****38.6**
**Tax shelter****	****	****	****	****	****	****31.7****	****20.5**
**Growing nursery trees/shrubs****	****	****	****	****26.0****	****39.6**
**Enjoying my own green space****	****	****	****	****22.7****	****26.6**
**Making an estate for heirs****	****	****	****	****13.6****	****12.4**
**Providing habitat for wildlife****	****	****	****	**** 8.5****	**** 8.3**
**Making money from recreation fees/leases****	****	**** 3.2****	**** 7.6**
**Growing crops or hay for sale****	****	****	****	**** 2.9****	**** 3.8**
**Growing timber for sale****	****	****	****	****	**** 2.8****	**** 2.6**

## ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES NEED

**There apparently are many more Americans who believe, than there are who don’t believe, that we are significantly impacting the natural environment and may be heading for a major environmental catastrophe.**
**Fewer believe that our science and ingenuity will overcome our impacts or that we were meant to rule over nature.**
**Over 80% of Americans believe that the earth is fragile and that humans are upsetting its balance.**
**Much lower percentages believe that humans have the right to dominate nature and that our impacts have been exaggerated.**

_**ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES NEED**_
_**TO BE UNDERSTOOD**_

## SOME HOPEFULLY INFORMED PROGNOSTICATIONS

**The rising proportions of the U. S. population who are Hispanic, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander and born in another country will result in shifts in the type of participation in and attitude toward outdoor recreation**
**The rise in proportion of the population which lives in urban areas will affect recreation participation, but not environmental opinion**
**Rising median age and proportions in older age groups will moderate demand growth in some outdoor activities and move environmental opinion a bit toward earth over humans**
**Continued increases in incomes will likely result in overall increases in recreation participation and a greener environmental attitude**

## Forthcoming Book:Outdoor Recreation for 21st Century AmericaCurrent trends, Participation, Demographic and regional differences, Linkages with lifestyles, State/ regional/national estimates, Participant profiles Spring/Summer, 2002, Venture Publishing, PA

## A LONG-TERM STUDY OF FOREST RECREATION AND FOREST VALUES:THE NATIONAL SURVEY ON RECREATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

**KEN CORDELL AND GARY GREEN, SOUTHERN RESEARCH STATION; ATHENS GA (****www.srs.fs.fed.us/trends****)**