Recreational Access Management Planning: Understanding Perceptions Regarding Public Forest Lands in SW Alberta

Rachelle L Haddock,Michael S Quinn

doi:10.4236/ojf.2015.54033

Abstract

Management of recreational access on public forest lands is a complex issue of growing global importance. The provision of public recreation opportunities is part of the suite of ecological goods and services that must be considered by many forest managers. Effective access management is predicated on understanding the attitudes and perceptions of recreation users in order to predict and influence visitor behaviour and gauge the acceptance of new management strategies. Potential access management strategies vary given the nature of recreation activities and include: restricting the amount, type, and spatial distribution of use, visitor education, temporal restrictions and enhancing site durability. In this research we examined the views of recreation users on public lands in southwestern Alberta, Canada through implementation of an online survey (n = 945) with a focus on access management options. The results indicate a strong belief that the quality of the recreation experience is declining and that increased management and enforcement are required. More detailed analysis indicates that demographic and user-type variables strongly influence ideas about appropriate management. Forest managers need to engage with, understand, and respond to a wide variety of recreation user needs and preferences.

Highlights

The Society of American Foresters (2008) defines “forest management” as: the practical application of biological, physical, quantitative, managerial, economic, social, and policy principles to the regeneration, management, utilization, and conservation of forests to meet specified goals and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the forest—note forest management includes management for aesthetics, fish, recreation, urban values, water, wilderness, wildlife, wood products, and other forest resource values.In this paper we focus on some elements of forest management required for the provision of recreational opportunities through access management
This study indicates recreation users in the study area have a strong belief that the quality of the recreation experience is declining and that increased management and enforcement are required
Analysis indicates significant differences between demographic and user-type variables about both perceptions of what is currently happening on these forested public lands and desired future conditions, including recreation access management

Summary

Introduction

The Society of American Foresters (2008) defines “forest management” as: the practical application of biological, physical, quantitative, managerial, economic, social, and policy principles to the regeneration, management, utilization, and conservation of forests to meet specified goals and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the forest—note forest management includes management for aesthetics, fish, recreation, urban values, water, wilderness, wildlife, wood products, and other forest resource values.In this paper we focus on some elements of forest management required for the provision of recreational opportunities through access management. Managing forest recreation is both about addressing the ecological impacts that affect forest health and managing for the provision of quality recreation experiences. In a recent land-use planning survey, respondents’ top three management concerns were: 1) inadequate consideration of cumulative effects; 2) loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitat; and 3) not enough places for recreation activity (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, 2007). A recent regional land-use plan for the area indicates that “providing access to nature is essential for the physical and emotional health of children and adults, increasing recreational opportunities throughout the region by enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure and amenities will increase quality of life and active living” Forestry is the dominant industrial activity on these public lands; there is an abundance of petroleum development

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