Outlook For Outdoor Recreation In The Northern United States

We develop projections of participation and use for 17 nature-based outdoor recreation activities through 2060 for the Northern United States. Similar to the 2010 Resources Planning Act assessment, this report develops recreation projections under futures wherein population growth, socioeconomic conditions, land use changes, and climate are allowed to change over time.

We develop projections of participation and use for 17 nature-based outdoor recreation activities through 2060 for the Northern United States. Similar to the 2010 Resources Planning Act (RPA) assessment, this report develops recreation projections under futures wherein population growth, socioeconomic conditions, land use changes, and climate are allowed to change over time. Findings indicate that outdoor recreation will likely remain a key part of the regions future social and economic fabric. The number of participants in 14 of the 17 recreation activities is projected to increase over the next five decades. In about two-thirds of 17 activities, the participation rate will likely decrease, but population growth would ensure increases in the number of adult participants. Some climate futures could lead to participant decreases for certain activities. Hunting, snowmobiling, and undeveloped skiing appear to be the only activities for which a decrease in participants is likely. Total days of participation would generally follow the pattern of participant numbers. With the exceptions of hunting, visiting primitive areas, and whitewater activities, snowmobiling, undeveloped skiing, total days are expected to increase for the remaining 14 activities, some less so than others because of climate differences.

Outdoor recreation can take many forms depending on the types of activities, settings, social engagements, equipment, and times chosen by the recreation participant. Recreation can be physically active (for example, hiking) or more sedentary (for example, viewing natural scenery). Many of the activities of interest to the Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment and to assessments of current or future northern forest conditions are classified as nature-based in that they are in some way associated with wildlife, birds, streams, lakes, snow and ice areas, trails, rugged terrain, mountains, caves, and other natural outdoor resources or settings. This book discusses outdoor recreation in the northern United States and provides a technical document supporting the northern forest futures project that includes projections through 2060.

Outdoor recreation can take many forms depending on the types of activities, settings, social engagements, equipment, and times chosen by the recreation participant. Recreation can be physically active (for example, hiking) or more sedentary (for example, viewing natural scenery). Many of the activities of interest to the Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment and to assessments of current or future northern forest conditions are classified as "nature-based" in that they are in some way associated with wildlife, birds, streams, lakes, snow and ice areas, trails, rugged terrain, mountains, caves, and other natural outdoor resources or settings. This book discusses outdoor recreation in the northern United States and provides a technical document supporting the northern forest futures project that includes projections through 2060.

In the last two decades, the North's population grew at a considerably slower rate than the Nation as a whole. Nevertheless, this region's population is large and in all likelihood will continue to grow. This means greater development of land and water resources at the same time that there is growth in demand for outdoor recreation. This report looks at recent population trends and forecasts within the context of other U.S. regions, demographic composition of population, recreation participation by residents age 16 and older, trends in activities and time spent outdoors by its youth, and the changes occurring in recreation resources, both public and private. The region referenced here includes the area within the corner States of Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, and Maryland. Much of the research reported here ties to data, analyses, and findings developed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service 2010 Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment (Cordell 2012) and how they affect the sustainability of northern forests.

This publication is part of the Northern Forest Futures Project, through which the Northern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service examines the issues, trends, threats, and opportunities facing the forests of the northern United States. It complements the Forests of the Northern untied States which summarizes forest-related concerns that are unique to the northern United States and discusses characteristics associated with forest sustainability in the region.