Pacific Southwest Research Station

Pacific Southwest Research Station
800 Buchanan Street
West Annex Building
Albany, CA 94710-0011

(510) 559-6300

Research Topics

Recreation: Behaviors and Conflict

Studies will examine attitudes, values, behaviors, conflict, recreation participation, and decision-making. These will focus on underlying attitudes and values towards natural resources as well as behaviors, especially in recreation settings. Techniques to increase environmentally responsible actions will be explored. Some studies will examine barriers to recreational participation and conflicts, while others will explore approaches to addressing these issues.

Studies Related to this Topic:

Boating Capacity at Shasta and Trinity Lakes

Concerns over crowding and user conflicts led to a study of boating capacity at Shasta and Trinity Lakes in northern California. The study provides a comprehensive model for looking at recreational carrying capacity. In this case, boating use patterns were measured through aerial and ground counts. Visitor data were collected through a series of on-site and mail surveys of key user groups. This multiple measurement and approach facilitated a comprehensive evaluation of the relationships between use levels and the quality of visitor experiences. More about this topic.

Off-Highway Vehicle Management in California

A survey of managers of OHV areas on National Forests in California was conducted based on issues facing National Forests identified by the Chief of the USDA Forest Service. Of particular interest are the perceptions of managers of OHV activity. They are most likely to understand the complex nature of OHV issues and to take the actions required for mitigating them. More about this topic.

The Roles of Trust and Concern in Threatened and Endangered Species Management

This summary is a continuation from the last research update reporting southwesterners' opinions on threatened and endangered species management. This is part of a series of studies examining the role of trust in natural resource management. We have found that "shared values" is highly predictive of overall trust. Examples of justifications acceptable to some individuals include limited resources or strong interest group opposition. We also combined approval and effectiveness ratings of t & e management interventions, then predicted the approval/effectiveness ratings based on several factors. More about this topic.

Southwesterners' Opinions on Threatened and Endangered Species Management

This study gathered opinions and preferences for threatened and endangered species management on forest lands, with a specific focus on recreation-related interventions from residents of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The shared concern about threatened and endangered species, paired with conservative ratings of knowledge suggests that an opportunity for education exists. Efforts should be tailored to the specific information needs and interests of publics, as well as their levels of trust or distrust in the agency. More about this topic.

Successful Law Enforcement: Case Studies in the U.S. Forest Service

This study examined the types and impacts of crime and violence on public lands. Recent efforts looked at three successful cases of managing crime and violence in order to develop a toolbox of key characteristics of success. Using the tools and following the guidelines from the case studies should result in successful management of crime and violence on public lands. More about this topic.

Research conducted by:

• Deborah Chavez
• Patricia Winter