Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Minutes of 2020 & 2021 Annual Meeting (December 14, 2021 via Zoom)

Attendees: 42

Peter Fix welcomed the participants and advisor Matt Wilson to the meeting and gave a brief introduction to the group.  Co-chairs Lincoln Larson and Sohyun Park provided an overview of NE 1962, goals of multistate projects, and benefits of participation.

Edited book.  The major effort of NE 1962 over the past two years has been the creation of an edited book, “The Transformative Power of Parks” which will be published by Sagamore Venture in 2022.   The book’s purpose, sections, submission guidelines, and timeline were reviewed.  Questions were raised whether authors would be able to receive individual chapters and a suggestion was made to have a symposium with federal agencies and others interested in the content. Breakout groups were held with authors and section editors to discuss the chapters, answer questions, and share ideas for publicity.

Reporting requirements and project renewal.  The current NE 1962 project runs through September 30, 2022.  The renewal for 5 years will need to be submitted by mid-summer.  The group discussed finding people to help with writing, updating the literature review, adding diversity, and creating objectives that will be more inclusive of interests in the field.  We will need to submit a request to write a proposal to begin the renewal process.  The proposal will be reviewed by the multistate activity committee.

Joining NE 1962.  If people are not members of NE 1962 and would like to join, they should talk with their Experiment Station directors if they are at land grant institutions.  Funding should be available to support attendance at annual meetings.  Participants should talk with Matt Wilson if they have any questions about the process.  Matt is also available to help others at non-land grant institutions to become part of the project.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We discussed increasing the diversity of membership in NE 1962 and ways to engage 1890’s and tribal colleges and universities and to advertise the project more widely.  The website and poster need to be updated.

Potential new projects.  We discussed potential new projects for the renewal period, including campus Rx, veterans, and trauma focused on individual, cultural and societal trauma.  There may be opportunities to apply for competitive grants and to extend our efforts across locations and states. 

2022 meeting.  The 2022 annual meeting will be held in April at the National Environment and Recreation Research (NERR) conference in Annapolis with an online option to participate.  

2019/20 & 2020/21 Accomplishments (General, and by Project Objective)

Relevant to All Project Objectives

• To facilitate a change in knowledge related to understanding human and community benefits and mechanisms of outdoor recreation, parks and other green environments, a group of NE 1962 multi-state members developed a proposal for an edited volume focused on “The Transformative Power of Parks” that encompasses the three major themes of NE 1962 (health and well-being, environmental literacy and stewardship, community resilience and vitality), plus a fourth cross-cutting theme (equity and inclusion). The group has signed a contract with Sagamore-Venture to publish the book. The call for chapter abstracts was released in Spring 2020 to an overwhelming positive response. Despite some delays in the writing and review process due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work on the book continues. To date, the editorial team has received and reviewed 50 chapter submissions from authors around the world that address themes in all four sections of the books. The team is currently working to finalize chapter content (with 8-15 chapters published in each of the four book sections). The final version of the book will likely be published in the upcoming reporting period (2022).

Objective 1 (health and well-being): Demonstrate and expand the evidence for the role of park and outdoor recreation services in promoting physical activity and associated preventative health benefits, particularly among youth, as well as constraints to this activity.

• Fix: Assessed health benefits associated with greenspace in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, one of the fasted growing areas of Alaska. Key contributions to the knowledge of health benefits associated with the area included the quantity (hours and minutes on average per week) of physical activity from the greenspace vs other areas and constraints to engaging in recreation at the greenspace. Fix is working with a graduate student to extend those results by conducting a survey that measure physical activity of the surrounding community. A key feature of that study will be to examine the relationship between quantity of physical activity and physical activity facilities in a neighborhood (e.g., parks, gyms, walkable neighborhoods).  Fix, with a graduate student, conducted a meta-analysis on self-reported health outcome data from over 20 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recreation areas. The meta-analysis provided insight into management actions that might increase the realization of health-related benefits. Fix has initiated a project to assess the self-perceived health benefits of recreation on BLM lands: during this reporting period data have been gathered at Bears Ears National Monument, the Upper Colorado River, and Newcastle, WY.  That project has forthcoming projects at Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Gold Butte National Monument, Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, South Fork of the Snake River, Rio Grande Del Norte NM. 
• Jiang: Completed several activities under the umbrella of NE1962 Multi-state HATCH project. The primary study topic was Environmental Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyles for West Virginian Communities. Although West Virginia has highly ranked forest coverage and abundant natural resources, citizens in rural communities—particularly seniors, the disabled, and the medically underserved—have limited daily access to public open spaces and physical activity opportunities Health care researchers and practitioners have jointly coined the community wellness center concept, which integrates walking trails, playgrounds, and therapeutic landscape features to support outdoor activities on the sites of community clinics or microhospitals. Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV) is a federally qualified health center that serves low-income and underinsured patients. The CCWV at Big Otter (Big Otter Clinic) in Clay County, West Virginia offers an array of medical services, including comprehensive primary care and chronic disease management for the entire family. The clinic is seeking to renovate the outdoor spaces by introducing therapeutic programs and landscape features, such as a walking trail loop, small healing gardens, and multifunctional spaces to increase access to physical activities and health events for residents in the county. Following an evidence-based research and design framework the site design is informed by survey results from patient and staff representatives regarding their site usage preferences, and a review of relevant research findings. The immediate goal of this project is to create a supportive walking trail through universal and inclusive design strategies as a safer alternative to vehicle roads in the community. The trail could also be used by patients for clinical physical activity prescriptions and referrals, or for walk-and-talk sessions with mental and behavioral health patients. The clinic staff members can also use the outdoor space for breaks during work, to reduce stress and burnout, and maintain quality care for the patients. The goal of the project is to transfer a traditional clinic site to a wellness center that connects to a more extensive trail system in Clay County. The wellness center model should connect health care, physical activity, and therapeutic landscapes and become a catalyst that promotes the overall well-being for rural communities, West Virginia.
• Larson: Worked on several projects related to nature-based recreation, health and well-being. Several projects examined the impact of park use and proximity to greenspace on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Obtained USFS grant focused on strategies for promoting health outcomes via equitable urban greening, linked to the NIH-funded Green Heart Louisville Project.
• Lekies: Project 1: "Understanding Long-Term Participation in Youth Development Programs" examines impacts of participation in an outdoor adventure recreation/youth development program for urban youth in Cleveland, Ohio. Interviews were conducted with adolescents and past participants now in their late 20's and early 30's to understand the use of park programs, current participation in outdoor recreation, and ways the program has contributed to healthy decision-making, life skills, and behaviors. Data analysis is near completion and a report and several articles are under development. Project 2: “Nature-based Interventions for Vulnerable Youth: A Scoping Review” is an extensive literature review of the impacts of nature-based interventions of animal-assisted therapy, care farming, wilderness therapy, and community gardening on youth experiencing significant mental health, family, school, and other difficulties. The review provides understanding about the types of interventions, the current state of research, a summary of findings, and further research needs.
• Liu: Continued to interact with professional and scientists in the field and expand her target audience for park-based health promotion. Collaborating with GFP, SDSU extension, and other colleagues made her a better communicator and able to apply different strategies and approaches to reach out to diverse audiences, including students, educators, and community partners.
• Rakow: Examined intensive semi-structured interviews of local community leaders and leaders of nature-oriented organizations. Results revealed a complex matrix of external, socioeconomic, and psychological factors that limit green access by YOC; particularly accessibility, fear, and social exclusion. Findings support existing literature, while providing additional dimension and nuance that expose larger implications and support the call for increased focus on racial and ethnic diversity, equity, and inclusion within nature engagement.
• Scholl: During the FY 19-20 & FY 20-21 periods, Scholl presented two papers to stakeholders at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Stein: As part of the long-term Florida National Scenic Trail Visitor Assessment, research from this study period contributed to the ability of the U.S. Forest Service and partnering agencies to better manage the 1000-mile trail to provide opportunities for Florida residents and visitors to benefit from the use of this trail. Research for 2021 mostly focused on the change in visitation over the last year. Generally, use is increasing on monitored segments of the Trail, which can mostly be explained to the Pandemic – people are not traveling to far away areas, and they are looking to natural areas as safe areas to recreate. Areas close to urban centers (e.g., Orlando) are having the highest increase in use. However, some of the FNST continues to suffer from low visitation levels, and results show that the FNST is still not providing desired opportunities for minority racial groups and families. Visitation tended to be mostly Caucasian and older. A second study was conducted with researchers across the United States to identify how visitors to trails complied with CDC guidelines for prevention of transmitting COVID. Researchers observed users of trails and documented social distancing and wearing masks as visitors approached other groups. Results show low compliance, but results differed based on type of trail and park.
• Tidball: Development protocols and survey instruments aided in conducting activities to demonstrate and expand the evidence for the role of Park and Outdoor Recreation services in promoting physical activity and associated preventative health benefits, particularly among veterans. We assessed each Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) association's current level of activity with military families & veterans, and explored each CCE Association's capacity to engage military families & veterans via outdoor recreation in the ADKs, with the assistance of partners. We learned that though there are high levels of interest in engaging in military families and veterans programming in the Adirondacks, training and professional development is needed in terms of both dealing with these new audiences, and in demonstrating knowledge and capacity in outdoor recreation as therapeutic.
• Wilhelm Stanis: Conducted research, published several articles (several more in submission), gave presentations (two were scheduled but canceled due to COVID-19), and applied for additional grant funding.

Objective 2 (environmental literacy and stewardship): Demonstrate and expand the evidence for the role of park and outdoor recreation services in promoting environmental literacy among youth, and document the long-term influences of early lifespan connections with nature.

• Larson: Completed project examining the potential for nature and nature-based experiences to serve as ecological assets for positive youth development. Continued research examining the impacts of citizen science participation on environmental beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of diverse youth. Expanded citizen science research to include a focus on interest in science, self-efficacy for science, and science identity among adult participants.
• Lekies: Project 1: "Understanding Long-Term Participation in Youth Development Programs" examines impacts of participation in an outdoor adventure recreation program for urban youth in Cleveland, Ohio. Interviews were conducted with adolescents and past participants now in their late 20's and early 30's to understand how individuals develop connection to nature, comfort in outdoor settings, interest in parks and outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. Data analysis is near completion and a report and several articles are under development. Project 3: "Determining the Gaps in Youth Water Education in the North Central Region." A survey was conducted with Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Educators and community partners about youth water education programs, barriers to programming, ages of youth served, and resources needed. The study was conducted in collaboration with Extension faculty and educators in the North Central region and is completed. Project 4: “Recommendations for wildlife conservation funding: Perspectives of current and future environmental professionals.” A survey was conducted with students and professionals in the environment and natural resources field in Ohio to understand interests in wildlife related outdoor recreation, barriers to participation, and recommendations for funding. Data analysis is near completion and a report and several articles are under development.
• Stein: Limited research has been conducted related to this goal. However, research related to non-users in Hillsborough County, Florida, did relate to improving opportunities for youth to be better connected to nature to improve environmental literacy.

Objective 3 (community resilience and vitality): Demonstrate and expand the evidence for the role of park and outdoor recreation services in promoting community vibrancy and resilience.

• Butler: Worked on community and site designs for rural WV communities and urban neighborhoods that seek to create healthy living environments that raise the local quality of life and vitalize communities.
• Fix: Initiated several projects to assess community stakeholders’ (e.g., local residents, business owners, elected officials) perceptions of how Bureau of Land Management Lands contribute to community resilience and vibrancy. Project locations included Kingman, AZ; Newcastle, WY; Vernal, UT, and communities surrounding Bears Ears National Monument.
• Park: Interdisciplinary research team conducted intensive literature reviews to explore and demonstrate the evidence for the role of parks and outdoor recreation services in promoting community resilience characterized by individual well-being and social cohesion. As a result, an online survey that aims to understand people’s experiences of parks and green spaces as well as their perceived well-being and community resilience was developed. The instrument went through beta-survey and sophisticated sampling design processes and is ready to be distributed.
• Stein: Research was conducted with Pinellas County, Florida, with extension, tourism, and land management professionals to identify how the Cooperative Extension Service can improve its capacity to expand ecotourism and sustainable recreation opportunities in the County.
• Wilhelm Stanis: Conducted research, published several articles (several more in submission), gave presentations (two were scheduled but canceled due to COVID-19), and applied for additional grant funding.

Training, professional development, and information dissemination

Objective 1: Health and well-being

Conference Presentations:

1. Besenyi, G.M., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schooley, B.L., Hallum, S.H., Wilcox, S. Kaczynski, A.T. (2020, February). The electronic Community Park Audit Tool (eCPAT): Using innovative partnerships to develop technology for park-based physical activity promotion. Presentation at the Active Living Conference, Orlando, FL.
2. Besenyi, G.M., Schooley, B.L., Hallum, S.H., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Wilcox, S. Kaczynski, A.T. (2020, April). The electronic Community Park Audit (eCPAT) System: A stakeholder value assessment of park resource technology. Accepted for presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA. (conference canceled)

1. Besenyi, G., Roth, K., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Schooley, B., Wilcox, S., Hallum, S., & Kaczynski, A.  (2020, October).  The electronic Community Park Audit Tool (eCPAT) system: Novel technology to evaluate and improve local parks for diverse stakeholders.  Accepted for presentation at the National Recreation and Park Association Conference, Orlando, FL. (conference canceled)

4. Betrabet Gulwadi, G., & Scholl, K. (November 2019). Student Wellness and Campus Green Spaces. Graduate College, University of Northern Iowa. Cedar Falls, IA.
5. Bowers, E. P., Larson, L. R., & Sandoval, A. M. (2021). The Great Outdoors: connection to nature and positive youth development. Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Annual Meeting. Virtual Conference: March 5-26, 2021. [Poster]
6. Henley; Klizentyte, K; and Stein, T.V. 2020. A comparative visitor assessment of the Florida National Scenic Trail and neighboring recreation areas: Why not the Florida National Scenic Trail? Poster presented at the Southeastern Recreation Research Symposium (Virtual), March, 2020.
7. Jiang, S. & Pawar, P. (Accepted). Environmental Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyle for West Virginian Communities: A Pilot Project. CELA2021 Conference Evolving Norms: Adapting Scholarship to Disruptive Phenomena."
8. Larson, L. (2021). Achieving equitable urban greening: lessons learned from the Green Heart study. The Great NC Tree Conference. Durham, NC: September 16-17, 2021. [Invited Speaker]
9. Larson, L., Bocarro, J., & Beall, J. (2021). Park and recreation management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Turning challenges into opportunities. North Carolina Parks and Recreation Association: The Works Conference. Virtual Event: April 2021. [Invited Speaker]
10. Larson, L., & Beall, J. (2021). 2020 Municipal & County Parks and Recreation Services Study (COVID Edition). North Carolina Park and Recreation Directors Annual Conference. Raleigh, NC (Virtual): Feb. 3-5, 2021. [Invited Speaker]
11. Lekies, K. (2020, May). The benefits of nature: Understanding impacts across the life span and among at-risk populations. NE 1962 Multistate Project annual meeting (online).
12. Liu, H.-L. & O’Farrell, P. (February 2020). Residents’ value regarding state parks and park use in South Dakota. The 2020 Academy of Leisure Sciences, Champaign, IL.
13. Scholl, K. (September 2020). Natural Environments as Learning Ecosystems, Resiliency, and Wellbeing. College of Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
14. Stein, T.V. 2021. COVID19 and Its Effects on Ecotourism. Presented at the 2021 Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism Annual Meeting. October 23, 2021. Online
15. Zeffren, C; Lepa, C.; and Stein, T.V. 2020. Understanding Visitors’ Diverse Motivations to a Water-based Recreation Area in the Wildland Urban Interface. Poster presented at the Southeastern Recreation Research Symposium (Virtual), March, 2020.

Other Trainings and Information Dissemination:

1. Fix: Graduate student Kimberly Diamond finalized her thesis related to a meta-analysis of the relationship between attainment of self-reported health benefits and site characteristics at over 20 Bureau of Land Management recreation areas.  In addition to Kimberly’s professional development, her thesis defense was attended by over 10 BLM employees.

17. Tiball: Provided multiple opportunities for residents of the Adirondacks to utilize Cooperative Extension to receive guidance and technical assistance in assisting veterans locate appropriate guides and resources for their unique needs when engaging in outdoor recreation as therapeutic. A specialized course for practitioners has been drafted and will be completed in 2021 that provides specific guidance for volunteer hosts of veterans and military families engage in outdoor recreation. A proposal has been circulated in NY State to provide an additional certification for hosting veterans and military families within the NY State Licensed Outdoor Guides program. Thus, a specific recommendation and opportunity for training and professional development is the development of state and/or federal training and certification in hosting, guiding or providing outdoor recreation for military service members and veterans, especially those with wounds or diagnosed with post traumatic stress.

Objective 2: Environmental literacy and stewardship

Conference Presentations:

1. Beall, J.*, Pedrozo, C.*, Larson, L. R., Schuttler, S., Kays, R., Cooper, C. B., Stevenson, K., & May, A. (2020). Citizen science positively impacts public support for wildlife conservation: Evidence from the NC Candid Critters project. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. Virtual Conference: September 28-October 2, 2020. [Presentation]
2. Busch, K. C., Chesnut, L., Chaves, R. A., Fraulo, A., Stevenson, K., Larson, L., Yelton, C., & Coscolluella, N. (2021). Assessing participant learning outcomes in science museums: Building capacity for collective evaluation. NARST International Conference. Virtual Conference: April 7-10, 2021. [Presentation]
3. Cooper, C., Lundgren, L., Allf, B.*, Futch, S.*, Larson, L., & Dunn, R. (2020). Across majors, undergraduates learn when assigned to participate in a citizen science project. Ecological Society of America (ESA) Virtual Meeting. August 36, 2020. [Presentation]
4. Foss, K. & Liu, H.-L. (February 2021). Let’s go outside together: New directions and opportunities of outdoor education. The 2021 Academy of Leisure Sciences (virtual).
5. Hougham, J., Lekies, K., & Bohrerova, Z. (Feb. 2020). Youth Water Education: Programs and Potential in the American Midwest. North Central Region Water Network Webinar Series.
6. Hougham, J., Lekies, K., Bohrerova, Z., Wood, C., Jaeger, K., Schroeder, B., Timmerman, A., Nardi, A., and Power, R. (2020, October). Youth water education: Programs and potential in the American Midwest. Presentation at the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents conference (online).
7. Larson, L. R., Rosa, C. D.*, Collado, S., Cloutier, S., & Cabicieri Profice, C. (2021). Gender differences in connection to nature, outdoor preferences, and nature-based recreation among college students in Brazil and the United States. TALS (The Academy of Leisure Sciences) 2021 Conference. Virtual from Indianapolis, IN: February 4-26, 2021. [Presentation]
8. Larson, L., Cooper, C., Allf, B., & Futch, S. (2020). Multi-project participation among citizen science volunteers benefits science and society. International Symposium on Society and Resource Management. Virtual Conference: July 11-26, 2020. [Presentation]
9. Lekies, K. S., Abou-Ghalioum, V., & Jayasinghe, I. (2021, June). Recommendations for wildlife conservation funding: Perspectives of current and future environmental professionals. Presentation at the International Association for Society and Natural Resources annual conference (online).
10. Lekies, K. S., Abou-Ghalioum, V., & Jayasinghe, I. (2021, November). Recommendations for wildlife conservation funding: Perspectives of current and future environmental professionals. Presentation for Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and National Wildlife Federation (online).
11. Liu, H.-L., & O’Farrell, P. (February 2020). Residents’ values regarding state parks and park use in South Dakota. The Academy of Leisure Sciences 2020 Conference, Champaign, IL.
12. Mascovich, K.*, Larson, L., & Andrews, K. (2020). Talking turtles: evaluating the relative efficacy of different field education programs at Jekyll Island, GA. 2020 Environmental Education Alliance Annual Conference. Jekyll Island, GA: March 6-8, 2020. [Presentation]

Other Trainings and Information Dissemination:

13. Larson, L. R. (2020). Understanding and enhancing public support for wildlife conservation. Warnell Graduate Student Symposium, University of Georgia. Athens, GA: Feb. 14, 2020. [Keynote Speaker]

Objective 3: Community resilience and vitality

Conference Presentations:

1. Larson, L., Rodriguez, L., & Schjeldahl, D. (2020). Making the case: Why focusing on youth engagement in the outdoors impacts every aspect of your community. 2020 Outdoor Economy Conference: Next Generation in the Outdoors. Virtual Conference in Asheville, NC: Oct. 22, 2020. [Invited Speaker for Panel Discussion]
2. Larson, L., Lee, K. J., & Fearn, M. (2020). The “dark” side of parks. North Carolina Park and Recreation Directors Annual Conference. Wilmington, NC: Feb. 5-7, 2020. [Invited Speaker & Session Organizer]
3. Mullenbach, L.E., Mowen, A.J., Baker, B.L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Piontek, E. (2020, March). Assessing the effects of social interaction in parks and public spaces on trust and civic participation among St. Louis residents. Accepted for presentation at the Southeast Environment and Recreation Research conference, Asheville, NC. (conference canceled).
4. Park, S., Making everyday landscapes special. NatureRx at UConn Mini Symposium: Connecting with nature for better well-being and mental health. October 1, 2021. Storrs, Connecticut.
5. Piontek, E., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Mallinak, A., Hall, D., & Nilon, C. (2020, February). Ecosystem services and environmental justice: urban green space benefits for all. Presentation at The Academy of Leisure Sciences Annual Conference, Urbana-Champaign, IL.
6. Piontek, E. & Wilhelm Stanis, S.A. (2020, April). Resident perceptions of ecosystem services: Benefits & costs of urban greenspace. Accepted for presentation at the National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium, Annapolis, MD. (conference canceled)
7. Piontek, E., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A. & Mullenbach, L.E. (2021, February). Interactional justice influences perceptions of park benefits. Presentation at the Academy of Leisure Sciences Annual Conference (online).
8. Stein, T.V.; Feyers, S.; Nelson, K.; and Klizentyte, K. 2019. Using the Extension Service to increase the capacity of ecotourism development in Florida, USA. Presented at the XXV IUFRO World Congress. September 29 to October 5, 2019. Curitiba, Brazil.
9. Stein, T.V.; Nelson, K.; and Feyers, S. 2019. Using the Extension Service to Increase the Capacity of Ecotourism Development in Florida. Emerging Agricultural Enterprises Summit: Crops, Livestock and Aquaculture. Gainesville, FL. December 9-10, 2019.
10. Zhang, P. and Park, S. Examining Environmental Equity by Public Park Provision in Post-industrial Cities: A Case Study in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Poster Presentation. The ACSP 60th Virtual Conference. November 5-8, 2020.
11. Zhang, P. and Park, S. Exploring the Role of Greening and Place-making in Vacant Lots Management for Addressing Environmental Injustice in Hartford, CT. The CELA Conference, March 18-21, 2020. Louisville, KY.

Other Trainings and Information Dissemination:

12. Stein, T.V. 2021. Incorporating Diverse Stakeholders into Tourism Planning in Hamilton County, Florida. Presented at the IUFRO World Day: Digital Forest Science Forum. September 28-29, 2021. On-line. Stein, T.V.; and Caldwell, V. 2021. Ecotourism in Florida: Current Status and Ideas to Make It Better. Presented to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transpiration, Tourism, and Economic Development University of Florida Site Visit. August 17, 2021.

Objective 1: Health and well-being

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles:

1. Barger, B., Larson, L. R., Ogletree, S., Torquati, J., Rosenberg, S., Johnson Gaither, C., Bartz, J. M., Gardner, A., Moody, E., & Schutte, A. (2020). Tree canopy coverage predicts lower conduct problem severity in children with ASD. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(1), 43-61. doi:10.1080/19315864.2020.1714824
2. Barger, B., Torquati, J., Larson, L. R., Bartz, J. M., Johnson-Gaither, C., Gardner, A., Moody, E., Rosenberg, S., Schutte, A., Murray, M., & Schram, B. (2021). Measuring greenspace effects on attention and stress in children and youth: a scoping review. Children, Youth and Environments, 31(1), 1-54. doi:10.7721/chilyoutenvi.31.1.0001
3. Bowers, E. P., Larson, L. R., & Parry, B. J. (2021). Nature as an ecological asset for positive youth development: empirical evidence from rural communities. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 688574. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.688574
4. Bowers, E. P., Larson, L. R., & Sandoval, A. M. (2019). Urban youth perspectives on the benefits and challenges of outdoor adventure camp. Journal of Youth Development, 14(4), 122-143. doi:10.5195/jyd.2019.809
5. Browning, M. H., Suppakittpaisarn P., Jiang, S., & Joseph, A. (2020). Human health assessments of green infrastructure design using virtual reality. Landscape Architecture Journal, 27(182), 35-49.
6. Browning, M. H. E. M., Larson, L. R., Sharaievska, I., Rigolon, A., McAnirlin, O., Mullenbach, L., Cloutier, S., Vu, T. M., Thomsen, J., Reigner, N., Metcalf, E. C., D’Antonio, A., Helbich, M., Bratman, G. N., & Alvarez, H. O. (2021). Psychological impacts from COVID-19 among university students: Risk factors across seven states in the United States. PLoS ONE, 16(1), e0245327. doi:1371/journal.pone.0245327
7. Groshong, L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Kaczynski, A.T., & Hipp, JA. (2020). Attitudes about perceived park safety among residents in low-income and high minority Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhoods. Environment and Behavior, 52(6), 639–665.
8. Groshong, L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., & Morgan, M. (2021). Perceptions of climate-change related health threats among state park visitors. Recreation, Parks and Tourism in Public Health 5, 37-64.
9. Ibes, D. C., Rakow, D. A., & Kim, C. H. (2021). Barriers to nature engagement for youth of color. Children, Youth and Environments, 31(3), xx-xx. http://www.jstor.org/action
10. Jackson, S. B.*, Stevenson, K. T., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., & Seekamp, E. (2021). Outdoor activity participation improved adolescents’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 2506. doi:10.3390/ijerph18052506
11. Jackson, S. B.*, Stevenson, K. T., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., & Seekamp, E. (2021). Connection to nature boosts adolescents’ mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 13, 12297. doi:10.3390/su132112297
12. Kil, N., Stein, T.V., Holland, S., Kim, J. J., Kim, J., and Petitte, S. 2021. The role of place attachment in recreation experience and outcome preferences among forest bathers. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 35,100410.
13. Liu, H.-L., Mehlhaf, J., & Gray. J. (2019). Public perceptions of parks and recreation services. Journal of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism in Public Health, 3, 17–26. https://doi.org/10.2979/rptph.3.1.03
14. Liu, H.-L., Lavender-Stott, E. S., Carotta, C. L., & Garcia, A. S. (2021). An exploration of leisure experience and participation and its contribution to stress-related growth amid COVID-19 pandemic. Leisure Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2021.1942526.
15. Maghlakelidze, M., Jiang, S., Song, Y., & Li, D. (2020). Playground trees’ impacts on children’s play behaviors: Recent comparative case studies. Landscape Architecture Journal. Landscape Architecture Journal, 27(182), 63-76.
16. Mullenbach, L. E., Larson, L. R., Floyd, M., Marquet, O., Huang, J., Alberico, C., & Hipp, J. A. (2021). Neighborhood built environment impacts park use of a diverse, low-income mothers with their children. Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 1(3), 98-100. doi: 51250/jheal.v1i3.16
17. Overby, T. A., Diekmann, F., & Lekies, K. S. (2021). Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Health. Doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1998390
18. Paudyal, R.; Stein, T.V.; and Swisher, M.E. 2020. Structural relations between motivations and site attribute preferences of Florida National Scenic Trail visitors. Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2019-10053
19. Rosa, C. D.*, Larson, L. R., Collado, S., & Profice, C. C. (2021). Forest therapy can prevent and treat depression: evidence from meta-analyses. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 57, 126943. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2020.126943

Other Publications:

20. Fix, P. J., McAllister, E., Garcia, R. A., Virden, R. J., Casey, T. T., & Tunnell, A. (2020). Logandale Trails Management Areas Outcomes-Focused Management (OFM) Recreation Study, Spring 2020. Project report for the BLM Las Vegas Field Office. BLM PLRRP Report #10. Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Natural Resources and Extension, Department of Natural Resources Management.
21. Garcia, R. A., Kelley, M. & Fix, P. J. (2021). Matanuska Greenbelt Trails Summer 2020 User Survey Results. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
22. Garcia, R. A. & Fix, P. J. (2021). Indian Creek 2020-21 Outcomes-Focused Management Survey Preliminary Summary Report. Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
23. Kimberly Diamond, M.S., 2021. Title of thesis: Understanding the outcomes focused management production process: meta-analysis of the relationship between activities, settings, and the benefits of recreation participation. Unpublished Masters’ Thesis, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
24. Liu, H.-L., Meendering, J., McCormack, L., & Dvorak, S. (in press). Join the team: Creating healthy rural communities in South Dakota through Community-based wellness coalitions. Interprofessional Collaboration in Parks, Recreation, and Human Services: Theory and Cases. Sagamore-Venture Publishing.
25. Tidball, KG. 2021. Ancient Medicine and the Sacred Hunting Hoop: Intentionally Designed Therapeutic Hunting Experiences for Returning Warriors. In Dustin, D., Bricker, K., Tysor, D., & Brownlee, M. [Eds.]. Outdoor Recreation and Our Military Family: Pathways to Recovery. Urbana, IL: Sagamore-Venture Publishing.
26. Tidball, KG. 2020. Rivers of Recovery: Fly-Fishing and Therapeutic Outcomes. In Dustin, D., Bricker, K., Tysor, D., & Brownlee, M. [Eds.]. Outdoor Recreation and Our Military Family: Pathways to Recovery. Urbana, IL: Sagamore-Venture Publishing.

Objective 2: Environmental literacy and stewardship

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles:

1. Beery, T. H., & Lekies, K. S. (2021). Nature’s services and contributions: The relational value of childhood nature experience and the importance of reciprocity. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9, Article 636944.
2. Hougham, J., Lekies, K., Bohrerova, Z., Wood, C., Jaeger, K., Schroeder, B., Timmerman, A., Nardi, A., and Power, R. (2020). Youth water education: Programs and potential in the American Midwest. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 75 (5) 117A-122A. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2020.0515A
3. Khadka, A., Li, C., Wilhelm Stanis, S. A., & Morgan, J.M. (2021). Unpacking the power of place-based education in climate change communication. Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 20(1), 77-91
4. Larson, L. R., Szczytko, R.*, Bowers, E. P., Stephens, L.*, Stevenson, K. T., Floyd, M. F.
5. (2019). Outdoor time, screen time, and connection to nature: troubling trends among rural youth? Environment & Behavior, 51(8), 966-991. doi:10.1177/0013916518806686
6. Larson, L. R, Cooper, C. B., Futch, S.*, Singh, D.*, Shipley, N. J., Dale, K., LeBaron, G., & Takekawa, J. (2020). The diverse motivations of citizen scientists: Does conservation emphasis grow as volunteer participation progresses? Biological Conservation, 242, 108428. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108428.
7. O’Farrell, P., Liu, H.-L., Carotta, C. L. (2021). Applying ecological model to explore the influential factors in children’s outdoor recreation participation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 13(3), 86-92. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2021-V13-I3-10695
8. O’Farrell, P., Liu, H.-L. (2020). Gateway to outdoors: Partnership and programming of outdoor education centers in urban areas. Education Sciences, 10 (11), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10110340
9. Rosa, C. D., Collado, S., Cabicieri Profice, C., Larson, L. R. (2019). Nature-based recreation associated with connectedness to nature and leisure satisfaction among students in Brazil. Leisure Studies, 38(5), 682-691. doi:10.1080/02614367.2019.1620842

Other Publications:

10. Foss, K., & Liu, H.-L. (2020). Connecting to nature: Assessment of outdoor recreation promotion programs in South Dakota. South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks, Pierre, SD.
11. Gullion, M. and Stein, T.V. 2019. Opening the Door to Nature: Accounting for People’s Constraints to Outdoor Recreation. FOR346. School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FR/FR41500.pdf
12. Larson, L. R., Pedrozo, C., Schuttler, S., Lasky, M., Kays, R., Cooper, C., & Stevenson, K. (2020). Evaluating learning and conservation activities of volunteers in the NC Candid Critters Citizen Science Project (pp. 41). Report prepared for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina State University, College of Natural Resources.
13. Miller, A. B., Larson, L. R., Wimpey, J., & Reigner, N. (2020). Outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship: the sustainable symbiosis. In S. Selin, L. K. Cerveny, D. J. Blahna, & A. B. Miller (Eds.), Igniting Research for Outdoor Recreation: Linking Science, Policy, and Action (General Technical Report PNW-GTR-987) (pp. 227-244). Portland, OR: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340610067_Outdoor_Recreation_and_Environmental_Stewardship_The_Sustainable_Symbiosis

Objective 3: Community resilience and vitality

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles:

1. Carnahan, A., Groshong, L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Balasubramanyam, V., & Kutty, A. (2020). Place-making and social justice: Practices for park improvements in a low-income African American neighborhood. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 38(3), 93-111.
2. Cothran, J. W., Bowker, J. M., Larson, L. R., Parajuli, R., Whiting, J. W., & Green, G. T. (2020). Fee hikes at state parks in Georgia: effects on visitation, revenue, welfare, and visitor diversity. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 38(3), 55-76. doi:18666/JPRA-2019-9726
3. Diejomaoh, C., Li, X., & Liu, H. L. (2020). Identifying destination image of rural areas: The case of Brookings, South Dakota. International Research in Business and Management, 15 (7), 1–9. http://doi:10.5539/ijbm.v15n7p1
4. Feyers, S.; Stein, T.V.; and Klizentyte, K. 2019. Bridging worlds: Utilizing a multi-stakeholder framework to create Extension-tourism partnerships. Sustainability, 12(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010080. (Special Issue: Outdoor Recreation, Nature-Based Tourism, and Sustainability)
5. Groshong, L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Morgan, M., & Li, C. (2020). Place attachment, climate friendly behavior and support for climate friendly management action among state park visitors. Environmental Management, 65, 98-110.
6. Harris, B.*, Schmalz, D., Larson, L., Fernandez, M., & Griffin, S. (2020). Contested spaces: Intimate segregation and environmental gentrification on Chicago’s 606 Trail. City & Community, 19(4), 933-962. doi:10.1111/cico.12422
7. Harris, B.*, Schmalz, D., Larson, L., & Fernandez, M. (2021). Fear of the unknown: examining neighborhood stigma’s effect on urban greenway use and surrounding communities. Urban Affairs Review, 57(4), 1015-1048. doi:10.1177/1078087420909529
8. Larson, L. R., Zhang, Z., Oh, J. I., Beam, W., Ogletree, S. S., Bocarro, J. N., Lee, K. J., Casper, J., Stevenson, K. T., Hipp, J. A., Mullenbach, L. E., Carusona, M., & Wells, M. (2021). Urban park use during the COVID-19 pandemic: are socially vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted? Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, 3, 710243. doi: 10.3389/frsc.2021.710243
9. Mullenbach, L.E., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Piontek, E., Mowen, A.J., & Baker, B.L. (2021). Centering environmental justice: Gentrification beliefs, attitudes, and support of park development in a shrinking city. Landscape and Urban Planning, 216, 104253.
10. Rigolon, A., Keith, S. J., Harris, B., Mullenbach, L. E., Larson, L. R., & Rushing, J. R. (2020). More than “just green enough”: Helping park professionals achieve equitable greening and limit environmental gentrification. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 38(3), 29-54. doi:18666/JPRA-2019-9654
11. Wu, I. C., Mathew A. & Liu, H.-L. (2021). A historical geospatial analysis of severe weather events in Oklahoma state parks: A park management perspective. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 39 (2). https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2020-10549
12. Xu, S., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Zhang, H., Groshong, L.; Morgan, M. (2021). Impact of travel distance and experience use history on visitors’ climate friendly behavior and support for climate friendly management action. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(6), 981-999.

Other Publications:

13. Brown, L., Basak-Smith, M., Bradley, K., Stearns, S., Morzillo, A. and Park, S. (2021) Exploring the Implications of Increased Rural Trail Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health, Planning, Equity and Inclusivity. CHOICES Special Issue.
14. Casey, T. T., Virden, R., Diamond, K., Garcia, R. A., & Fix, P. J. (2021). BLM Kingman Field Office Outcomes-Focused Management (OFM) Recreation Focus Group Study, 2021. Project report for the BLM Kingman, AZ Field Office. BLM PLRRP Report #13. Grand Junction, Colorado: Colorado Mesa University, Natural Resource Center, Department of Social and Behavioral Science.
15. Casey, T. T., Haas, D. J., Garcia, R. A., & Fix, P. J. (2020). Logandale Trails, Las Vegas, NV BLM Field Office Outcomes-Focused Management (OFM) Recreation Focus Group Study, 2020. Project report for the BLM Las Vegas Field Office. BLM PLRRP Report #11. Grand Junction, Colorado: Colorado Mesa University, Natural Resource Center, Department of Social and Behavioral Science.
16. Fix, P. J., Garcia, R. A., Kelley, M., Virden, R. J., & Casey, T. T. (2021). Northeast Wyoming BLM Lands Outcomes-Focused Management Recreation Study, Spring 2021. Project report for the BLM Newcastle Field Office. BLM PLRRP Report #12. Fairbanks, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.