Embedded Files
In 1962, the national Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission issued a report to the President and to the Congress titled "Outdoor Recreation for America." The report examined outdoor recreation in America's history, its place in current American life, and its future. It represented a detailed investigation of what the public does in the outdoors, what factors affect its choices, what resources are available for its use, and identified present and future needs for enhancing recreation opportunities and benefits.
Although a lot has changed in the 50 years since that report (the last of its kind) was release, outdoor recreation remains a key component of modern American society. Research reveals that outdoor recreation, parks and other green environments improve quality of life, promote environmental stewardship and enhance community well-being. However, there are important gaps in understanding about the extent of and means by which these human-nature outcomes occur. Similar voids exist in knowledge of the dynamics that motivate, constrain, and sustain outdoor recreation activity among various population groups. Furthermore, the role of outdoor recreation, parks and other green environments needs additional examination in the context of the socio-ecological systems in which they are embedded. Equally as important, implications of existing research have not permeated the policy arena, community planning or professional training programs. Indeed, since 1962, a comprehensive review of outdoor recreation resources and opportunities in America has never been conducted.
We have come together as a Multistate Research Group to improve understanding of the links between parks and green spaces, outdoor recreation, health, environmental literacy and community vitality. Knowledge from this research will provide the basis for evidence-based practices and policies at national, state and local levels. Further, promoting active and healthy lifestyles among children will improve future generations' quality of life. Studies show that children who spend time outdoors are more physically active than their indoor counterparts, but little research addresses children's outdoor play time as it relates specifically to health outcomes and environmental literacy. This project will attempt to fill the research void by examining the extent to which diminished contact with nature contributes to increases in childhood obesity and allied illnesses, and decreases in environmental literacy. Increasing environmental literacy will also increase citizens' and policy makers' ability to make responsible informed decisions about the environmental future.
To view more information about the groups and past annual reports, visit: https://nimss.org/projects/view/mrp/outline/18962
Why the multi-state approach?
Why the multi-state approach?
A Multi-state effort, will allow (a) the assessment of many more settings, which will reveal patterns in outdoor physical activity, literacy and community resilience according to geographic region, place characteristics and demographic groupings, (b) replication in different environments to assess the robustness of results, (c) establishment of baseline data for the tracking of trends, (d) multidisciplinary research, including the fields of health, public health, nutrition and geography and (e) understanding of the extent to which outcomes generalize to broad classes of mechanisms and experiences.
What are the expected impacts of this collaborative effort?
What are the expected impacts of this collaborative effort?
We expect this work to lead to improvements in the health of Americans, which will in turn decrease national health care costs due to the prevention of illnesses known to be associated with obesity, lack of physical activity and diminished contacts with nature. Promoting active and healthy lifestyles and environmental literacy among youth will improve future generations' quality of life. Quality of life will also be promoted from this research by supporting vibrant and resilient communities, in which outdoor recreation opportunities and green infrastructure serve not only to protect and sustain ecosystems but also to provide ecological, economic, social, physical and psychological services upon which human health depends. We expect this work to have broad positive effects on human, community and ecological health. Ultimately we believe that our work will:
Generate transformative research that positions parks, green spaces and outdoor recreation as key components of a sustainable and healthy future
Create and cultivate relationships among researchers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and foundations to help support sustainable park and outdoor recreation systems
Enhance effective education, communication and promotion of the value of parks, green spaces and outdoor recreation across diverse populations.
What specific outputs are associated with this multi-state project?
What specific outputs are associated with this multi-state project?
Regular meetings with multistate group, including annual in-persona gathering and virtual interactions throughout the year
Website that serves as hub for information sharing, including repository for research studies, instruments, and measures related to parks, outdoor recreation, health and well-being, environmental literacy, and community resiliency.
Project Synthesis papers and presentations for professional associations, such as the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professional (SORP) & National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and for dissemination to practitioners.
Standardized 1-2 page factsheets on study findings that will be distributed to recreation program managers at various government agencies (local, state and federal) and nongovernmental organizations.
Workshops, symposia, or conference sessions that connect researchers, extension specialists, and practitioners to present the mechanisms by which parks and other green environments support (1) human health, (2) environmental literacy and (3) community vibrancy and resiliency, as well as fostering continued and new engagement in this Multistate Research Project.
Student participation and engagement in the Multistate Group to enhance networking and professional development opportunities
External funding from agency, foundation, and/or corporate sponsors to support Multistate research efforts and objectives
Current Participants
Current Participants
Our group includes participants from universities across the United States. For a complete list of current participants and affiliations, see the Google Sheet below.
If you are a member of the Multi-state Group, you may report annual project activities, research products, and your information directly on this Google Sheet and access annual reporting forms and templates below:
Please complete these forms for each annual reporting period (Oct 1 - Sept 30) and send them to ne1962multistate@gmail.com.
FAQs
FAQs
NE1962 FAQ-2019 updated.pdfNE 1962 Poster 2017-2022.pdfGoogle Sites
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