The contribution that urban nature parks can make to city dwellers’ personal health is significant in light of three current trends. First, more Americans live in cities today than ever before. Second, participation in outdoor recreation has been decreasing. Third, Americans are increasingly spending leisure time in sedentary pursuits, resulting in high rates of obesity and related health complications. We surveyed 184 residents of Portland, Oregon using a mail and web-based questionnaire. Two hypotheses were tested. H1: There will be a positive association between use of Portland’s nature parks and self-reported physical health. H2: There will be a positive association between use of Portland’s nature parks and self-reported emotional/psychological health. We found a positive relationship between park use and one of our physical health measures. H2 was not supported. Though not generalizable, our results support prior research suggesting a connection between urban green space and physical and emotional/psychological health among city dwellers.
This paper presents a conceptual discussion of the relationship between urban and urban proximate nature areas, recreation and spiritual experiences. The paper's discussion is grounded in scholarship that proposes links between nature-based recreation, spirituality and general health. Though prior scholarship has occurred primarily in the context of wilderness and remote area recreation, some scholarship has focused on urban green spaces like gardens. This paper adopts an urban nature spaces focus in response to the phenomenon of increasing global urbanization. Many city residents often have limited access to remote nature sites that offer healthy responses to the stresses of urban living. Urban green space may provide similar salubrious experiences as remote settings and have the added advantage of being conveniently located for city dwellers. By considering the potential contribution of urban natural spaces to spiritual experiences, scholars and natural resource managers can further develop a more integrated and comprehensive understanding of the costs and benefits of urban nature to inform management discussions.
This first nationwide study of US Forest Service (USFS) law enforcement officers (LEOs) examined respondents' roles in the USFS, what they perceived as their highest work priority, and what their relationship with the rest of the USFS should be. Results show that LEOs believe they have a high priority for protecting forest users and they believe that National Forest System line officers have higher priorities for protecting resources, employees, and public property. LEOs are evenly divided about whether their authority and jurisdiction are adequate for what they feel is expected or demanded of them. Results suggest a need for change in budgeting, staffing, and communicating organizational priorities. Despite these concerns, many LEOs expressed a desire to work for the public good, keep visitors safe, and protect the land base.
