Outdoor Resources Review Group - Publications
The documents posted below provide information on key conservation and recreation resources in the United States, as well as summaries of important federal funding and financing programs. They make available survey data on federal lands and national state, and local parks; highlight movements in supply of and demand for these resources; and review issues of current concern and an outlook for the future.
Reports
The State of the Great Outdoors: America's Parks, Public Lands, and Recreation Resources
This report provides information on natural landscapes as public goods by summarizing trends in outdoor recreation resources supply over the past quarter century, assessing and reviewing a variety of measures of the demand for outdoor recreation.
Great Outdoors America: The Report of the Outdoor Resources Review Group
In this report, The Outdoor Resources Review Group has provided their best recommendations on how the government and Americans everywhere can help preserve and benefit from the Great American Outdoors.
Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Program: Primary Land Retirement Programs for Promoting Farmland Conservation
Together, the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetland Reserve Program have retired over 35 million acres.
Current Policy and Legal Issues Affecting Recreational Use of Public Lands in the American West
Federally owned and managed public lands occupy approximately 30 percent of the land area of the United States, and anywhere from 50 percent to more than 80 percent of the land area of many of the western states.
Summary Table: Federal Conservation and Recreation Funding Programs
The purpose of this summary table is to identify major federal programs that provide funding in support of conservation and recreation objectives.
Parks and Recreation in the United States: Local Park Systems
The United States has 53 national parks and over 6,600 state park sites, but many outdoor pursuits often begin at the playground around the corner, the nature center down the road, or the sports fields at a nearby recreation area
Use of Time for Outdoor Recreation in the United States, 1965–2007
This study examines time-use for outdoor recreation during 1965 to 2007.
Outdoor Recreation, Health, and Wellness: Understanding and Enhancing the Relationship
To help policymakers take new and emerging findings into account when designing recreation and park services and initiatives for the 21st century, this paper summarizes the salient issues and identifies research gaps.
Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation Resources
Americans who like to play outdoors may soon find that climate change-induced warming trends around the nation will put some of their favorite recreational retreats in jeopardy.
Current Challenges, Funding, and Popularity Trends in State Parks: Responses to a Survey of Park Directors
As part of a broader research study of conservation, recreation, and open space and in support of the bipartisan review commission, the Outdoor Resources Review Group, Resources for the Future conducted a survey of state park directors in the fall of 2008.
Current Challenges, Funding, and Popularity Trends in Local Parks and Recreation Areas: Responses to a Survey of Park Directors
As part of a broader research study of conservation, recreation, and open space and in support of the bi-partisan review commission, the Outdoor Resources Review Group, Resources for the Future conducted a survey of city and county parks and recreation department directors in the fall of 2008.
Federal Funding for Conservation and Recreation: Trails Funding by the Department of Transportation
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) has emerged as the largest single source of funding for multiuse paths and trails in the United States.
Parks and Recreation in the United States: State Park Systems
In this Resources for the Future (RFF) backgrounder, we provide some history about state parks, discuss the variation in acreage, facilities, and funding for parks across states, and show trends in state park visitation over time in the United States.
Parks and Recreation in the United States: The National Park System
In this backgrounder, we provide a brief history of the Park Service, show trends in land acreage managed by the bureau and visitation at National Park Service sites over time, show funding trends, and present the challenges and issues facing the Park Service today.
Federal Funding for Conservation and Recreation: The Land and Water Conservation Fund
In this backgrounder, we provide some history of the LWCF, describe how the program works, show trends in funding over time, and assess the current status of the program and challenges for the future.
The Policy Path to the Great Outdoors: A History of the Outdoor Recreation Review Commissions
This paper provides an overview of two Commissions, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission and the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, and outlines some considerations to address today.