Rangeland Recreation

1. Rangeland Recreation Jen Peterson

2. Recreational on rangeland is increasing • Changing recreation types • Upward trend in thrill-based activities like rock climbing • Technology is allowing new types of recreation (i.e., off-road vehicles) • Hunting - still a major sport but decreasing • Traditional activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding continue strong and growing

3. Demographics favor recreation on public lands • Urbanization has created a populations with a desire to “get out of town” & enjoy nature • Most people now live in towns/cities did not grow up on farms & have few rural connections. • Recreation is one of their few connections with the land. • Growing willingness to spend money on recreation.

4. Economically Potent • Pros • Cons

5. Often perceived as “benign” • People don’t see impact of their individual activity • Cumulative impacts are serious but there is little one person can do to reduce or increase this impact • Lack of data - many people don’t realize or notice the impact that recreation has on the land. • Impacts of specific types of recreation vary – some are very hard on the land and others are quite benign.

6. Extractive vsAmenity uses • Varying impacts: • Extractive = removal of something from environment • Amenity = enjoyment, comfort • Education plays a role in affecting impacts • Recreation may be some peoples only contact with nature

7. Impacts of recreational uses - Positive • Economics to community • Economics for resource improvement & protection • $$ to lessen impact • Education “connection to land” • Trail development for wildlife and livestock • Weed & fire monitoring . • Monitoring dumping/trash (self policing) • Hunting/fishing to maintain wildlife/fish

8. Impacts of recreational uses - Positive • Economics to community • Economics for resource improvement & protection • $$ to lessen impact • Education “connection to land” • Trail development for wildlife and livestock • Weed & fire monitoring . • Monitoring dumping/trash (self policing) • Hunting/fishing to maintain wildlife/fish

9. Impacts of recreational uses - Negative • Death of wildlife (abandon young) • Attracts animals to people (dangerous) • Fire • Weeds • Erosion & compaction • Water contamination • Disturbing with wildlife • Displacing wildlife (water and forage) • Trash and other dangers • Can alter habitat (human browse line)

10. Impacts of recreational uses - Negative • Death of wildlife (abandon young) • Attracts animals to people (dangerous) • Fire • Weeds • Erosion & compaction • Water contamination • Disturbing with wildlife • Displacing wildlife (water and forage) • Trash and other dangers • Can alter habitat (human browse line)

11. For Example – Impact on Wildlife Effect of Hikers on Mule Deer Study by Knight & Miller –Boulder, Colorado

12. For Example – Impact on Wildlife Effect of Hikers on Vesper Sparrow Study by Miller & Knight –Boulder, Colorado

13. For Example – Impact on Wildlife Effect of Hikers vs Mountain Bikers on Bison, Deer & Pronghorn Study by Miller & Knight –Antelope Island, Utah

14. Can Wildlife Adjust? • Leaned response • Avoidance -- • Attraction -- • Habituation -- • Genetic response

15. Conflicts Between Recreationists • Motorized vs non-motorized • Sound, litter, etc. • Presence of other people • Impacts

16. Management Approaches • Rest • Close roads and trails • Adjust seasons • Limit areas of activity

17. Management Approaches • Change intensity • No fire use • Bad roads • Limited facilities • Fees • Foot only ... not motorized vehicles • Increase available facilities • Designate uses on specific areas

18. Survey of New Mexico Citizens • Percentages of New Mexico Citizens Ranking: • Environmental Preservation • Commerce • Recreation • as the Most Important Priority for Public Land Management