Fewer Hikers, Fewer Conservation dollars?

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Recent studies have shown a decrease in strenuous outdoor nature recreation activities such as hiking and backpacking. To someone who prefers uncrowded trails, that might sound like a good thing, but a recent study in PloS One, a research report site, shows that decline might have a negative impact on conservation groups.

The study, conducted by Oliver Pegams, visiting research assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Patricia Zaradic, director of the Red Rock Institute in Pennsylvania and Peter Kareiva, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, showed that “the type and timing of nature experience may determine future conservation investment.”

The study showed that people who spend their time hiking or backpacking often increase their conservation contributions more than a decade later. According to the study, that translates to $200 to $300 annually per person in future contributions.

- Deb Acord

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