UAF surveys Interior residents about recreation
June 9, 2014
907-474-5042
6/9/14
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks need the public's help to understand opportunities, needs and desires for outdoor recreation.
"What we do in our free time is very important to people," said Peter Fix, associate professor of outdoor recreation management. "It affects our quality of life. It is essential to families, relationships and health."
Fix has teamed up with the Bureau of Land Management to create a survey to examine how Fairbanks-area residents hope to benefit from recreation in the Interior.
While agencies tend to report on numbers of visitors or numbers of campgrounds, numbers alone don't show the positive impact camping has on people, Fix explained. “We’ll look at beneficial outcomes to society,” he said. “A key here is that we will look at net recreation benefits, recognizing that managing for one group might detract from other uses. We are not advocating for any particular position.
“People want to recreate in different settings. There is a balance between what they want and what we are providing.”
The online survey is live through June 30. Participants will describe outdoor recreation trips, routines and goals. Participation helps the researchers plan for quality outdoor recreation opportunities.
People who take the survey will be entered in a drawing for 20 $30 gift certificates to a local outdoor retailer. Visit http://tinyurl.com/q3ybano to take the survey.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Peter Fix at pjfix@alaska.edu or graduate student Bryant Wright at rbwright@alaska.edu.
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