Thesis (M.P.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 15, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-83).

Thesis--University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 99).

Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala universitet, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 226-231).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1961. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-154).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2006. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-68). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Bowling Green State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78).

This thesis evaluates a range of policy analysis techniques for application to an issue of policy choice. Divergent premises of two policy alternatives are defined and evaluated using policy impact analysis techniques. The two policy alternatives concern revenue recovery for the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation public use cabin (PUC) program. The lack of a mechanism to recover revenues from program user fees is the primary constraint for the operation and development of the PUC program. The Division has proposed that the Alaska Legislature authorize the implementation of a program receipts policy. Because past legislative initiatives for program receipts have failed, Division staff have proposed implementation of a concessionaire strategy. This thesis determines which policy would ensure the continued operation and development of the PUC program. Classification analysis is used to categorize the operational strengths and weaknesses of each policy, and agency influence over these characteristics. Assumptional analysis is used to define the divergent premises of policy makers. These premises are developed as scenarios of program operations within the framework of a structured policy debate. The impacts of the scenarios are forecast using policy impact analysis techniques, and recommendations are made for an optimum policy strategy. A significant weakness of the program receipts policy is that it is uncertain whether it will be authorized by the Legislature. The failure of Legislative authorization is forecast to have significant mid-term impacts on the PUC program. The primary impact would be the deterioration of facilities; combined with further budget cutbacks, the Division may be forced to abandon the PUC program. Implementation of a concessions strategy would provide a viable alternative for program operations and development. Therefore, concessionaire operation is recommended as a contingency strategy to the program receipts policy. The methods applied to this case study are useful for either the development of, or the critical evaluation of policy directives. The techniques of assumptional analysis or the structured policy debate can be used to identify the assumptions and premises of policy makers. The structured policy debate also provides a means to check the logic of a policy argument. Policy impact analysis provides a means of forecasting or measuring the outcome of implementation. Taken together, the techniques provide for a normative evaluation of issues of policy choice. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Hong Kong students regarding their experiential encounters and interactions in the natural environment on Vancouver Island and attempt to discover what impact these experiences had on their process of adapting to a new culture. Three participants took part in an unstructured interview session where they shared their personal outdoor stories spanning their life in Hong Kong and in Canada. This was joined with a photo elicitation task to help recall and gain further in-depth insights into their outdoor narratives. The transcripts that resulted, where analysed using inquiry justifications, personal, practical and social (Lindsay & Schwind, 2016). The resulting themes were cultural adaption through socialization, exploration and stability, experiences in nature and access to nature. This study contributes the unique voice of students from Hong Kong and their experiences with nature in Canada and how it has affected their cultural adaption. / Graduate

Outdoor recreation was established in Sweden about 100-150 years ago and its practices and organization were at that time dominated by a white male upper class. Today, Swedish outdoor recreation is guided by public policy, imploring for everyone’s equal value, and right to experience and be outdoors, regardless of age, color, or gender. Data from Statistics Sweden however show that persons born in Sweden are active in outdoor recreational activities to a higher degree than persons born outside Sweden. The data, undeniably, confirm that Swedish immigrants are taking part at a lower rate in outdoor recreation than those who are born in Sweden. Although the topic is relevant, there is still limited data about Swedish immigrants’ outdoor recreational patterns. This study thus aims to fill this research gap by exploring how perceptions of (in)justice emerge in Swedish immigrants’ outdoor recreational patterns and how it may influence their motivation to participate in outdoor recreation. The study employs the theoretical lens of Environmental Justice (EJ). Few studies have used EJ to analyze access to outdoor recreation. This approach, therefore, offers a unique way of analyzing (in)justice issues in the Swedish outdoor context. This is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews which were conducted with eighteen Swedish immigrants. A narrative analysis was employed as it allowed the researcher to explore perceived (in)justices experienced by Swedish immigrants and offers a way of investigating the lived experiences of individuals. The results of the study show that the outdoors is less accessible to immigrants due to a distributive injustice of benefits, lack of representation and recognition, and lack of just participation in decision-making processes These perceived injustices prevent Swedish immigrants from participating equally and fairly in the outdoors and influences their motivations to recreate.

Outdoor recreation is a robust pillar of local, state, and national economies as well as a critical component of residents’ quality of life. Recognition of the economic power of the outdoor industry, fused with the growing desire for greater outdoor recreation opportunities, has inspired more than 11 states to establish state offices of outdoor recreation. The organizational structure and mission of each office is tailored to each state, varying from temporary task forces, councils, and commissions to more permanent offices or advisory positions. These offices, though embedded within various sectors of state government, often coordinate across or blend the functions of economic development, tourism, and land management, ultimately providing innovative opportunities for collaboration. While the state offices universally seek to develop the outdoor recreation economy, that economy fundamentally relies on access to natural landscapes, the vast majority of which are managed by the federal land management agencies in the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of this study is to explore how these state offices have evolved and now operate, including their formation, goals and programs, internal organization and resources, and external partnerships. Through comprehensive interviews with each office’s leadership, our research provides a baseline understanding of the role of these new offices and addresses their partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. I discuss challenges each office has faced, best practices, and recommendations for future collaboration. The findings of this research will better inform the National Park Service and other federal land management agencies on opportunities to support shared recreation and conservation goals. Together, the newly created state offices of outdoor recreation and the stewards of their public lands can promote and enhance the economic, social, and environmental benefits of outdoor recreation.