1. Rangeland Recreation
REM Integrated Rangeland Management

2. Recreational on rangeland is increasing
Changing recreation types
Upward trend in thrill-based activities like rock climbing and base jumping
Technology is allowing new types of recreation
off-road vehicles, GPS, etc.
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 population with a desire to “get out of town” & enjoy nature
Few people now living in towns/cities grew up on farms & have few rural connections.
Recreation is one way they can connect with the nature
Growing willingness to spend money on recreation.

4. Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
Economically Potent
Pros
Cons
There are 16 slides in this presentation

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 vs Amenity uses
Varying impacts:
Extractive = removal of something from environment
Amenity = enjoyment, comfort
Education plays a role in affecting impacts
Recreation may be some people’s 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 - Negative
Death of wildlife (abandon young)
Attracts animals to people (dangerous)
Fire
Weeds
Erosion & compaction
Water contamination
Disturbing the wildlife
Displacing wildlife (water and forage)
Trash and other dangers
Can alter habitat (human browse line)

9. For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Effect of Hikers on Mule Deer
WILDLIFE RESPONSES TO PEDESTRIANS AND DOGS: Final Report. 1996
Submitted to City of Boulder Open Space Department by Richard L. Knight and Scott G. Miller
Study by Knight & Miller –Boulder, Colorado 1996
There are 16 slides in this presentation

10. For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Effect of Hikers on Vesper Sparrow
Miller, S.G., R.L. Knight, and C.K. Miller Wildlife Responses to Pedestrians and Dogs. Wildlife Society Bulletin 2001, 29(1):
Miller, Knight, and Miller Wildlife Responses to Pedestrians and Dogs. Wildlife Soc. Bull. 29(1):
There are 16 slides in this presentation

11. For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
For Example – Impact on Wildlife
Alert Distance
Effect of Hikers vs Mountain Bikers on Bison, Deer & Pronghorn
at Antelope Island, Utah
Flight Distance
Taylor, Audrey R., and Richard L. Knight WILDLIFE RESPONSES TO RECREATION AND ASSOCIATED VISITOR PERCEPTIONS. Ecological Applications 13:951–963
Distance Moved
Deer ON and OFF tail
Taylor and Knight Wildlife response to recreation and associated visitor perceptions. Ecol. Appl. 13:951–963.
There are 16 slides in this presentation

12. How do wildlife respond & adjust?
Learned response
Avoidance --
Attraction --
Habituation --
Genetic response

13. Conflicts Between Recreationists
Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
Conflicts Between Recreationists
Motorized vs non-motorized
Sound, litter, etc.
Presence of other people
Impacts
There are 16 slides in this presentation

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

15. 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

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

17. Recreation Spectrum of opportunity and conflict Required Not Welcome
Will require:
Compromise
New Livestock Management Plans
Listening to Understand

18. Recreation
Wilderness visitor evaluation of encounters that affect the visitor experience. (n=577)
Detracts (%)
Neutral (%)
Adds
(%)
Other Visitors 54 32 14
Rangers 7 42 51
Cowboys w/ cattle 62 24 13
Anglers/hunters 37 47 16
Backpackers 55
Outfitters 65 28
Wildlife
<1 99
Cattle 68 22 10
Sheep 66 23 11
Dogs 48 40 12
Horse/mules 34 15
Other packstock 45 44
Can’t deny that livestock can affect recreationists.
But, don’t make assumptions.
“Operations on these lands are governed by a management philosophy that appreciated complexity and the vital role of each species from the large predators to the smallest soil microbe. We feel that economic activates like grazing and recreation must be subordinate to the needs of a healthy ecosystem. And that although we have had the honor of managing lands owned by the American public for five generations, we have no ownership right to these lands. Our tenure on the land should be based on our ability to successfully meet three criteria: protection and enhancement of ecosystem health, recognition and application of public goals and, finally, to produce healthy food for a growing population.” Jim Winder in The art of Resource Management in the Chihuahuan Desert (on the Quivira Coalition web page)
The New Ranch is a place where cooperation has replaced confrontation, where common interests and common sense prevail, where environmentalists might come for supper.
Johnson, Wallace & Mitchell. 1997

19. Rangeland Recreation Conflicts
Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission

20. Range Plants -- OBJ 2: PPT
Economic Impacts
Ecological Impact
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
2 Questions for today?
How to use economic benefit to reduce ecological detriment?
How to use ecological benefit to reduce economic detriment?
There are 16 slides in this presentation

21. Rangeland Recreation
REM Integrated Rangeland Management