Martha E. Lee, Ph.D. - Professor
Wildland recreation, recreation behavior
Benefits of Leisure and Recreation
A benefit is defined as an improved condition or the prevention of a worse condition.
Benefits of leisure and recreation engagements can be realized by individuals (e.g.,
improved physical and psychological well-being), groups of individuals (strengthened
bonds among family and friends), communities (economic gain from tourism), society
(the cumulative effects of individual and group benefits), and the environment (a
result of a stronger environmental ethic among individuals).
While the benefits of some leisure activities involving physical exercise have been
well documented, less is known about benefits gained from recreation in wildland
recreation settings managed by federal agencies such as the National Park Service,
Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service.
We are involved in pilot efforts to document various types of benefits and determine
the factors that contribute to their realization. We then use this information in
cooperation with land managers to develop benefits-based management objectives for
recreation management whereby managers potentially can facilitate realization of
desired visitor benefits while protecting resources to provide for the enjoyment
of future visitors.
B.S., Utah State University, 1975
M.S., Oregon State University, 1982
Ph.D., Oregon State University, 1991
Office: Building 82 - Room 241
Hultine, K.R. J. Belnap, C. van Riper III, J.R. Ehleringer, P.E. Dennison, M.E.
Lee, P.L. Nagler, K.A. Snyder, S.M. Uselman, and J.B. West. 2010. Tamarisk biocontrol
in the western United States: Ecological and societal implications. Frontiers in
Ecology and the Environment 8(9):467-474.
Lee, M. and B. Stafford. 2008. Application of OFM on the Red Rock Ranger District
of the Coconino National Forest. Pp. 229-238 in Driver, B. L. (Ed.), Managing to
optimize the beneficial outcomes of recreation. State College, PA: Venture Publishing,
Perez-Verdin, G.; M. Lee; and D. Chavez. 2008. Planeación de la recreación forestal
en áreas nasturales protegidas del sur de Durango, Mexico (Planning forest recreation
in two natural protected areas of southern Durango, México). Madera y Bosques 14(1):53-67.
Kolb, T., E. Friginal, M. Lee, N. Tracy-Venture, and J. Grieve. 2008. Teaching writing
within forestry. Proceedings, Seventh Biennial Conference on University Education
in Natural Resources, March 13-15, 2008, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Permanent
citation URL: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8085
Perez-Verdin, G., M. E. Lee, and D. J. Chavez. 2008. The dual role of local residents
in the management of natural protected areas in Mexico. Pp. 3-22 in, Chavez, D.J.,
P.L. Winter, and J.D. Absher (Eds), Recreation visitor research: Studies of diversity.
USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rept. PSW-GTR-210. Pacific Southwest Research Station,
Perez-Verdin, G., M. E. Lee, and D. J. Chavez. 2008. Use of the recreation opportunity
spectrum in natural protected area planning and management. Pp. 23-38 in, Chavez,
D.J., P.L. Winter, and J.D. Absher (Eds), Recreation visitor research: Studies of
diversity. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rept. PSW-GTR-210. Pacific Southwest Research
Station, Albany, CA.
Glidden, N. J. and M. E. Lee. 2007. Inter-observer agreement of a multi-parameter
campsite monitoring program on the Dixie National Forest, Utah. Pp. 331-338 in,
Watson, A.; J. Sproull, and L. Dean, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and
sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium. USDA Forest
Service Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Ft. Collins, CO.