Sustaining Wildlife With Recreation on Public Lands

A Synthesis of Research Findings, Management Practices, and Research Needs

by USDA Forest Service

Humans and wildlife interact in multifaceted ways on public lands with both positive and negative outcomes for each group. When managed well, wildlife-based tourism and other forms of recreation can benefit conservation goals. Public lands planners and managers often must decide how to best manage recreational activities and wildlife habitats that overlap spatially and temporally. We conducted an extensive literature review and categorized recreational activity into five types based on the use of motorized equipment, season, and location (terrestrial vs. aquatic), expanding on findings summarized in prior reviews. Our findings provide a reference for public lands planners and managers who need information about how wildlife species respond to recreational activities and to associated changes in their habitats. We also describe management principles gleaned from the literature and outline priority research and administrative study areas to advance our understanding of recreation-wildlife interactions.

Keywords: Wildlife, outdoor recreation, habitat, public lands, synthesis.

Published December 2020

More articles in this category

Guidelines for Managing and Restoring Natural Plant Communities along Trails and Waterways

posted Sep 18, 2023

These guidelines are designed to assist resource managers in conducting management activities that enhance the quality of natural plant communities, wildlife habitat, regional landscape integrity and visual quality, particularly as related to planning, development, and maintenance of trails, water trails, and water access sites.

Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study

posted Feb 14, 2023

The primary goal of this study was to understand who uses the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), how they use it, their preferences, and the economic impact of the CDT in the region. Additional data were also collected regarding protecting public lands and using the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.

Improving Accessibility on Public Lands

posted Jul 8, 2022

Recommendations from American Trails

Are horses responsible for introducing non-native plants along forest trails in the eastern United States?

posted Jul 1, 2021

Horses have been suggested to be an important source for the introduction of non-native plant species along trails, but the conclusions were based on anecdotal evidence.