Martha E. Lee, Ph.D. - Professor  

lee Research Interests

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.

Education

B.S., Utah State University, 1975
M.S., Oregon State University, 1982
Ph.D., Oregon State University, 1991

Contact Information

Office: Building 82 - Room 241
Phone: 928.523.6644
Email: Martha.Lee@nau.edu  

Selected Publications

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, inc.

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, Albany, CA.

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.