Social scientist and professor of recreation management Robert Manning of the University of Vermont has published a couple of books in the past two years that park managers may find useful. The first, released in 2011, is the third edition of Studies in Outdoor Recreation: Search and Research for Satisfaction. For 25 years this work has served as an important reference for park and recreation managers and a standard text in college courses. It reviews social science research on outdoor recreation and synthesizes it into a body of knowledge that not only provides a historical perspective on the research but also further develops the practical management implications of this knowledge. This edition is fully revised to reflect current research and new field concerns. A new chapter examines the emerging issue of sense of place and its relationship to outdoor recreation. The book concludes with 20 principles to guide outdoor recreation management and research. An extensive bibliography of nearly 2,000 entries and a related appendix help guide readers to valuable primary source material. The book is published by Oregon State University Press in Corvallis.

The second work, written with Laura E. Anderson, a postdoctoral associate with the Rubenstien School of Environment and Natural Resources and Park Studies Laboratory at the University of Vermont, examines strategies for managing outdoor recreation in ways that protect the integrity of park resources and the quality of the visitor experience. Organized in three parts, the book is both theoretical and practical in its approach. Part I outlines potential impacts from outdoor recreation, describes the range of management strategies and practices that can be employed, and develops a series of matrices to help guide management choices. Part II analyzes 20 case studies of successful outdoor recreation management in the national parks. They exemplify a wide variety of contemporary issues from many parks: crowding, road congestion, visitor safety around wildlife, protecting water quality, trampling of vegetation and soil compaction, excessive noise, light pollution, and looting of cultural artifacts. The solutions offered cover a range of management tactics: the development of effective educational programs and informational materials; innovative design of trails, campsites, facilities, and services; use of rules, regulations, and zoning; and the equitable allocation of and access to particular kinds of activities. The final section discusses a set of best practices to guide management of outdoor recreation in the national parks and elsewhere. The book is published by CABI, Cambridge, Massachusetts.