From Rifles to Running Shoes: How Outdoor Recreation Trends are Reshaping Conservation Efforts

Parks and protected areas (PPAs) serve a dual purpose: they conserve wildlife and natural habitats while providing spaces for people to enjoy outdoor recreation. However, balancing conservation with recreation can be challenging, especially as outdoor activities continue to grow and evolve. In Utah, Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are set aside to protect important wildlife habitats and provide opportunities for hunting and fishing. Recently, these areas have seen an increase in activities such as mountain biking, trail running, and dog walking, some of which take place in areas which prohibit recreational activity in effort to protect wildlife. These shifts in recreation patterns raise important questions about how human activities impact wildlife and how best to encourage responsible outdoor behavior. This study explores how people's values about wildlife and their participation in hunting and fishing relate to their stewardship behaviors, such as following Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. Specifically, it examines connections between people's wildlife value orientations, status of holding a hunting or fishing license, and environmental stewardship behaviors. A significant relationship emerged between license status and stewardship, with those who never held a hunting or fishing license reporting a small but significantly greater intent to follow LNT principles. Additionally, non-license holders were significantly more likely to have mutualist values. A review of existing research suggests that LNT practices can help reduce recreational impacts on wildlife, but more studies are needed to understand these effects fully. As outdoor recreation continues to grow, this research highlights the importance of promoting stewardship and responsible recreation. By understanding how people's values correspond with their conservation behaviors, land managers can develop strategies that encourage responsible outdoor recreation while protecting wildlife and natural areas. Through education, policy, and engagement, we can ensure that these landscapes remain places where both people and wildlife can thrive.