Taking a Benefits-Based Approach to Understanding, Planning, and Managing Nature- Based Recreation in Florida

Nature-based recreation planners and managers have a difficult time describing what they provide to society. In order to better identify, plan, and manage for the benefits of nature-based recreation, researchers and natural resource professionals have adopted a new approach to recreation management: benefits-based management (BBM). BBM seeks to identify the positive outputs of recreation and highlight these benefits in management plans to help provide for these benefits. In collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida researchers examined local and non-local visitors to five natural areas in southwest Florida. Researchers used a behavioral approach to recreation in conjunction with integrative planning to identify holistic planning recommendations for local and non-local visitors to natural areas. Results showed all visitors have similar preferences for recreation activities and settings, but their motivations for participating were different. Non-local visitors placed a high priority on exploration and education. Local visitors were looking for stress relief and a sense of independence. To help non-local visitors achieve their desired experiences, planners could develop easily accessible education materials (e.g., visitor centers, maps, nature tours) and trails designed with tourists’ motivations in mind (e.g., explore, enjoy, and learn about nature).