'Outdoor Recreation' provides an informative and comprehensive overview of this broad field. Taking in core theoretical and practical themes, it is a student text drawing together a diverse range of perspectives on the subject.

This textbook presents a comprehensive overview of the environmental impacts of various types of outdoor recreation, and how these can be best managed. As a field of study, recreational ecology is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, and the authors seek to develop a deeper understanding of both the role and function of the factors that influence visitor numbers and their impact. An accessible and comprehensive textbook, it features numerous types of outdoor recreational activities including hill walking, rock climbing, mountain marathons, skiing, scuba diving and more. Drawn from several global case studies, the authors estimate the current and future numbers involved in outdoor recreation, and how best these numbers can be managed. Effective visitor impact management actions arise from collaboration between recreation ecologists, social scientists, experienced recreation managers, recreation stakeholders and the recreationalists themselves: as such, this book will be multi-disciplinary in scope. This practical and engaging textbook will be invaluable to students and scholars of outdoor recreation and adventure tourism as well as practitioners and managers working in the field.

The first book to integrate the social science literature on outdoor recreation has been completely updated to reflect current research and new concerns. The book is a standard text in courses and an invaluable reference for park and recreation managers.

Outdoor recreation refers to recreation/activity executed outdoors, most commonly in natural settings. At least in many high-income countries, outdoor recreation is by many considered as an attractive activity during spare time or holidays. People actively seek out activities such as walking in the mountains, climbing, hunting, horseback riding, skiing, etc., which are very often difficult to accommodate in ordinary working days. Some people find outdoor recreation attractive to the extent that they take several months or a year off from work in order to spend time in nature. Outdoor recreation stimulates a healthy lifestyle and increases public health, and it is important to develop outdoor activity habits from early childhood, a habit that should last for an entire lifetime. This book will take you through the definitions of outdoor recreation and different types of recreation. Furthermore, the book will also give you a snapshot of the physiological and psychological effects of outdoor recreation and why outdoor recreation is important for development in children and adolescents, and for adults and the older population, in addition to descriptions of some of the major and maybe the most used outdoor activities.

Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Third Edition, presents perspectives from 52 leading experts from around the world. It delves into foundational concepts, delivery systems, and programming services; offers an array of ancillaries; and helps students make informed career choices.