This study is a multi-year collaborative research project between Dr. Chris Monz and the Recreation Ecology Lab (Utah State Univ.), Dr. Ashley D'Antonio and the Recreation Ecology & Spatial Analysis Research Group (Oregon State Univ.) and the Natural Communities Coalition (NCC) of Orange County, CA. The NCC is the signatory for the NCCP/HCP plan for the Central and Coastal subregions of Orange County which aims to protect critical coastal sagebrush and oak woodland habitat for a range of threatened and endangered species, including the Coastal Cactus Wren and Coastal California gnatcatcher.
In the early stages of this project, it was estimated that the protected areas under this HCCP/NCP receive nearly 3 million recreation visits annually, as much as some of the most visited National Parks. The goals of this project were to develop adaptive recreation management strategies and approaches to help managers provide opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the coastal landscapes while also mitigating undesirable ecological disturbance on the habitat from recreation use.
In the early stages of this project, it was estimated that the protected areas under this HCCP/NCP receive nearly 3 million recreation visits annually, as much as some of the most visited National Parks. The goals of this project were to develop adaptive recreation management strategies and approaches to help managers provide opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the coastal landscapes while also mitigating undesirable ecological disturbance on the habitat from recreation use.
