Honors Theses and Capstones

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

CHHS

Department

Recreation Management and Policy

Program or Major

RMP: Outdoor Leadership and Management Option

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

Lauren Ferguson

Abstract

This evaluation strives to analyze NH residents’ usage of outdoor spaces (adults 18+) and NH State Park lands. The general purpose of this evaluation is to gain evidence and develop an understanding of participant use of outdoor spaces and whether participant’s mental well-being is a driving factor in outdoor recreation. As children and adults are spending increasingly more time indoors and on phones and computers, it is necessary for further research and advocacy efforts to be developed on the importance of time outdoors. It has be found that “urban lifestyles impose increasing demands on our cognitive resources” (Ohily, 2010) which includes increased stress and lessened cognitive capacity. Increased stress has negative impacts on human health, including negative effects on learning, and suppression of the immune system (Yaribeygi et al., 2017).

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