Recreation Resources Management
M.S., M.P.S. & Ph.D.

The potential applications include:

• Recreation resource planning
• Wilderness and river recreation management
• Commercial recreation and tourism
• Human dimensions of recreational use

Recreation and tourism, including ecotourism, are major economic factors in the U.S. and other nations. Graduate study in this area provides students with a broad understanding of the nature and purpose of outdoor recreation and tourism and how they relate to natural resources. The program emphasizes the role of and inter-relationships between the public and private sectors in providing facilities, services, and programs in recreation and tourism. Faculty research focuses on recreation resource management and the human dimensions of recreational use and management. Individual student programs combine study in resources management with relevant studies in the social and political sciences and the development of analytic capabilities needed to implement recreation management plans and programs. Examples of student interest include recreation planning, commercial recreation, ecotourism planning, and wilderness visitor management. Course work in environmental interpretation, management, and other disciplines is encouraged.

Career opportunities exist with a wide variety of public agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations. Tourism is a major economic sector in New York and many other states, and often is the top source of foreign exchange in developing nations and nations with strong natural resources bases such as Australia. Recreation studies in many colleges and universities offer career opportunities for graduates who want to combine teaching and research activities.

For more information, visit the Recreation Resources Management pages.

Participating Faculty:

Dawson, Chad P., Professor
Wilderness Management, Forest Recreation Management
320 Bray Hall, 315-470-6534, cpdawson@esf.edu

Kuehn, Diane, Assistant Professor
Recreation and Tourism
320 Bray Hall, 315-470-6561, dmkuehn@esf.edu

Schuster, Rudolph, Associate Professor 
Recreation Management, Wilderness Studies
320 Bray Hall, 315-470-4863, rschuster@esf.edu

Contact Us

John E. Wagner
Associate Professor of Forest Resource Economics
Graduate Education Coordinator - FNRM
320 Bray Hall, One Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210-2788
Phone: (315) 470-6971
Fax: (315) 470-6535