Study Shows Attendance At State Parks Grows, Even As Funding Decreases

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

A recent study from North Carolina State University shows that while the number of visits to state parks across the country has grown, fund support for park operations has been significantly reduced. The reduction in funding during a time of park growth endangers the more than $20 billion in economic impact that state parks have on the nation’s economy.

“Obviously the reduction in general-fund support for operations puts stress on America’s state-park systems,” says Dr. Yu-Fai Leung, NC State associate professor of recreation ecology, park planning and visitor management, and director of the study.

“This is a troubling trend since states rely heavily on outdoor recreation and tourism spending to fuel local economies. The public has high expectations of state parks and the facilities and programs offered. If the state parks don’t meet expectations, visitors will likely take their business elsewhere.”

Leung, alongside fellow NC State researcher Dr. Chris Siderelis, completed the Annual Information Exchange (AIX) report, which tabulates data on state park attendance and economic impact, for the National Association of State Park Directors.

State parks nationally are generating a nine-fold return on their annual operating investment during difficult economic times. Many private- and public-sector jobs depend on the vitality of public parks; placing them at risk only aggravates the economic stress on state economies, Leung says. Total operating expenditures for state parks from all sources add up to about $2.2 billion, the report asserts. State general funds represent about $810 million of that $2.2 billion.

State parks operated 1,257 new areas, or more than 23,800 acres, over the previous year. “What that means is they have more land, facilities and visitors at a time when budget cuts are in double digits,” Leung explains. “It is unlikely that any private-sector business would cut expenditures when visitation and economic impact are growing. The prudent business plan would be to have stable or increased funding during periods of growth to protect the increasing market share.”

The AIX report shows that visitation to America’s state parks has grown from about 727 million visits in 2009 to more than 740 million in 2010 – a 1.6 percent increase. During the same period, general-fund support for park operations was reduced by $114 million or about 12.3 percent. Day-use visitation to state parks increased by more than 17 million or 2.6 percent while overnight visits dropped from 64 to 60 million. “The price of gasoline and pressure on household budgets are likely reasons for the 5.3 percent reduction in overnight visits,” Leung says.

Researchers are currently conducting statistical analyses on the AIX data to identify patterns and trends about state park use and operations.

NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management is part of the university’s College of Natural Resources.

AIX 2009-2010 Summary & Comparison ( DOC ) ( PDF )

For more information contact:
Yu-Fai Leung, Parks Recreation & Tourism Managment, 919.
Caroline Barnhill, News Services, 919.515.6251

NC State Receives $3.67M Grant to Examine Effect of Climate Change on Southern Loblolly Pines

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE:
For Immediate Release

North Carolina State University is part of a team of 12 institutions across the Southeastern United States selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a regional network to monitor the effects of climate change on southern pine trees. The goal is to use the information to develop new management methods and varieties of pines to help Southeastern pine forests adapt to changes in climate.

Researchers will study climate-change mitigation and adaptation as it relates to southern pines, particularly loblolly pine, which comprises 80 percent of the planted forestland in the Southeast. NC State researchers, led by Dr. Ross Whetten, associate professor of forestry, will participate in establishing the monitoring network to collect information on response to climate change, examining the genetics of pine to learn how the trees grow and respond to temperature and rainfall, and measuring the nutrients the trees take in from and release into the atmosphere and soil.

Key components of NC State’s research effort include creating and disseminating knowledge that helps landowners harness planted pine forest productivity to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide; use nitrogen and other fertilizers more efficiently; and adapt their forest management to increase resilience in the face of changing climate.

Dr. Ryan Boyles, North Carolina state climatologist and assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, will also play a key role in coordinating state climatologists with forestry extension personnel to engage land managers across the region.

“We want to find out from landowners early on in the research process what questions they have about the impact climate is having on their ability to manage their land,” Boyles says. “This proposal is going to be very interesting not only in helping to improve forest production in a changing climate, but also in understanding the positive impact the timber industry plays in improving carbon sequestration. There are few tools as successful as forestry in having a positive effect on climate change.”

By the study’s conclusion, researchers hope to develop a computer model that incorporates climate variables – like temperature, rainfall and other factors – to predict forest productivity under different climate conditions. They also want to identify new varieties of loblolly pine, and new management techniques for existing pine plantations, that will allow plantations to better tolerate predicted climate change.

“In the end, we want to provide information and tools that equip landowners and forest managers to increase the sustainability and productivity of planted pine forests, and that empower environmental agencies and policy makers to make informed decisions about how forests will respond to climate change,” Whetten says.

The overall grant, a $20 million, five-year project, will be led by Dr. Tim Martin at the University of Florida. NC State will receive $3.67 million to perform its research, education and outreach activities.

Media Contact:
Caroline Barnhill, NCSU News Services, 919/515-6251 or caroline_barnhill@ncsu.edu

Zobel – Forest Genetics Pioneer Passes

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

Dr Zobel came into the office regularly for almost 30 years following his official retirement as Professor of Forestry at NC State.

In Memoriam

Dr. Bruce J. Zobel, NC State professor emeritus and pioneer in the field of forest genetics, died February 5 2011 at his home in Raleigh. He was 90.

Zobel’s connection with NC State lasted 55 years. It began with his move to Raleigh in 1957 to lead the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. He remained active following his first retirement from that position in 1979, founding the Camcore program in gene conservation and forest genetics.

He continued to teach undergraduate and graduate classes and mentor graduate students until 2001. In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

A native of California, Zobel earned a forestry degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1943 and took a job as a logging engineer in redwood forests until he was drafted the following year. The Marine served in California, Virginia and North Carolina, where he was appointed forestry officer at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, NC.

Zobel in the treetops during the genesis of the field of tree improvement

After his military service, Zobel returned to Berkeley to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in forestry. He oversaw a new program in forest genetics at Texas A&M University until 1956. The following year he joined NC State.

Zobel, who served as the E.F. Conger Distinguished Professor of Forestry, received the O. Max Gardner award, the UNC Board of Governors’ highest faculty honor, in 1972 for outstanding contributions to the welfare of humankind.

Bruce Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

Dr. Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

The late Dr. Bruce J. Zobel accepts Nc State University's presigious Holladay Medal

In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

Recognized as an authority on genetic improvement and variation of wood properties, Zobel earned international recognition in 1975 as the first forester to be awarded the TAPPI Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the technical progress of the pulp and paper industry.

Zobel did consulting work around the world, authored six books and mentored more than 100 graduate students, many of whom hold leadership positions with universities, government and industry. In 1998, he and his wife created the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Endowment for International Forestry to allow students to gain firsthand experience with forestry production around the world. In 2004, he received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal.

Donations in his memory may be made to Avent Ferry United Methodist Chiurch in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Scholarship Fund in care of Campus Box 8010 NC State University 27695 or a charity of your choice.

Cracking the Glass Ceiling in College Sport Administration

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE –
Think Manager, Think Male? Impact of Gender In Sport Administration Hiring

The “glass ceiling” for women administrators in college athletics may be cracked, but is not completely broken, according to a new study co-authored by a North Carolina State University researcher.

Results of the study, which surveyed athletic administrators at universities across the country to determine how, and if, gender roles made a difference in hiring practices, may disappoint those who think double standards for women have been relegated to the past.

Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, assistant professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State University, and colleagues surveyed 276 athletic administrators at Division I universities to have them evaluate fictitious vignettes of male or female candidates for intercollegiate athletics positions such as athletic director, compliance director or life-skills director. They then ranked the candidates’ attributes and the likelihood of hiring them for the respective positions.

The research found that female candidates for the athletic director position, despite having the same background as their male counterparts, were viewed as less feminine. However, if the same female candidates applied for life skills positions – positions which are predominately held by women in real-life athletic administration – they were viewed as more feminine.

Meanwhile, males were more likely to be chosen for athletic director positions, even with the exact same background and attributes as female candidates.

Researchers believe the study lends support to the notion that men tend to be hired in management roles not just for their skills and experience, but because of the perceived view that management roles require masculinity.

“It seems like there is, unfortunately, a ‘catch-22’ for women in management roles – particularly in sports,” Grappendorf explains. “The assumption has been that masculine attributes like aggressiveness and competitiveness are needed for management-level positions, yet women who display those attributes are still not given the same opportunities as men. Even worse, if they do happen to be hired, women are often looked down upon by colleagues for having those masculine qualities.”

Similar research has been conducted in business settings, but this research is the first of its kind conducted in the sports industry, which continues to be male-dominated. The research, which is published in the Journal for Sport Management, was conducted along with lead author Dr. Laura Burton from the University of Connecticut and co-author Dr. Angela Henderson from the University of Northern Colorado.

NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is part of the university’s College of Natural Resources.

-barnhill-

Note to editors: The study abstract follows.

“Perceptions of Gender in Athletic Administration: Utilizing Role Congruity to Examine (Potential) Prejudice Against Women”
Authors: Laura Burton, University of Connecticut; Heidi Grappendorf, North Carolina State University, Angela Henderson, University of Northern Colorado.
Published: 2011, Volume 25, 36-45, Journal of Sport Management

Abstract:
Based on the tenets of role congruity theory, the current study examined the unequal representation of men and women in athletic administration positions. A total of 158 female and 118 male (n = 276) athletic administrators evaluated a male or female candidate for an athletic director, compliance director, or life skills director position within athletics. Participants indicated no significant differences in masculine ratings of male or female candidates and significant differences in feminine ratings for female candidates in the life skills position. Male and female candidates were perceived as similar in potential and likely success in all positions. Finally, the female candidate was evaluated as significantly less likely to be offered the athletic director position when compared to the male candidate.

Media Contacts:
Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, 919/513-0060 or heidi_grappendorf@ncsu.edu
Caroline Barnhill, News Services, 919/515-6251 or caroline_barnhill@ncsu.edu

Local High School Students Learn about Recycling Paper

Posted on February 7, 2011 by moorman

NC State University Department of Forest Biomaterials faculty member, Dr. Med Byrd and Undergraduate Recruiter, Katie McIntyre recently spent two days bringing paper properties to life for Broughton High School chemistry students. Dr. Byrd gave a lively lecture about the chemical properties of paper, highlighting many of the concepts that they will focus on in their chemistry class in the coming weeks.

After learning the basic principles behind hydrogen bonds and flotation de-inking, students had the opportunity to recycle their own paper. Groups were challenged to recycle two sheets, improving upon their first procedure with the second sheet. Students with the cleanest, most uniform sheet, and highest yield in their recycled sheets were awarded with Wolfpack gear!

The Paper Science & Engineering faculty at NC State actively engage in outreach in our community. Lab and lecture instructions for papermaking, flotation de-inking, and other areas of interest are available for teachers and community leaders.

If you would like to schedule a visit to the NC State Department of Forest Biomaterials or inquire about a visit to your classroom, please contact Katie McIntyre at katie_mcintyre@ncsu.edu.