Many Olympic dreams begin on public lands, where kids learn to ski or snowboard while visiting with their families.
The Forest Service recently published an article featuring snowboarder Shannon Dunn-Downing, the first American to medal in snowboarding when it became an Olympic sport at the Nagano Games in 1998. Rather than beginning her training at an elite facility, she said her first introduction to the sport was visiting Forest Service land in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
The Forest Service issues long-term permits to ski resort operators. The two groups work in partnership to manage the land and recreation facilities. Currently 116 ski resorts operate on Forest Service lands, accounting for more than 60% of the skiable terrain in the United States. Access to public lands is one part of making winter sports accessible to all.
When the Winter Olympics came to Salt Lake City in 2002, Natural Inquirer published a special edition featuring research from the area, covering topics like avalanche prediction, bird habitat, and the environmental impacts of road construction. Each article includes a sidebar which helps illuminate some of the considerations that go into hosting the Olympic Games.
- 8 Articles
- 17 Activities
- Available in English and Spanish
Other Studies on Recreation
We’ve written about many different studies on recreation on public lands. Scientists and land managers are always wanting to know more about how, where, and why people recreate. They also want to know how best to care for public lands to protect those ecosystems and preserve spaces for future generations. Here are a few highlights!
Even if you’re not an athlete, much less an Olympic one, you can enjoy the health benefits of being in nature, too. In the FSNatureLIVE series on Nature Health Benefits, learn about research into the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. Take the outdoor challenges that accompany each episode to reflect on your time in nature and help you prioritize time outdoors.
- 4 Episodes
- 4 Activities
One of the great take-aways from Shannon Dunn-Downing’s story was how much recreating on public lands has continued to mean to her and her family. When so many of us spend our time distracted on our devices, the time spent with each other out in nature has more value than ever. And who knows? It might inspire some future Olympic athletes, too.
