Dr. Michael D. Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire and the founder of the Applied Recreation Research Collaborative (ARRC) lab. His expertise in social science research focuses on visitor use management in parks and protected areas (PPAs). He collaborates with land managers, elected officials, and the outdoor industry to simultaneously provide: 1) high-quality visitor experiences, 2) protect natural and cultural resources, and 3) enhance economic opportunities in and around PPA settings.
Dr. Ferguson and his team conduct scientifically grounded and legally defensible research on various topics, including visitor use management, carrying capacity, managed access, visitor education, needs assessments, program and facility evaluations, economic impact, workforce development, ecological impacts, energy development, and climate change. They collaborate with organizations such as the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Sea Grant, State Parks and Forests, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and other federal, state, local, and private PPA organizations.
For more information, please visit the Applied Recreation Research Collaborative (ARRC) lab website at www.unharrc.org.
