Education

• B.S., Biology, Duke University
• M.S., Forest Resources, University of Georgia
• Ph.D., Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism, University of Georgia

Current Research Interests

Dr. Larson uses a variety of social science methods to understand human-environment interactions and address natural resource management and conservation issues. His human dimensions research questions and projects focus on three broad themes (natural resource management and conservation, outdoor recreation and health, and environmental education and stewardship) that are designed to help scientists, land managers, and the general public understand, communicate, and collaboratively respond to emerging challenges facing parks and protected areas. Dr. Larson’s recent work has focused on many different topics including:

• Parks and protected area management
• Nature-based recreation, health, and well-being
• Community-based conservation and sustainable development
• Human-wildlife interactions and conflict
• Environmental education and interpretation

Learn more about Dr. Larson’s research.

Selected Publications by Research Theme

Natural Resource Management & Conservation

• Larson, L. R., Conway, A. L., Krafte, K. E., Hernandez, S. M., & Carroll, J. P. (2016). Community-based conservation as a potential source of conflict around a protected area in Sierra Leone. Environmental Conservation, 43(3): 242-252. doi: 10.1017/S0376892916000096
• Larson, L. R., Conway, A. L., Hernandez, S. M., & Carroll, J. P. (2016). Human-wildlife conflict, conservation attitudes, and a potential role for citizen science in Sierra Leone, Africa. Conservation & Society, 14(3): 205-217. doi: 10.4103/0972-4923.191159
• Larson, L. R., Cooper, C. B., & Hauber, M. E. (2016). Emotions as drivers of wildlife stewardship behavior: Examining citizen science nest monitors’ responses to invasive house sparrows. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 21(1): 18-33. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2015.1086933
• Conway, A., Hernandez, S., Carroll, J., Green, G., & Larson, L. (2015). Local awareness of and attitudes toward pygmy hippopotamus conservation in the Moa River Island Complex, Sierra Leone. Oryx, 49(3): 550-558. doi: 10.1017/S003060531300077X
• Larson, L. R., Decker, D. J., Stedman, R. C., Siemer, W. F., & Baumer, M. S. (2014). Exploring the social habitat for hunting: A comprehensive view of factors influencing hunter recruitment and retention. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 19(2): 105-122. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2014.850126
• Larson, L. R., & Poudyal, N. C. (2012). Developing sustainable tourism through adaptive resource management: A case study of Machu Picchu, Peru. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(7), 917-938. doi: 1080/09669582.2012.667217.
• Sharp, R. L., Larson, L. R., & Green, G. T. (2011). Factors influencing public preferences for invasive alien species management. Biological Conservation, 144(8), 2097-2104. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.032.

Outdoor Recreation & Health

• Harris, B., Larson, L. R., & Ogletree, S. & (in press). Different views from the 606: Impacts of an elevated linear trail on crime in Chicago. Environment & Behavior. doi: 10.1177/0013916517690197
• Jennings, V., Yun, J., & Larson, L. (2016). Finding common ground: Environmental ethics, social justice, and a sustainable path for nature-based health promotion. Healthcare, 4: 61; doi:10.3390/healthcare4030061
• Larson, L. R., Keith, S. J., Fernandez, M., Hallo, J. C., Shafer, S. C., & Jennings, V. (2016). Ecosystem services and urban greenways: What’s the public’s perspective? Ecosystem Services, 22: 111-116. doi: /10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.10.004
• Larson, L. R, Jennings, V., & Cloutier, S. A. (2016). Public parks and wellbeing in urban areas of the United States. PLOS ONE, 11(4): e0153211. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153211
• Jennings, V. L., Larson, C. K., & Larson, L. R. (2016). Ecosystem services and preventive medicine: a natural connection. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 50(5): 642-645. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.11.001
• Jennings, V., Larson, L., & Yun, J. (2016). Advancing sustainability through urban green space: cultural ecosystem services, equity, and social determinants of health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13: doi: 10.3390/ijerph13020196
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., Green, G. T., & Bowker, J. M. (2015). Physical activity of youth in non-urban parks: an observation-based assessment. Leisure/Loisir, 38(3-4): 225-232. doi: 10.1080/14927713.2015.1042212
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., Green, G. T., & Bowker, J. M. (2015). Contributions of non-urban state parks to youth physical activity: a case study in northern Georgia. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 33(2), 20-36.
• Cloutier, S., Larson, L., Jambeck, J., & Scott, N. (2014). Are sustainable cities “happy” cities? Associations between sustainable development and human well-being in urban areas of the United States. Environment, Development & Sustainability, 16: 633-647. doi: 10.1007/s10668-013-9499-0
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., Green, G. T., & Bowker, J. M. (2014). Physical activity levels and preferences of ethnically diverse visitors to Georgia state parks. Journal of Leisure Research, 46(5): 540-562.
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., Green, G. T., & Bowker, J. M. (2014). Physical activity locations in Georgia: Frequency of use by socio-demographic group. Journal of Outdoor Recreation & Tourism, 5-6: 68-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2013.11.001
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., & Green, G. T. (2013). Youth outdoor recreation and state park use: Perceived benefits from the parent/guardian’s perspective. Children, Youth, and Environments, 23(3), 89-118. doi: 10.7721/chilyoutenvi.23.3.0089
• Whiting, J. W., Larson, L. R., & Green, G. T. (2012). Monitoring visitation in Georgia state parks using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 30(4), 21-37.
• Larson, L. R., Green, G. T., & Cordell, H. K. (2011). Children’s time outdoors: Results and implications of the National Kids Survey. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 29(2), 1-20.

 Environmental Education & Stewardship

• Larson, L. R., Cheezem, T., Usher, L. E. (in press). Surfers as environmental stewards: Understanding place-protecting behavior at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Leisure Sciences.
• Skupien, G. M., Andrews, K. M., & Larson, L. R. (2016). Teaching tolerance? Effects of conservation education programs on acceptance capacity for the American alligator. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 21(3): 264-279. doi: 10.1080/10871209.2016.1147624
• Larson, L. R., Stedman, R. C., Cooper, C., & Decker, D. J. (2015). Understanding the dimensions of pro-environmental behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 43: 112-124. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.06.004
• Cooper, C., Larson, L., Dayer, A., Stedman, R., & Decker, D. (2015). Are wildlife recreationists conservationists? Linking hunting, birdwatching, and pro-environmental behavior. Journal of Wildlife Management, 79(3), 446-457. doi: 10.1002/jwmg.855
• Flowers, A. E., Carroll, J. P., Green, G. T., & Larson, L. R. (2015). Using art to assess environmental education outcomes. Environmental Education Research, 21(6): 846-864. doi: 10.1080/13504622.2014.959473
• Sharp, R. L., Larson, L. R., Green, G. T., Tomek, S. (2012). Comparing interpretive methods targeting invasive species management at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Journal of Interpretation Research, 17(2), 23-43.
• Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., & Green, G. T. (2011). Exploring the influence of outdoor recreation participation on pro-environmental behavior in a demographically-diverse population. Local Environment, 16(1), 67-86. doi:10.1080/13549839.2010.548373
• Larson, L. R., Green, G. T., & Castleberry, S. B. (2011). Construction and validation of an instrument to measure environmental orientations in a diverse group of children. Environment and Behavior, 43(1), 72-89. doi: 10.1177/0013916509345212.
• Larson, L. R., Castleberry, S. B., & Green, G. T. (2010). Effects of an environmental education program on the environmental orientations of children from different gender, age, and ethnic groups. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 28(3), 95-113.

 Other Research Themes (including teaching-related research)

• Camus, M., Hurt, N. E,, Larson, L. R., & Prevost, L. (2016). Facebook as an online teaching tool: Effects on student participation, learning, and overall course performance. College Teaching, 64(2): 84-94. doi: 10.1080/87567555.2015.1099093
• Hurt, N., Moss, G., Camus, M., Bradley, C., Larson, L., Lovelace, M., Prevost, L., Riley, N., & Domizi, D. (2012). The ‘Facebook’ effect: An investigation of college students’ perspectives regarding online discussions in the age of social networking. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning, 6(2), 2-14.
• Larson, L. R., & Lovelace, M. D. (2013). Evaluating the efficacy of questioning strategies in lecture-based classroom environments: Are we asking the right questions? Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 24(1), 105-122.

Additional publications

Grants & Research Projects

Dr. Larson has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator on many different research projects funded by a variety of agencies and organizations, including:

• S.D.A. Forest Service
• S.D.A. National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• National Science Foundation
• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources
• Georgia Department of Education
• University of Georgia
• Clemson University
• Boy Scouts of American National Foundation
• National Audubon Society

He has also conducted unfunded research focused on improving teaching and learning at multiple levels ranging from non-formal youth camps to college classrooms.

Courses Taught at NC State

• PRT 350 – Outdoor Recreation Management
• PRT 500 – Conceptual Foundations of Recreation

 

CV

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