Outdoor Recreation & Data Lab

Researching nature-based tourism and recreation

Outdoor R&D is the University of Washington’s Outdoor Recreation and Data Lab. We do data-driven research on the benefits of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. Our studies meld methods from environmental science, social science, and computer science – combining visitor surveys and other on-site data with big volunteered data from citizen scientists, social media, and mobile applications. We develop open-source software and reproducible approaches that make big geographic data and models more accessible for decision-makers. The Outdoor R&D team looks for partnerships where novel and innovative methods and data can inform management and improve opportunities for outdoor recreation.

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Research

We use novel methods to generate information on the character of outdoor recreational use, in order to illuminate ways that well-managed, maintained, and accessible open spaces offer unique and critical places to recreate.

Fine-scale maps of recreational use

Innovating the use of crowd-sourced data and volunteered information from social media users and citizen scientists as instant and real-time data on recreation

Learning who is (and isn’t) recreating

Understanding who uses public lands in order to increase opportunities and equity of outdoor recreation

Enhancing the benefits of outdoor recreation

Identifying where gaps outdoor opportunities can be filled by better management, built infrastructure, and ecological restoration

Community

We are committed to making our science accessible and relevant to a broad community, including researchers, practitioners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Deploying Vic the Chatbot

Since 2018, the Outdoor R&D Team has been successfully deploying our friendly chatbot “Vic” to engage with community scientists on public lands across the US.

Mississippi River Water Quality

Community members are encouraged to submit information about water quality along the Mississippi River.

Visitors Count in Washington

Outdoor enthusiasts in Washington are encouraged to submit additional information about their experiences at recreation sites on Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.