Auburn University’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Prepares Leaders for Growing Field

Auburn University’s Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will be a valuable resource for students pursuing the university’s new bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management. (contributed) By Jessica Nelson | Auburn University Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) is launching the state’s first parks and recreation management undergraduate degree program to prepare students to lead an industry that is increasingly recognized as vital to well-being, community growth and diversification. Faculty in the CFWE developed the new major to address a growing demand for parks and recreation professionals. “One of the things that distinguishes this program from similar majors at other regional universities is a focus on recreation access and human health, which are critical issues for Alabama and major topics in the field,” said Wayde Morse, professor of conservation social sciences and faculty lead of the new major. Addressing health and access Being outdoors is a vital component of human health, both mental and physical, Morse said – not only the well-known benefits of being active and a healthy dose of vitamin D, but also the relaxation and de-stressing effects. However, some communities have fewer opportunities for outdoor recreation, further widening the health differences between populations. “So...