Call for Presentations

The 35th National Environment and Recreation Research Symposium (NERR) will take place in Virginia Beach, VA from March 30 - April 1.

The deadline for abstract submission is December 6, 2024. We hope to see you there!

Presentation Types:

o Oral Presentations: 15-minute oral presentations with 5-minute Q&A

o Poster Presentations will be held at an hour-long welcome reception on-site

o Roundtable Sessions: 60- to 90-minute workshop sessions focusing on applied or theoretical research or resource management issues

The call for presentations is linked here.

Paper's from this year's NERR Symposium will be eligible for submission to a special issue of the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration (JPRA). For more information, click here.

Abstract Submission Instructions & Due Dates

Authors should submit their Abstract as one single MS Word document. The Website Manager will acknowledge receipt of the abstract within 3 business days.

Submission Guidelines:

o All submissions must be submitted online no later than December 6, 2024, at https://ecu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ABasPee6yM1ggu

o The abstract should be submitted in Word format or PDF with two pages: The first page should be the abstract (maximum 500 words) plus title and the second page could be used for references, tables, and/or figures.

o During the submission process, the authors will be asked to provide authors’ information (e.g., name, organization/university affiliation, email).

o Notice of abstract acceptance: January 13, 2025.

o Questions can be directed to the conference Co-Chairs, Hung-Ling (Stella) Liu (hliu35@gmu.edu) or Ellen Drogin Rodgers (erodger1@gmu.edu).

Click here to submit your abstract.

Important dates:
December 6, 2024: Abstract must be received by Conference chair via email
January 13, 2025: Notification of acceptance via email
February 5, 2025: Preliminary agenda posted on website

Research Themes

o   Human-environment interactions examine the complex relationships between people and the natural world, focusing on how human activities affect ecosystems and how the environment influences behavior. Key topics may include the human dimensions of natural resources, environmental justice, climate change adaptation, and Indigenous perspectives in resource conservation.
o   Sustainable tourism and recreation development aims to create travel experiences that minimize environmental impact while supporting local economies and preserving cultural heritage. Topics may include coastal and marine recreation, regenerative tourism, risk assessment, disaster management, community resilience, cultural and heritage tourism, and specialized forms of tourism such as ecotourism and sport tourism.
o   Health and well-being in recreation and tourism emphasizes how recreational and travel activities enhance physical, mental, and emotional health through relaxation, active lifestyles, and social connections. Relevant topics may include physical activity, urban green spaces, public health, and equitable access to recreation and tourism.
o   Planning, management, and innovation in recreation and tourism focuses on strategies to enhance visitor experiences, optimize resources, and ensure sustainable growth while adapting to industry trends. Topics may include forecasting, technological advances, emerging trends, cultural resource management, and methodological developments.

Examples of Potential Roundtable Session Topics

Partnerships and dedicated funding sources to fund parks and recreation
Reconnecting youth with nature and the outdoors thru green and playful parks
Carbon friendly and sustainable parks
Urban forests/parks and their effects on quality of life
Social and environmental justice through parks, recreation, leisure and tourism
The potential impacts of government shut down on the public recreation facilities

Presentation Equipment

For oral presentations: One LCD projector and laptop computer will be set up in each break-out session room. Speakers are asked to load their presentations onto the appropriate laptop during conference breaks from either a CD or portable hard drive. Any additional equipment is the responsibility of the presenter.

For poster session: The author(s) must remain by the poster board for the one-hour session. Poster content, including title(s), introduction, findings, and conclusion, figures, tables, and pictures, will be displayed on a 3' x 4' poster board supplied by NERR.