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Scientists & Staff

Paul H. Gobster

Title: Research Social Scientist
Unit: People and Their Environments: Social Science Supporting Natural Resource Management and Policy
Address: Northern Research Station
1033 University Place, Suite 360
Evanston, IL 60201-3172
Phone: 847-866-9311; ext. 16
E-mail: Contact Paul H. Gobster

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Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ph.D. Land Resources, 1987
University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S. Landscape Architecture, 1983
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, B.S. Regional Analysis, minor Leisure Studies, 1978

Civic & Professional Affiliations

Editor-in-Chief, Landscape and Urban Planning; Adjunct Lecturer, Environmental Policy and Culture Program, Northwestern University; Journal Editorial Board Member, Ecological Restoration, Nature + Culture , Environment & Behavior; Society/Association Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (Fellow), International Association for Society and Natural Resources, Environmental Design Research Association, Natural Areas Association, Society for Ecological Restoration International

Current Research

My research broadly addresses the question: How can we design, plan for, and manage landscapes to sustain mutually beneficial relationships between people and ecological systems? The context for much of my work has been park and forest landscapes in urban settings. I am focusing on three interrelated topic areas:

Perception and experience of landscapes: how people perceive and experience parks and forests, including issues of aesthetics, psychological restoration, and physical activity.
Meanings of nature: how nature is understood and valued by different individuals and stakeholder groups and how these values can be incorporated into landscape restoration and management.
3. Access and equity issues: how knowledge of the cultural dimensions of landscape to provide better and more equitable access to nature, leisure, and open space opportunities for diverse populations.

Why is This Important

Social issues are increasingly at the forefront of environmental management decisions. Urban populations can be particularly diverse. If we can understand the range of perceptions and values that exist, we will help provide environmental managers the information they need to make decisions that are insightful to all stakeholders concerned.

Featured Publications

Gobster, Paul H.; Xiang, Wei-Ning. 2012. Editorial: A revised aims and scope for Landscape and Urban Planning: an international journal of landscape and design. Landscape and Urban Planning. 106(4): 289-292.
Gobster, Paul H.; Xiang, Wei-Ning. 2012. Editorial: Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Landscape and Urban Planning. Landscape and Urban Planning. 106: 1-5.
Gobster, Paul H.; Xiang, Wei-Ning. 2012. Editorial: Progress and prospects. Landscape and Urban Planning. 105(1-2): 2-4.
Gobster, Paul H.; Xiang, Wei-Ning. 2012. Editorial: What do we mean by "landscape"?. Landscape and Urban Planning. 106: 219-220.
Gobster, Paul H. 2011. Appreciating urban wildscapes: Towards a natural history of unnatural places. Chapter 2. In: Jorgensen, Anna; Keenan, Richard., eds. Urban wildscapes. London: Routledge: 33-48.

Additional Online Publications

Gobster, Paul H. 2011. Factors affecting people's response to invasive species management. In: Rotheram, I.; Lambert, R., eds. Invasive and introduced plants and animals: Human perceptions, attitudes and approaches to management. 16. London: Earthscan: 249-263.
Gobster, Paul H. 2011. Landscape and urban planning at 100: Looking back moving forward. Landscape and Urban Planning. 100(4): 315-317.
Gobster, Paul H.; Nassauer, Joan Iverson; Nadenicek, Daniel J. 2010. Landscape Journal and scholarship in landscape architecture: the next 25 years. Landscape Journal. 29(1): 52-70.
Gobster, Paul H.; Buchner, David M. 2010. Healthy outdoor recreation: An integrated approach to linking physical activity with wellness goals. Chapter 38. In: Payne, L.; Ainsworth, B.; Godbey, G., eds. Leisure, health and wellness: Making the connections. State College, PA.: Venture Publishing: 437-446.
Westphal, Lynne M.; Gobster, Paul H.; Gross, Matthias. 2010. Models for renaturing brownfield areas [Chapter 19]. In: Hall, Marcus, ed. Restoration and history: The search for a usable environmental past. New York, NY: Routledge: 208-217.
Gobster, Paul H. 2010. Models for urban forest restoration: Human and environmental values. In: Stanturf, John, ed. Proceedings of the IUFRO conference on forest landscape restoration; 2007 May 14-19; Seoul, Korea. Seoul, Korea: Korea Forest Research Institute: 10-13.
Jorgensen, Anna; Gobster, Paul H. 2010. Shades of green: Measuring the ecology of urban green space in the context of human health and well-being. Nature and Culture. 5(3 ): 338-363.
Gobster, Paul H. 2010. Urban ecological restoration (Introduction to a special theme issue). Nature and Culture. 5(3): 227-230.
Haight, Robert G.; Gobster, Paul H. 2009. Social and economic considerations for planning wildlife conservation in large landscapes. In: Millspaugh, J.J.; Thompson, F.R., eds. Models for planning wildlife conservation in large landscapes. Burlington, MA: Academic Press: 123-152).
Gobster, Paul H. 2008. Yellowstone Hotspot. Reflections on scenic beauty, ecology, and the aesthetic experience of landscape. Landscape Journal 27:2-08: 291-308.
Gobster, Paul H. 2007. Comment on "Ethnicity as a variable in leisure research" by Li et al.. Journal of Leisure Research. 39(3): 546-553.
Wagner, Mimi M.; Gobster, Paul H. 2007. Interpreting landscape change: measured biophysical change and surrounding social context. Landscape and Urban Planning. 81: 67-80.
Gobster, Paul H. 2007. Models for urban forest restoration: human and environmental values. In: Stanturf, J., ed. Proceedings of the IUFRO Conference on Forest Landscape Restoration; 2007 May 14-19; Seoul, Korea. Seoul: International Union of Forestry Research Organizations and Korea Forest Research Institute: 10-13.
Buchner, David M.; Gobster, Paul H. 2007. Promoting active visits to parks: models and strategies for transdisciplinary collaboration. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. 4(1): S36-S49.
Gobster, Paul H.; Nassauer, Joan I.; Daniel, Terry C.; Fry, Gary. 2007. The shared landscape: what does aesthetics have to do with ecology?. Landscape Ecology. 22: 959-972.
Gobster, Paul H. 2007. Urban park restoration and the "museumification" of nature. Nature and Culture. 2(2): 95-114.
Gobster, Paul H. 2005. Invasive Species as Ecological Threat: Is Restoration an Alternative to Fear-based Resource Management?. Ecological Restoration, Vol. 23, No. 4, 2005
Gobster, Paul H. 2005. Recreation and leisure research from an active living perspective: taking a second look at urban trail use data. Leisure Sciences, 27: 367-383
Gobster, Paul H.; Haight, Robert G. 2004. From landscapes to lots: understanding and managing Midwestern landscape change.. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-245. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 60 p.
Gobster, Paul H.; Rickenbach, Mark G. 2004. Private forestland parcelization and development in Wisconsin's Northwoods: perceptions of resource-oriented stakeholders. Landscape and Urban Planning 69(2004): 165-182
Gobster, Paul H.; Westpahl, Lynne M. 2004. The human dimensions of urban greenways: planning for recreation and related experiences. Landscape and Urban Planning 68:147-165
Gobster, Paul H.; Stewart, Susan I.; Bengston, David N. 2004. The social aspects of landscape change: protecting open space under the pressure of development. Landscape and Urban Planning 69 (2004) 149-151
Ruliffson, Jane A.; Haight, Robert G.; Gobster, Paul H.; Homans, Frances R. 2003. Metropolitan natural area protection to maximize public access and species representation. Environmental Science and Policy 6:291-299
Rickenbach, Mark G.; Gobster, Paul H. 2003. Stakeholders' Perceptions of Parcelization in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Journal of Forestry 101(6):18-23
Gobster, Paul H. 2002. Ervin Zube and landscape architecture. Landscape Architecture. Volume 92. Issue 8. 2002. pp. 62, 64-65, 92-93.
Whitcomb, Lisa; Parker, Dennis; Carr, Bob; Gobster, Paul; Schroeder, Herb. 2002. Human preference for ecological units: patterns of dispersed campsites within landtype associations on the Chippewa National Forest. In: Todd, Sharon, comp., ed. 2002. Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-289. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 429-434.
Gobster, Paul H. 2002. Managing urban parks for a racially and ethnically diverse clientele. Leisure Sciences. Volume 24. 2002. pp. 143-159
Ruliffson, Jane A.; Gobster, Paul H.; Haight, Robert G.; Homans, Francis R. 2002. Niches in the urban forest: Organizations and their role in acquiring metropolitan open space.. Journal of Forestry: 100(6):16-23.
Ribe, Robert G.; Armstrong, Edward T.; Gobster, Paul H. 2002. Scenic Vistas and the Changing Policy Landscape: Visualizing and Testing the Role of Visual Resources in Ecosystem Management. Landscape Journal 21(1):42-66
Gobster, Paul H. 2001. Forests and landscapes: linking ecology, sustainability and aesthetics. In: Sheppard, S.R.J.; Harshaw, H. W., eds. Forests and landscapes: linking ecology, sustainability and aesthetics. New York, NY: CABI Publishing: 21-28
Gobster, Paul H. 2001. Human dimensions of early successional landscapes in the eastern United States. Wildlife Society Bulletin. Volume 29. Issue 2. 2001. 474-482
Gobster, Paul H. 2001. Neighbourhood-open space relationships in metropolitan planning: a look across four scales of concern. Local Environment 6(2):199?212
Gobster, Paul H.; Hull, R. Bruce. 2001. Restoring nature: continuing the conversation. Ecological Restoration 19(4):225-226
Gobster, Paul H. 2001. Visions of nature: conflict and compatibility. Landscape and Urban Planning 56:35-51
Gobster, Paul H.; Haight, Robert G.; Shriner, David S. 2000. Integrated Research on Midwestern Landscape Change: A Program Description and Progress Report. Fragmentation 2000 Conference. p. 375-382. (2000)
Gobster, Paul H.; Haight, Robert G.; Shriner, Dave. 2000. Landscape Change in the Midwest: An Integrated Research and Development Program. Journal of Forestry. Vol. 98 no. 3.:p. 9-15. (2000)
Gobster, Paul H.; Barro, Susan C. 2000. Negotiating nature: Making Restoration Happen In An Urban Park Context. Part III: Making Restoration Happen: Process And Implementation. p. 185-207. (2000)
Gobster, Paul H. 2000. Restoring Nature: Human Actions, Interactions and reactions. Introduction: Human Actions Interactions, and Reactions. p. 1-20. (2000)
Hull, Bruce R.; Gobster, Paul H. 2000. Restoring forest ecosystems: the human dimension. Journal of Forestry. Volume 98. Issue 8. 2000. pp. 32-36
Gobster, Paul H.; Schmidt, Thomas L. 2000. The Use of Amenity Indicators in Anticipating Private Forestland Parcelization: A Look at the Lake States' Northwoods. Fragmentation 2000 Conference. p. 170-181. (2000)
Gobster, Paul H. 1999. An ecological aesthetic for forest landscape management. Landscape Journal. 18(1): 54-64. (1999)
Gobster, Paul H.; Hull, Bruce. 1999. The restoration and management of nature: A conference and forthcoming book explore restoration from the perspectives of the social science and humanities. Biological Restoration. 17(1&2): 44-51. (1999)
Zhang, Tingwei; Gobster, Paul H. 1998. Leisure preferences and open space needs in an. Journal of Architectural Planning and Research 15(4);338-355
Gobster, P. H.; Westphal, L. M. 1998. People and the River: Perception and Use of Chicago Waterways for Recreation.. Misc. Publ., Milwaukee, WI: U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program.
Gobster, Paul H.; Westphal, Lynne M. 1998. People and the river: perception and use of Chicago waterways for recreation.. Chicago Rivers Demonstr. Proj. Rep. Milwaukee, WI: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. 192 p.
Gobster, Paul H. 1998. Urban parks as green walls or green magnets? Interracial relations in neighborhood boundary parks. Landscape and Urban Planning 41:43-55
Gobster, Paul H. 1997. The Chicago wilderness and its critics: the other side: a survey of arguments. Restoration and Management Notes 15(1):32-37
Gobster, Paul H. 1996. Forest aesthetics, biodiversity, and the perceived appropriateness of ecosystem management practices. In: Brunson, Mark W.; Kruger, Linda E.; Tyler, Catherine B.; Schroeder, Susan A., tech. eds. Defining social acceptability in ecosystem management: a workshop proceedings; 1992 June 23-25, Kelso, WA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-369. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 77-97.
Gobster, Paul H.; Dickhut, Kathleen E. 1995. Exploring interspace: open space opportunities in dense urban areas. In: Kollin, Cheryl; Barrett, Michael, eds. Inside Urban Ecosystems: Proceedings of the 7th National Urban Forestry Conference. New York, NY. American Forests, Washington DC. 70-73.
Gobster, Paul H. 1993. Managing urban and high-use recreation settings.. General Technical Report NC-163. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Schroeder, Herbert .; Gobster, Paul H.; Frid, Ross. 1993. Visual quality of human-made clearings in central Michigan conifers.. Research Paper NC-313. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Dwyer, John F.; Gobster, Paul H. 1992. Black/white outdoor recreation preferences and participation: Illinois State Parks. In: Vander Stoep, Gail A., ed. 1992. Proceedings of the 1991 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 1991 April 7-9; Saratoga Springs, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-160. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 20-24.
Dwyer, John F.; Schroeder, Herbert W.; Gobster, Paul H. 1991. Central hardwood forest resources: a social science perspective. In: McCormick, Larry H.; Gottschalk, Kurt W., eds. Proceedings, 8th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 1991 March 4-6; University Park, PA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-148. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 2-14.
Dwyer, John F.; Schroeder, Herbert W.; Gobster, Paul H. 1991. The significance of urban trees and forests: toward a deeper understanding of values. Journal of Arboriculture 17(10):276-284
Chenoweth, Richard E.; Gobster, Paul H. 1990. The nature and ecology of aesthetic experiences in the landscape. Landscape Journal 9(1):1-8

Other Publications by Paul H. Gobster *

Spengler, John O.; Floyd, Myron F.; Maddock, Jason E.; Gobster, Paul H.; Suau, Luis J.; Norman, Gregory J. 2011. Correlates of park-based physical activity among children in diverse communities: Results from an observational study in two cities.American Journal of Health Promotion. 25(5).

*Due to policy or copyright restrictions, we are unable to provide full-text versions of these publications. Please check with your local library or Contact Paul H. Gobster to inquire about reprints.

Last Modified: 02/15/2012