Scientists & Staff

David N. Bengston
Current Research
My current research is in the transdisciplinary field of Futures Research (also called Strategic Foresight or simply Futures). Futures Research uses a wide range of methods and techniques to explore possible, plausible, and preferable futures. The goal is to develop foresight — insight into how and why the future could be different than today — to improve policy, planning, and decision making. Examples of Futures Research methods and my projects include:Scenario Planning is the most widely known and used Futures Research method. Scenarios are stories that describe a range of plausible futures, connect the present to the future using cause and effect links, and illustrate key events, decisions, and consequences in the narrative. Scenarios are not predictions. Rather, they are intended to portray an array of plausible futures to help decision-makers prepare for change in the face of fundamental uncertainty by building adaptive capacity and resilience. I have developed scenarios with research collaborators for North American forest management, wildland fire management, and wood-based nanomaterials futures.
Horizon Scanning is a set of techniques for identifying, collecting, and exploring the meaning of emerging issues, trends, and other signals of change that may be relevant for an organization or an area of interest. The goal is to find indicators of change and create an early warning system to detect potential future opportunities and threats. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning Project is an ongoing collaborative effort by the Strategic Foresight Group and the Foresight Graduate Program at the University of Houston to identify emerging signals of change relevant for forestry decision makers.
The Futures Wheel is a structured brainstorming process that uncovers possible direct and indirect, positive and negative consequences of any type of change, such as the emerging signals of change identified through horizon scanning. Planners, managers and policy makers can use the results to help proactively consider longer-term and surprising effects of change to better prepare for it. I have facilitated many futures wheel exercises with diverse stakeholders, including explorations of the possible future impacts of abrupt climate change and the lack of age-class diversity in US Northern forests.
Serious Games have been used in diverse fields for many purposes in recent years, including engaging communities, informing planning, educating participants, and solving real-world problems. An important rationale for the use of gaming methods in Futures Research is that active learning methods are often most effective, and gaming approaches have been found to be effective ways to get participants to "pre-experience" alternative futures and gain understanding about preferred futures. Strategic Foresight Group scientists created the foresight game "IMPACT: Forestry Edition" to help players see the intricate, intertwined impacts of change across society on forests and the goods and services they provide.
Why This Research is Important
Futures Research can provide a number of important contributions to planning, management, and policy in forestry, including:Creating a longer-term perspective: The temporal scales considered in futures research are beyond the range usually used in planning and decision making. This longer-term perspective may help identify issues of concern as well as opportunities that could be overlooked in the prevailing shorter-term view.
Exploring key uncertainties and potential surprises: Futures Research can help identify fundamental uncertainties and potential surprises, especially those arising from other domains that could affect forest management, thereby facilitating the development of policies to increase adaptive capacity to deal with surprises.
Decreasing reaction time to rapid change: Insights about possible and plausible futures can help decrease reaction time as events rapidly unfold. Decision makers can explore possible responses in advance and react swiftly to change as it occurs. A classic business example is Royal Dutch Shell's use of scenario planning and its subsequent quick response to the 1973-1974 OPEC oil embargo and price shock.
Anticipating unintended consequences: The methods of Futures Research can help identify potential unintended consequences of new technologies, proposed policies, and social and cultural trends. A better understanding of potential consequences of change can help in the design of strategies that will minimize negative consequences and enhance resilience.
Encouraging thinking big: Futures Research promotes thinking big in terms of multiple disciplinary perspectives, creative problem-solving, and a systems perspective, and can help all stakeholders take a broader and more creative view.
Shaping a preferred future: A preferred future or vision is a compelling statement of the future that a group or organization wants to create based on shared deep values and purpose. A clear, shared understanding of the preferred future enhances options and possibilities in the present.
Education
- University of Minnesota, Ph.D. Forest Economics, 1986
- University of Minnesota, M.S. Agricultural and Applied Economics, 1983
- University of Minnesota, B.S. Future Studies, 1980
Professional Organizations
- North American Forestry Commission (2014 - Current)
- International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) (2005 - 2010)
Awards & Recognition
- Engaging Urban America Award, Northern Research Station, 2011 Research to develop culturally appropriate approaches to conservation education with non-Forest Service partners Michele Schermann, Foung Heu, May Lee-Yang, and MaiKia Moua.
- Multicultural Achievement Award, Northern Research Station, 2011 Recognized for efforts in educating and connecting ethnic minority communities with nature and nature based activities.
- Chief's Honor Award, USDA Forest Service, 2009 Recognized for research with the Hmong American community, "Listening to Neglected Voices: Hmong Americans and Public Lands in Minnesota and Wisconsin."
- Excellence in Science and Technology Award, Northern Research Station, 2009 Development of methods to monitor the social environment for forestry planning, management, and policy.
Publications & Products
- Amyot, Marie-Annick ; Bengston, David N.; Crabtree, Jason ; Fleischman, Forrest ; Garcia, Jason ; Mann, Carolyn ; Perrin, Bryson ; Westphal, Lynne M.; Wheeler, Melissa. 2022. Strategic foresight in forestry: How Canada and the United States use a neglected tool to build a green, healthy and resilient future. XV World Forestry Congress. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- Bengston, David N.; Adwan, Noor ; Bierwerth, Abby ; Cahill, Meghan S.; Deaven, Mia H.; Dohm-Palmer, Celeste M.; Esch, Nicholas ; Gillette, Emily E.; Grandbois, Courtney L.; Jopp, Emilly A.; Kelley, Derek J.; Knauss, Thomas ; Kubik, George H.; Schroeder, Jack D.; Shankar, Swetha ; Silver, Eidan R.; Wille, Kiersten L. 2022. Accelerating climate change: an exploration of cascading future implications. Journal of Futures Studies. 27(1): 29-40.
- Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M.; Dockry, Michael J.; Crabtree, Jason. 2022. A "serious game" to explore alternative forestry futures. Journal of Forestry. 5 p.
- Westphal, Lynne M.; Bengston, David N.; Crabtree, Jason. 2022. Strategic foresight: applications for COVID-19 and wildland fire management. Fire Management Today. 80(1): 26-31
- Bengston, David N. 2021. Lab-grown wood: a potential game changer for forestry and forest products. The Forestry Source. 26(3): 10, 17.
- Hines, Andy ; Baldwin, Bes P.; Bengston, David N.; Crabtree, Jason ; Christensen, Keri ; Frankowski, Nina ; Schlehuber, Laura ; Westphal, Lynne M.; Young, Lena. 2021. Monitoring Emerging Issues: A Proposed Approach and Initial Test. World Futures Review
- Bengston, David N. 2020. Shifting forest values as a driver of change. In: Dockry, Michael J.; Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M., comps. Drivers of change in U.S. forests and forestry over the next 20 years. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-197.
- Bengston, David N. 2020. Future estrangement: not having a place in the emerging future. Journal of Futures Studies. 25(2): 3-8.
- Bengston, David N. 2020. Unraveling and reweaving the tapestry of life in the Anthropocene. Human Futures. April 2020: 12-16.
- Bengston, David N.; Crabtree, Jason ; Hujala, Teppo. 2020. Abrupt climate change: Exploring the implications of a wild card. Futures
- Bengston, David N.; Hujala, Teppo ; Butler, Brett J. 2020. The "Coming Age of Wood" and Family Forest Owners: An Implications Wheel® Exploration. Small-scale Forestry
- Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M.; Dockry, Michael J. 2020. Back from the Future: The Backcasting Wheel for Mapping a Pathway to a Preferred Future. World Futures Review
- Dockry, Michael J.; Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M. 2020. Drivers of change in forests and forestry: an introduction. In: Dockry, Michael J.; Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M., comps. Drivers of change in U.S. forests and forestry over the next 20 years. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-197.
- Dockry, Michael J.; Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M. 2020. Drivers of change in U.S. forests and forestry over the next 20 years. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-197. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 99 p.
- Oldekop, Johan A.; Rasmussen, Laura Vang; Agrawal, Arun ; Bebbington, Anthony J.; Meyfroidt, Patrick ; Bengston, David N.; Blackman, Allen ; Brooks, Stephen ; Davidson-Hunt, Iain ; Davies, Penny ; Dinsi, Stanley C.; Fontana, Lorenza B.; Gumucio, Tatiana ; Kumar, Chetan ; Kumar, Kundan ; Moran, Dominic ; Mwampamba, Tuyeni H.; Nasi, Robert ; Nilsson, Margareta ; Pinedo-Vasquez, Miguel A.; Rhemtulla, Jeanine M.; Sutherland, William J.; Watkins, Cristy ; Wilson, Sarah J. 2020. Forest-linked livelihoods in a globalized world. Nature Plants
- Bengston, David N. 2019. Introduction: The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning Project. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 1-4.
- Bengston, David N. 2019. Scanning the horizon for the future of Arboriculture. Arborist News. 28(4): 26-31.
- Bengston, David N. 2019. Futures Research Methods and Applications in Natural Resources. Society & Natural Resources
- Bengston, David N.; DeVaney, Leif A.; Dockry, Michael J.; Hines, Andy ; Kubik, George H.; Roe, Bo ; Romero, Maria. 2019. Using the Implications Wheel in Horizon Scanning: Exploring Implications of Growing Apathy Toward the Environment. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 34-41.
- Bengston, David N.; Zimmerman, Nicole ; Callaway, Kurt. 2019. Connecting the Dots in the Forest Futures Horizon Scanning Database: An Initial Analysis. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 22-28.
- Callaway, Kurt ; Hines, Andy ; Bengston, David N. 2019. Identifying Current USDA Forest Service Issues to Provide Context for Horizon Scanning. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 29-33.
- Cowart, Adam ; Hines, Andy ; Callaway, Kurt ; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J. 2019. Forest Futures: A Guide for Scanners. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 67-80.
- DeVaney, Leif A.; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J.; Hines, Andy. 2019. Exploration of a Horizon Scanning Trend: Growing Indigenous Empowerment. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 42-48.
- Hines, Andy ; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J. 2019. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 81 p.
- Hines, Andy ; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J.; Cowart, Adam. 2019. Setting Up the Forest Futures Horizon Scanning System. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 5-13.
- Hines, Andy ; Schutte, Johann ; Romero, Maria ; Bengston, David N. 2019. Scenarios to Provide Context for Horizon Scanning: Backcasting North American Forest Futures from 2090 to 2035. In: Hines, Andy; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J., comps. The Forest Futures Horizon Scanning project. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-187. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 49-61.
- Asah, Stanley T.; Bengston, David N.; Westphal, Lynne M.; Gowan, Catherine H. 2018. Mechanisms of children's exposure to nature: Predicting adulthood environmental citizenship and commitment to nature-based activities. Environment and Behavior.
- Bengston, David N. 2018. Principles for Thinking about the Future and Foresight Education. World Futures Review
- Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J.; Shifley, Stephen R. 2018. Anticipating cascading change in land use: Exploring the implications of a major trend in US northern forests. Land Use Policy. 71: 222-229.
- Bengston, David N.; Peck, Jonathan; Olson, Robert; Barros, Melissa; Birdsey, Richard A.; Williams, Daniel R.; Leyva Reyes, Juan Carlos; José Zamudio, Francisco. 2018. North American Forest Futures 2018-2090: Scenarios for Building a More Resilient Forest Sector. World Futures Review
- Hines, Andy ; Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Michael J.; Cowart, Adam. 2018. Setting Up a Horizon Scanning System: A U.S. Federal Agency Example. World Futures Review
- Bengston, David N. 2017. Ten principles for thinking about the future: a primer for environmental professionals. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-175. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 28 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Dockry, Mike; Shifley, Stephen R. 2017. Anticipating cascading change in forests: Seeking a deeper understanding of the future. In: Kabrick, John M.; Dey, Daniel C.; Knapp, Benjamin O.; Larsen, David R.; Shifley, Stephen R.; Stelzer, Henry E., eds. Proceedings of the 20th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2016 March 28-April 1; Columbia, MO. General Technical Report NRS-P-167. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 2-9.
- Bengston, David N.; Dator, J.; Dockry, Mike; Yee, A. 2016. Alternative Futures for Forest-Based Nanomaterials: An Application of the Manoa Schools Alternative Futures Method. World Future Review. 8(3). http://dx/doi.org/10.1177/1946756716659650 25 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Schermann, Michele. 2016. A case study of culturally appropriate conservation education. In: Schneider, Ingrid E.; Kivel, B. Dana, eds. Diversity and Inclusion in the Recreation Profession: Organizational Perspectives (3rd Ed.). Urbana, IL: Sagamore Publishing: 22-26. ISBN/ISSN: 978-1-57167-728-0
- Bengston, D.N. 2015. The Futures Wheel: A method for exploring the implications of social-ecological change. Society & Natural Resources. 29(3): 374-379.
- Bengston, David N.; Olson, Robert L. 2015. Asynchronous online foresight panels: the case of wildfire management. Journal of Futures Studies. 19(4): 1-12.
- Olson, Robert L.; Bengston, David N. 2015. A world on fire. AAI Foresight Report 2; Spring/Summer. Freeland, WA: AAI Foresight. 16 p. http://www.aaiforesight.com/content/world-fire
- Olson, Robert L.; Bengston, David N.; DeVaney, Leif A.; Thompson, Trevor A.C. 2015. Wildland fire management futures: insights from a foresight panel. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-152. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 44 p.
- Bengston, David; Dockry, Michael J. 2014. Forest futures in the Anthropocene: Can trees and humans survive together?. The Futurist. 48(4): 34-39.
- Bengston, David N. 2013. Horizon scanning for environmental foresight: a review of issues and approaches. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-121. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 20 p.
- Asah, Stanley T.; Bengston, David N.; Wendt, Keith; DeVaney, Leif. 2012. Prognostic framing of stakeholders' subjectivities: A case of all-terrain vehicle management on state public lands. Environmental Management. 49: 192-206.
- Asah, Stanley T.; Bengston, David N.; Wendt, Keith; Nelson, Kristen C. 2012. Diagnostic reframing of intractable environmental problems: Case of a contested multiparty public land-use conflict. Journal of Environmental Management. 108: 108-119.
- Bengston, David N. 2012. Foreword. In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 1-3.
- Bengston, David N. 2012. Futures research: A neglected dimension in environmental policy and planning. In: Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 4-12.
- Bengston, David N., comp. 2012. Environmental futures research: experiences, approaches, and opportunities. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-107. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 79 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Kubik, George H.; Bishop, Peter C. 2012. Strengthening environmental foresight: potential contributions of futures research. Ecology and Society. 17(2): 10.
- Bengston, David N.; Olson, Robert L.; DeVaney, Leif A. 2012. The Future of wildland fire management in a world of rapid change and great uncertainty: Overview of a futures research project. In: Proceedings of 3rd human dimensions of wildland fire; 2012 April 17-19; Seattle, WA. Missoula, MT: International Association of Wildland Fire: 34-40.
- Bengston, David N.; Schermann, Michele A.; Hawj, Foung; Moua, MaiKia. 2012. Culturally appropriate environmental education: an example of a partnership with the Hmong American community. Applied Environmental Education & Communication. 11: 1-8.
- Bengston, David N.; Asah, Stanley T.; Butler, Brett J. 2011. The diverse values and motivations of family forest owners in the United States: An analysis of an open-ended question in the National Woodland Owner Survey. Small-Scale Forestry. 10: 339-355.
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P.; Kaye, Roger. 2010. The national public's values and interests related to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: A computer content analysis. International Journal of Wilderness. 16(3): 13-20.
- Bengston, David N.; Butler, Brett J.; Asah, Stanley T. 2009. Values and motivations of private forest owners in the United States: a framework based on open-ended responses in the national woodland owner survey. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 60-66.
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P.; Reed, Patrick; Goldhor-Wilcock, Ashley. 2009. Rapid issue tracking: A method for taking the pulse of the public discussion of environmental policy. Environmental Communication. 3(3): 367-385.
- Bengston, David N.; Schermann, Michele. 2008. Hmong Americans: Issues and strategies related to outdoor recreation. In: Allison, Maria T.; Schneider, Ingrid E., eds. Diversity and the recreation profession: Organizational perspectives, revised edition. State College, PA: Venture Publishing: 19-24.
- Bengston, David N.; Schermann, Michele A.; Moua, Maikia; Lee, Tou Thai. 2008. Listening to neglected voices: Hmong Americans and public lands in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Society and Natural Resources. 21(10): 876-890. Nov.-Dec.
- Bengston, David N.; Schermann, Michele A.; Moua, MiaKia; Lee, Tou Thai. 2008. Hmong Americans and public lands in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In: Weber, Samantha; Harmon, David, eds. Rethinking protected areas in a changing world: Proceedings of the 2007 GWS biennial conference on parks, protected areas, and cultural sites. Hancock, MI: The George Wright Society: 30-35.
- Webb, Trevor J.; Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 2008. Forest Value Orientations in Australia: An Application of Computer Content Analysis. Environmental Management
- Bengston, David N.; Youn, Yeo-Chang. 2006. Urban containment policies and the protection of natural areas: the case of Seoul's greenbelt. Ecology and Society 11(1):3
- Johnson, Jayne Fingerman; Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 2006. Defensible space in the news: public discussion of a neglected topic. In: McCaffrey, S.M., tech. ed. The public and wildland fire management: social science findings for managers. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-1. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 169-174.
- Johnson, Jayne Fingerman; Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P.; Nelson, Kristen C. 2006. U.S. Policy Response to the Fuels Management Problem: An Analysis of the Public Debate About the Healthy Forests Initiative and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. 2006. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 28-30 March 2006; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 59-66
- Bengston, David N., tech. ed. 2005. Policies for managing urban growth and landscape change: a key to conservation in the 21st century. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-265. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 51 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Potts, Robert S.; Fan, David P.; Goetz, Edward G. 2005. An analysis of the public discourse about urban sprawl in the United States: Monitoring concern about a major threat to forests. Forest Policy and Economics 7 (2005) 745-756
- Bengston, David N.; Yeo-Chang, Youn. 2005. Seoul's greenbelt: an experiment in urban containment. In: Bengston, David N., tech. ed. Policies for managing urban growth and landscape change: a key to conservation in the 21st century. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-265. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 27-34
- Fan, David P.; Bengston, David N.; Potts, Robert S.; Goetz, Edward G. 2005. The rise and fall of concern about urban sprawl in the United States: an updated analysis. In: Bengston, David N., tech. ed. Policies for managing urban growth and landscape change: a key to conservation in the 21st century. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-265. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 1-7
- Slavicek, James; Elkinton, Joseph; Podgwaite, John. 2005. Control of the Browntail Moth in Maine with a Baculovirus. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, XV U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2004; 2004 January 13-16; Annapolis, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-332. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 73.
- Bengston, David N. 2004. Listening to Neglected Voices - American Indian Perspectives on Natural Resource Management. Journal of Forestry, January/February 2004, 48-52
- Bengston, David N.; Sanchez, Jose J. 2004. Hispanic American views on the stewardship of federal land management agencies: An exploratory analysis of the Ethnic NewsWatch Database. Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium, February 4-6, 2004, San Francisco, CA. San Francisco: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, San Francisco State University. Pp. 5-9. Available online: http://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/programs/recreation/2004_sarr_proceedings.shtml
- Bengston, David N.; Sanchez, Jose J. 2004. Hispanic American views on the stewardship of federal land management agencies: an exploratory analysis of the Ethnic NewsWatch database. Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium: 2004 February 4-6, San Francisco, California. San Fancisco, CA: San Francisco State University: 5-9
- Bengston, David N.; Webb, Trevor J.; Fan, David P. 2004. Shifting forest value orientations in the United States, 1980-2001: A computer content analysis. Environmental Values 13:373-392
- 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
- Potts, Robert; Gustafson, Eric; Stewart, Susan I.; Thompson, Frank R.; Bergen, Kathleen; Brown, Daniel G.; Hammer, Roger; Radeloff, Volker; Bengston, David; Sauer, John; Sturtevant, Brian. 2004. The Changing Midwest Assessment: land cover, natural resources, and people. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-250. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 87 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Fletcher, Jennifer O. 2003. Public policies for managing urban growth and protecting open space: policy instruments and lessons learned in the United States. Landscape and Urban Planning 69 (2004) 271-286
- Bengston, David N.; Iverson, David C. 2003. Reconstructing Conservation in an Age of Limits: An Ecological Economics Perspective. In: Minteer, Ben A.; Manning, Robert E., eds. Reconstructing Conserveation: Finding Common Ground. Washington, DC: Island Press: 223-238
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 2002. The Recreational Fee Demonstration Program on the national forests: and updated analysis of public attitudes and beliefs, 1996-2001. . Res. Pap. NC-340. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 12 p.
- Bengston, David N.; Xu, George; Fan, David P. 2001. Attitudes toward ecosystem management in the United States, 1992-1998. Society and Natural Resources. Volume 14. 2001. pp. 471-487
- Allen, Steward D.; Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 2000. Exploring the national benefits of Alaska's tongass national forest. In: Bengston, David N., ed. Applications of computer-aided text analysis in natural resources. General Technical Report. NC-211. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 19-25
- Bengston , David N. 2000. Environmental Values related to fish and wildlife lands. Human dimensions of natural resource management : emerging issues and practical applications; 2000 February 1-3; St. Paul, MN. BRD-2000-1. St. Paul MN : Cooperative Park Studies Program, University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources : 126-132.
- Bengston, David N. 2000. Applications of computer-aided text analysis in natural resources.. General Technical Report NC-211. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 2000. The Public Debate about the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program on the U.S. Nation Forests1. SARR Conference Proceedings. p. 31-38. (2000)
- Cuff, Jennifer A.; Bengston, David N.; McTavish, Donald G. 2000. In search of common ground among diverse forest stakeholders: A contextual content analysis of online text. In: Bengston, David N., ed. Applications of computer-aided text analysis in natural resources. General Technical report. NC-211. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 48-54.
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. The public debate about roads on the National Forests : an analysis of the new media : 1994-98. Journal of forestry. Vol. 97, no. 8 (Aug. 1999).:p. 4-10 : ill., col. map.
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. An Innovative Method for Evaluating Strategic Goals in a Public Agency: Conservation Leadership in the U.S. Forest Service. Evaluation Review. Vol. 23 no. 1.:p. 77-100. (1999)
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. Conflict over natural resource management a social indicator based on analysis of online news media text. Society and Natural Resources. Vol. 12. P. 493-500. (1999)
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. The Public Debate about Roads on the National Forest: An Analysis of the News Media. Journal of Forestry. Vol. 97 no. 8.:p. 4-10. (1999)
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P. 1999. Roads On The U.S. nation Forests: An Analysis of Public Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values Expressed in the News Media. Environment and Behavior. Vol. 31 no. 4.:p. 514-539. (1999)
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P.; Celarier, D. N. 1999. A new approach to monitoring the social environment for natural resource management and policy: The case of US national forest benefits and values. Journal of Environmental Management. 56: 181-193. (1999)
- Bengston, David N.; Fan, David P.; Celarier, Doris N. 1997. Monitoring the Social Environment for Forestry: The case of National Forest Benefits and Values. Unites States Department of Agriculture. p.1-17. (1997)
- Bengston, David; Fan, David. 1997. Attitudes toward roads on the National Forests: An analysis of the News Media.. Draft version. 12-22-97. 59p.
- Fan, David; Bengston, David. 1997. Public Debates Shaping Forestry's Future: An Analysis.. Public Debates Shaping Forestry's Future: An Analysis. InfoTrends; St. Paul, MN. 109 p.
- Xu, Zhi; Bengston, David N. 1997. Trends in national forest values among forestry professionals, environmentalists, and the news media, 1982-1993. Society & Natural Resources. 10(1): 43-59.
- Bengston, David N.; Xu, Zhi. 1996. Shifting and Expanding Forest Values: The Case of the U.S. National Forests. The George Wright FORUM 13(2):11-19
- Bengston, David N.; Xu, Zhi. 1995. Changing National Forest Values: a content analysis.. Research Paper NC-323. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
- Bengston, David N. 1994. Changing Forest Values and Ecosystem Management. Society and Natural Resources 7:515-533
- Bengston, David N. 1994. Reply from a Neighboring Village. Society and Natural Resources 7:547-550
- Bengston, David N.; Xu, Zhi. 1993. Impact of Research and Technical Change in Wildland Recreation: Evaluation Issues and Approaches. Leisure Sciences 15(4):251-272
- Stier, Jeffery C.; Bengston, David N. 1992. Technical Change in the North American Forestry Sector: A Review. Forest Science 38(1):134-159
- Xu, Zhi; Bengston, David N.; Gregersen, Hans M.; Lundgren, Allen L. 1992. Regional impacts of technical change: the case of structural particleboard in the United States.. Research Paper NC-304. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
- Gregersen, Hans M.; Lundgren, Allen L.; Jakes, Pamela J.; Bengston, David N. 1989. Identifying emerging issues in forestry as a tool for research planning.. General Technical Report NC-137. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Research Datasets
- Olson, Robert L.; Bengston, David N.; DeVaney, Leif A.; Thompson, Trevor A.C. 2014. Online discussions from a foresight panel: Wildland fire management futures. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2016-0017.
- Potts, Robert S.; Gustafson, Eric J.; Stewart, Susan I.; Thompson, Frank R.; Bergen, Kathleen; Brown, Daniel G.; Hammer, Roger; Radeloff, Volker; Bengston, David; Sauer, John; Sturtevant, Brian. 2005. The changing Midwest assessment: data and shapefiles. St. Paul, MN: USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2005-0003.
National Research Highlights
Children’s connections to nature prove to be lasting
Year: 2017
Childhood nature experiences have lifelong positive effects. Children’s voluntary engagement with nature, as opposed to exposure through schools and other organized programs, can result in benefits such as improved test scores, self-discipline, and reduced behavioral problems. This study examined different mechanisms through which children and youth are exposed to nature and the extent to which different exposure mechanisms are associated with such long-term benefits.
Alternative Futures for Wood-based Nanomaterials
Year: 2016
Forest products researchers are exploring the potential of nano-products from wood. Possible uses of these renewable products could include high-end compostable electronics, paint-on solar panels, strong and lightweight materials for airplanes and cars, and hundreds of other uses. This research explored the possible transformative implications of wood-based nanomaterials on forestry, forest products, and society.
Scientists Examine the Future of Forests in the Anthropocene
Year: 2014
Forest Service researchers analyzed the major issues and factors affecting forests in the decades ahead: deforestation, mega-fires, urban forests and growing urban populations, the end of wilderness, and water. Potential "game changers" for forest ecosystems include bioenergy and wood-based nanomaterials, synthetic biology, and runaway climate change. Developing the necessary foresight and tackling these issues now is needed to pass on the legacy of a healthy natural world.
Environmental Futures Research: Experiences, Approaches, and Opportunities
Year: 2013
A Forest Service scientist organized a conference session that explored the trans-disciplinary field of futures research and its application to long-range environmental analysis, planning, and policy. He discussed how futures research can offer perspectives and methods that help researchers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders explore alternative futures and gain environmental foresight. Futures research holds great potential for developing the forward thinking needed to meet environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Culturally Appropriate Conservation Education for the Hmong American Community
Year: 2011
Forest Service researchers produced a conservation education DVD in partnership with the Hmong community titled The Wildlife and Wilderness Exploration Show. The DVD puts a modern twist on traditional Hmong storytelling, delivering key messages in entertaining and educational segments covering a wide range of topics. The educational messages were identified through interviews with Hmong natural resource professionals across the US.