Christopher J. Wynveen, PhD

Dr. Chris Wynveen is a professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation who focuses on teaching and researching the management and provision of recreation and leisure services. Prior to receiving his PhD from Texas A&M and master's degree from Clemson University, he worked with youth at several residential summer camps, including 2 years as a camp director. Dr. Wynveen also has experience as a deputy sheriff in Wisconsin, which he began upon completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois. Dr. Wynveen brings this unique set of experiences into the classroom and research. Beyond his university responsibilities, he currently serves as the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.

Dr. Wynveen's research focuses on the human dimensions of natural resource management. Specifically, he has a continuing interest in the meanings recreational visitors ascribe to parks and other protected areas and how understanding those meanings can lead to more effective stakeholder engagement. Place meaning to refer to the thoughts and feelings people hold for specific settings. The concept provides the foundation for understanding other constructs important to the human-environment relationships (e.g. sense of place and place attachment) and the sustainable management of protected areas (e.g. relationships between various resource uses and recreation users, community stakeholder involvement, and collaborative management).

Other research interests include recreation behavior as it relates to the management of parks and other protected areas. Dr. Wynveen developed his knowledge of this area through projects related to the enforcement of regulations and laws in parks, management of game species through hunter behavior, and community and stakeholder involvement in the management of publicly owned recreation resource areas. Lastly, he has also been involved in projects related to the evaluation of grassroots conservation projects and facility and program needs assessments of state and national parks and protected areas.

Research Interests:

• Place attachment/place meaning
• Stakeholder engagement
• Hunter recruitment, retention, and re-engagement
• Human dimensions of natural resource management
• Conservation psychology

Current Courses Taught:

• RLS 2301 Camp Counseling & Administration
• RLS3396 Recreation Field Lab
• RLS 4391 Leisure Services Management
• RLS 4392 Professional Issues in Leisure Services (Research & Evaluation)
• RLS 4331 Meaning, Culture and Philosophy of American Landscape
• RLS 4V13/ENV 4613 Baylor in Australia (Program Director)