Associate Professor, Recreation and Leisure Studies
My research examines the ways outdoor experiences influence the quality of life of both people and the environment with the goal of enhancing health and nature connection for all. I’m also a member of research team contributing to scholarship that critically addresses issues of justice and inclusion in multiple corners of action sports and outdoor recreation. Much of my research, teaching, and service involves collaborating with outdoor education programs and park management agencies such as the Niagara Parks Commission, Ontario Parks, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Leave No Trace Canada, NOLS, and ALIVE Outdoors. I have taught a variety of undergraduate courses in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies including risk management, leadership, outdoor and environmental education, and qualitative approaches to inquiry. I currently teach courses within the new concurrent BRLS (Outdoor Education)/Bachelor of Education degree program and I support graduate students in their research on nature-based programs, sport, leisure, and health.
- Action sports
- Outdoor education’s impact on pro-environmental behaviour intentions
- Place meanings in outdoor spaces
- Social media’s effectiveness in parks and protected areas
- Leave No Trace Canada Instructor
- Faculty Affiliate, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
- Volunteer, Ontario Alliance of Climbers
- Former Instructor, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)
- ALIVE Outdoors
Brock University Students’ Union Award for Teaching Excellence, June 2012
Best Practices Teaching Award, Brock University, May 2009
Martin, B., Hutson, G, & Goldenberg, M. (2025). Outdoor and adventure recreation. In T. Tapps, & M.S. Wells, (Eds.), Introduction to Recreation and Leisure (3rd. ed.), (pp. 337-375). Human Kinetics.
Foster, J. S., Hutson, G., Plummer, R., O’Connell, T. S. (2025). Social media communications for behavior management in Ontario’s parks and protected areas: A qualitative analysis of manager and visitor experiences. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2025-12505
Hutson, G., Baird, J., Ives, C. D., Dale, G., Holzer, J. M., & Plummer, R. (2024). Outdoor adventure education as a platform for developing environmental leadership. People and Nature, 00, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10699
Stuart, S., Plummer, R., Dale, G., & Hutson, G. (2024). Community assets in the context of COVID-19: Changes in valuation and contributions to place attachment and subjective wellbeing. Community Development, 1–18. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.1080/15575330.2024.2379857
Flynn, J., Hernandez, L., Carter, D.P., & Hutson, G. (2024). Examining attitudes towards inclusion and social justice among U.S. climbers: Analysis and findings from a national survey. Leisure Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2023.2256028
Baird, J., Dale, G., Holzer, J.M., Hutson, G., Ives, C.D., & Plummer, R. (2022). The role of a nature-based program in fostering multiple connections to nature. Sustainability Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01119-w
Witkowski, S., Plummer, R., & Hutson, G. (2022, Special Issue – Sustainability and Outdoor Recreation Management on Public Lands). Influences of engaging in a participatory monitoring and evaluation process on stakeholder perceptions of key performance indicators for trails. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 40(1), 115-133. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.18666/JPRA-2021-10953
Carter, D. P., Hutson, G., Lam, P., Rose, J., & Furman, N. (2020). The self-governance challenges facing climbers with examples from Utah, Colorado, and Ontario. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 31, 100323. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.1016/j.jort.2020.100323
Baird, J., Hutson, G., & Plummer, R. (2020). Examining links between connections to nature and intentions for pro-environmental behavior as outcomes of NOLS. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 12(4), 367-379. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.18666/JOREL-2020-V12-I4-9992
Hutson, G., Peredun, L., & Rochelle, S. (2019). The impact of NOLS Rocky Mountain on the development of a sense of place. Journal of Experiential Education, 42(4), 382-397. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.1177/1053825919865580
RECL 2P16 Outdoor Recreation Theory and Practices I
RECL 3P26 Outdoor and Environmental Education
RECL 3P42 Nature, Health, and Wellbeing
RECL 4P96 Social and Environmental Justice in Recreation
I supervise undergraduate thesis research, directed readings, placements, and internships. Please reach out via email to discuss further.
I’m currently accepting graduate students. Please reach out via email to discuss further.
Recent Master’s Projects
Horn, R. (in progress). Designing trauma-informed outdoor adventure education: A synthesis of practices to support resilience, mental health, and inclusive program design. (second reader).
Iacbucci, J. (in progress). Leisure and liminality: Perceived experiences of leisure time in substance use disorder recovery across supported and non-supported care settings. (committee member).
Asdemir, F. (in progress). Exploring the role of leisure in the acculturation of Turkish immigrant women in Canada. (committee member).
Quinn, J. (in progress). Examining how sponsorship is managed in a professional niche sport league and its teams. (committee member).
Foo, C. (2025). Sport policy in Prince Edward Island: A case study. (committee member).
Spatazzo, W. (2023). Biking through the eyes of kids: The lived experiences of kids riding bikes in their neighborhood. (co-supervisor).
Smoke, A. (2023). Exploring youth experiences in nature through a health equity lens: A qualitative study. (committee member).
Losardo, D. (2023). Regions, provincial sport organizations, and organizational fields in sport governance. A case study of Ontario, Canada. (committee member).
Foster, J. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of parks and protected area social media communications for behavior management. (supervisor).
Stuart, S. (2022). Investigating people-place dynamics in unprecedented times: Place attachment and subjective wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. (committee member).
Leblanc, M. (2020). The effects of water-based outdoor education on children’s environmental relationships: A case study. (committee member).
