Mapping heritage ecosystem services in ecological restoration areas: A case study from the East Cascades, Washington

Systems-based land management frameworks such as ecosystem services can improve cultural resource management and outdoor recreation in natural areas. We analyzed data from a participatory mapping survey of forest values from an ecological restoration area in the East Cascades, which provide conceptual and methodological tools that can be utilized in land management more widely. We also consulted archaeological, paleo-ecological, and traditional land use data to link heritage values with cultural landscapes. Heritage benefits mapped by respondents were associated with connections to landscapes, sites and resources, and with outdoor recreation. Respondents noted connections to historic vocational identities such as mining and logging, as well as sacred and spiritual activities associated with American Indian Tribes. These heritage connections and benefits were closely tied to natural resources, such as timber, mountains, watersheds, and forest products. In some cases, heritage and biophysical ecosystem services share synergies with regard to potential land management effects, while others would result in tensions or trade-offs for various beneficiaries. Integrated resource management provides a more holistic and informed view of land values that move beyond cultural and biophysical dichotomies, expanding the potential for managing outdoor recreation and heritage