Designing Better Visitor Experiences: How Ben Lawhon Helps Parks Navigate Change
We’re thrilled to spotlight Ben Lawhon, Founder and Principal of Recreation Solutions Group, and one of the leading voices in visitor use management and outdoor recreation planning.
With over 25 years of conservation and visitor management experience, Ben brings unmatched expertise to his work with parks, protected areas, and communities. For two decades, he served as the Senior Director of Research and Consulting at Leave No Trace, where he led nationally recognized research initiatives and helped shape best practices in low-impact recreation. His contributions include publishing over 22 peer-reviewed articles and serving on the Recreate Responsibly Coalition Steering Committee—a testament to his leadership and dedication to collaborative resource protection.
Ben will be joining SORP’s upcoming webinar, "Career Navigation Tools for Outdoor Professionals," on August 13 at 1pm MT, where he’ll share lessons learned from his career path and offer strategies for growing a purpose-driven career in the outdoor recreation field.
Reflecting on his journey, Ben shared how SORP became a vital resource during his transition from the nonprofit world to independent consulting:
"After spending more than two decades in the nonprofit sector, where I only peripherally knew of SORP, I discovered its true value when I transitioned to private consulting. Now, as a sole proprietor, I've gained immense professional benefits from SORP's community of practice, including invaluable networking opportunities at two conferences and a VUM workshop that connected me with federal and state land managers, academics, and fellow consultants... SORP has become my primary resource for staying current and advancing my skills as a recreation professional."
We’re honored to have Ben as part of our community and excited to learn from his perspective in the upcoming webinar.
Register for the webinar here: https://tinyurl.com/47drtzkj
August 13 | 1pm MT