This research considers acculturation by Mexican and Chinese groups in
the United States and how participation in five nature-based outdoor
recreation activities may be an indicator of acculturation to American
society. We argue that the greater incidence of professional human capital
among Chinese immigrants helps this group acculturate more quickly than
Mexicans, who are more likely to be labor immigrants and that as a result,
Chinese immigrants will be more likely than Mexican immigrants to
participate in nature-based outdoor recreation activities. We also posit
that US-born Chinese have a greater likelihood of participation compared
to US-born Mexicans. Results show Chinese immigrant participation is
distinguished only slightly from Mexican immigrant participation; no
differences were found between US-born Chinese and US-born Mexicans.
Within-group comparisons show immigrant Chinese participation to be more
aligned with US-born Chinese participation than immigrant Mexican
participation to US-born Mexican participation. Results from this study
are intended to help raise awareness among environmental professionals of
the different ways nature may be perceived by various cultural groups and
also to alert managers of the important role natural resources can play in
acculturating immigrants to US society.
