Resource-Based Recreation Studies

• Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Study. National Park Service
  
   Dr. Mae Davenport conducted qualitative content analysis on the motives, perceptions, and natural resource values of visitors for use in development of the General Management Plan. A total of 923 visitors in 422 groups were contacted and interviewed on-site. Indicators of recreational experience quality were examined and perceptions of crowding identified. Comparative analysis on values that visitors assign to the Wilderness Area and values they assign to the rest of the National Scenic River was conducted using a questionnaire administered to 556 visitors just outside the Wilderness Area. Prepared and presented final report.

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• Socioeconomic Analysis and Recreational Facilities Assessment. Douglas County, Washington
  
   Active and passive regional recreation facilities throughout Douglas County are provided by a mix of federal, state and local agencies. In coordination with several regional land use and transportation projects, Resource Dimensions conducted community socio-demographic assessments and socioeconomic analyses to evaluate available recreation opportunities and determine the potential for new resources. Active regional recreational facilities provided by these agencies are typically associated with the Columbia River and its surrounding natural resource amenities. Our evaluation included day use and camping facilities, and passive regional recreational activities as hiking, hunting, fishing, nature watching and photography.

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• Evaluation of the Pennsylvania 4-H Sportfishing Program. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
  
   Resource Dimensions evaluated the sportfishing program in terms of its usefulness and viability as a curriculum to provide children with the opportunity and ability to become anglers, regardless of location or socioeconomic constraints. In selected counties, short surveys and focus groups were administered to Pennsylvanian youth, ages 10-12 in both rural and urban 4-H settings. Preliminary findings indicate that parental attitude towards fishing and social inclusion of youth is an important influence on a child's experience and attitude towards fishing. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. Data was gathered using varied survey formats, including questionnaires, focus groups, and surveys.

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• Alaska Habitat Guides Project: Economic Overview of Fish and Wildlife Use. Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
  
   Ginny Fay conducted a comprehensive analysis and prepared report on the economic role of commercial fishing, sportfishing, hunting, subsistence, and non-consumptive use of fish and wildlife in the Alaskan economy. Other major projects included development of an entry limitation program and regulations and fiscal modeling of Alaska commercial fisheries.

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• Yellowstone National Park Winter Visitor Analysis: An exploration of the nature of recreation experiences and perceptions of management change. National Park Service
  
   Winter recreation use in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) was examined to assist Park managers in their decision making about winter visitation. The Resource Dimensions Team undertook a holistic approach to investigating the social impacts of winter recreation and snowmobile use in YNP to evaluate winter visitor characteristics, motivations, satisfaction, and support for a range of management actions, as well as to evaluate visitor travel dynamics. Resource Dimensions developed an interview guide, conducted interviews, review of transcripts, coding, and qualitative content analysis to examine meanings ascribed to recreational activities, experiences, and setting characteristics and identify factors shaping visitors’ attitudes toward management decisions. Data were collected in mail-back questionnaires, on-site surveys, and hourly oversnow vehicle counts. This project was also instrumental in guiding development of the winter use plans for Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway.

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• Snowmobiling in National Parks: An Investigation of the Meanings of Snowmobiling Experiences in Yellowstone. National Park Service
  
   Mae Davenport conducted qualitative content analysis on the motives, perceptions, and natural resource values of visitors for use in development of the General Management Plan. A total of 923 visitors in 422 groups were contacted and interviewed onsite. Indicators of quality recreational experiences were examined and perceptions of crowding identified. Comparative analysis on values that visitors assign to the Wilderness Area and values they assign to the rest of the National Scenic River was conducted using a questionnaire administered to 556 visitors just outside the Wilderness Area. Prepared and presented final report.

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• Jefferson National Forest Visitor Realignment Project and Resource Management Plan Update EIS. USDA Forest Service.
  
   Dr. Erin Seekamp led development of the public involvement process which included conducting visitor survey and stakeholder interviews in connection with plan revisions and updates. The project sought to fully integrate public participation into the forest planning process, recognizing that it is for the public, as well as for the resources on national forest lands that plans are developed and implemented. Interviews identified public perceptions of environmental quality relative to Jefferson National Forest lands. Interview data was transcribed, coded, and analyzed using QSR*NUDIST, a program similar to Ethnograph and designed to aid in analysis of complex qualitative data.

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• Recreation and Tourism Analysis Lower Snake Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Study and EIS. US Army Corps of Engineers
  
   Dr. Chuck Harris lead a multidisciplinary team in developing the research approach and survey design, and in conducting data collection, regional research, socioeconomic analyses, coding, qualitative analysis and evaluation of the recreation and tourism impacts related to the Lower Snake River and a proposed salmon migration feasibility study. Various NEPA-compliant reports were also prepared.

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• Denali National Park and Preserve Community Transportation Plan. National Park Service
  
   Working with Park Staff and a transportation consultant, Ginny Fay assisted in the design of a community transportation system to improve transportation and shuttle bus service for visitors to Denali National Park. The project sought to both provide a lower cost and more efficient system for businesses serving Denali visitors, and to improve transportation options for seasonal employees in the Denali area.

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• Linking Heritage Landscapes and Ecosystem Management Mount Hood National Forest. USDA Forest Service.
   
  
   Dr. Grace Wang analyzed the integration of ecosystem management and heritage management, especially with regard to American Indians in Mount Hood National Forest. Four fundamental principles of ecosystem management were used to guide the heritage resources management process including use of an ecological perspective, forming partnerships, promoting grass-roots participation, and using scientific knowledge learned over the course of the project. A technical report was prepared for the Mount Hood National Forest, Zig Zag Ranger District.

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