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Browsing by Author "Newman, Peter, advisor"

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    An evaluation of wilderness character as a framework for monitoring and measuring wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Leslie, Colin Robert, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Pettebone, David, committee member; Schultz, Courtney, committee member
    The Wilderness Act of 1964 (Pub.L. 88-577) provided for the statutory designation of wilderness areas in the United States through the creation of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). While the Wilderness Act specifies requirements for wilderness designation, it does not specify how agencies should manage wilderness areas, other than to "[preserve] the wilderness character of the area." Over the last 50 years a number of frameworks and methods for managing and assessing wilderness have been proposed. Recently, Wilderness Character Monitoring (WCM) has emerged as a promising framework for quantify the status and trend of wilderness character within management areas. While interagency efforts have been largely successful in establishing the WCM framework across all four managing agencies, few studies have been conducted evaluating the process of WCM, particularly as it relates to the broader goals of wilderness management. This thesis explores the potential for wilderness character concepts to inform wilderness management through the presentation of four chapters. The first chapter provides an introduction to the concept of wilderness character including a brief history of wilderness, its associated values and some management challenges. Chapters two and three present independent manuscripts that seek to better understand wilderness character from two different scales of analysis: conceptual overview and measurement of a specific wilderness value, respectively. Chapter two (first manuscript) evaluates wilderness character by applying the WCM framework to the newly established Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness. The introduction and methods sections provide an overview of the study area, the WCM monitoring structure, and additional evaluative criteria used for the selection of measures. Selected measures are then presented in the results section, followed by a discussion of insights and considerations gained from both the final list of measures as well as the selection process itself. Chapter three (second manuscript) evaluates one discrete value or measure of wilderness: soundscapes. Specifically, this study examines the potential of Observer Based Source Identification Logging (OBSIL) to inform soundscapes assessments in wilderness by measuring audibility metrics. The two metrics used are a) percent time audible (PTA), which represents the extent within a given timeframe a particular source is audible; and b) the noise-free interval (NFI), which represents the length (usually average) that no non-natural sounds are audible. Findings from this study indicate both a high potential of OBSIL to inform soundscape assessments and provides several insights that support the need for better understanding of the wilderness acoustical environment. Chapter four concludes this thesis with a discussion of insights gained regarding the potential of WCM in the larger context of wilderness stewardship.
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    An examination of the value of community in natural resources education
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Archie, Tim, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Vaske, Jerry, committee member; Bruyere, Brett, committee member; Most, David, committee member
    The Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR) at Colorado State University has purposefully implemented a range of programs which emphasize social factors, such as sense of community, and are designed to increase the likelihood of student success. Typical measures of student success in WCNR (and higher education in general) have included student outcomes such as: retention, engagement, learning, and enhancing the overall student experience. However, little is known to what extent social factors such as sense of community have value in influencing student outcomes such as retention, learning, and students' overall experience. Therefore, the overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine the value of community in influencing student outcomes. This dissertation studied the role of community in influencing student outcomes in two types of academic programs (learning communities & fieldwork courses) and examined how students' level of social engagement within the WCNR community was related to their overall experience within the college. Chapter one outlines theories of student retention, experiential learning, and student engagement. Chapters two and three examined academic programs that have been shown to promote a sense of community: a residential first year learning community (chapter two) and fieldwork course (chapter three). In chapter four, the investigation of community was expanded beyond single programs and explored the extent to which students' social experience and participation in the WCNR community is related to their satisfaction with their overall experience within the college. Chapter five provides summaries of these studies and implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research. The first study examined sense of community in residential learning communities. Learning communities have been shown to effectively retain students and promote a sense of community, but it is unclear to what extent learning communities' effectiveness in retaining students can be attributed to sense of community. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the value of the sense of community created by learning communities in influencing student persistence. The results of this study indicated that learning communities were effective in promoting a sense of community and students were generally not planning to leave the institution because their sense of community needs were not met. The second study examined the value of experiential learning in a fieldwork course at Pingree Park. Prior work has shown that fieldwork courses are effective in producing knowledge and skills that are transferable beyond the course, and a sense of community, but it is unclear to what extent the effectiveness of fieldwork courses in producing these outcomes can be attributed to a sense of community. The findings of this study indicated that sense of community had value in influencing knowledge and subsequently confidence in knowledge and skills gained in a residentially based field course. Additionally, sense of community had a significantly weaker effect on these outcomes, likely due to the less immersive social interactions with peers and the quality of sense of community they experienced compared to residential field course participants. The third and final study explored social engagement in the WCNR and the value of social engagement in influences student satisfaction. Social engagement was reflective of students' perceptions and level of participation of social components of the WCNR community. The findings of this study indicated that the more socially engaged a student is, the more satisfied they were with their WCNR experience. Additionally, active and collaborative learning, which is incorporated in many WCNR programs, was shown to positively influence social engagement. These findings suggest that the programs designed which incorporate active and collaborative learning have value in influencing students' perceptions and level of participation in the WCNR community and subsequently their overall satisfaction with WCNR.
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    An exploration of visitor motivations: the search for silence
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Marin, Lelaina Denise, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Fristrup, Kurt M., committee member; Lawson, Steve, committee member
    This research aims to study the relationship between visitor motivations for experiencing solitude, sounds of nature, and quiet and a visitor's soundscape experience. This relationship will improve managers' ability to provide satisfying and diverse experiences for their visitors and "protect" something that is increasingly rare outside of national parks and other protected natural areas; natural sounds and quiet. Chapter 1 focuses on the effect motivation for a quiet setting can have on acceptability of natural or human-caused sound in Muir Woods National Monument. This study used a dose-response methodology where visitors listened to five audio recordings varying in the percentage of time that human-caused sound was louder than natural sound (percent time above). Visitors were then asked to rate the acceptability of each recording. Three sound-related motivations for visiting Muir Woods were examined: "enjoying peace and quiet", "hearing sounds of nature" and "experiencing solitude." Cluster analysis was used to identify discrete groups with similar motivational profiles (i.e., low, moderate and high motivation for quiet). Results indicated that as percent time above natural sound increased, visitor ratings of human-caused sound decreased. Tolerance for human-caused sound also decreased as motivation for quiet increased. Consensus regarding the acceptability of sound was greatest when the percent time above natural sound was lowest (i.e., quietest sounds). Chapter 2 describes a study of the ability of motivations to predict which of three locations a visitor would most likely choose for recreation. Particular focus was given to sound-related motivations. Data for this study were collected at three sites with varying visitation levels within two national parks; Sequoia National Park-backcountry (low visitation), Sequoia National Park-frontcountry (moderate visitation), and Muir Woods National Monument -frontcountry (high visitation). Survey respondents were asked to rate the importance of six items in their decision to visit the particular park; (a) scenic beauty; (b) experience solitude; (c) time with family and friends; (d) get exercise; (e) experience the sounds of nature; and (f) peace and quiet. Results showed that, of the three study sites, those visitors more motivated to spend time with family and friends and experience the sounds of nature were more likely to visit a frontcountry site, while those motivated for experiencing solitude and getting exercise were more likely to visit a backcountry site. The experience of peace and quiet was not a significant predictor of park location chosen, suggesting that respondents were similarly motivated for quiet across all three sites. Both chapters in this thesis reveal interesting results that may cause managers to consider soundscape management differently in frontcountry and backcountry areas of national parks. For example, these results imply setting acoustic standards, designating management zones, and using education programs to manage for and meet varying levels of motivation for experiencing natural sounds and quiet.
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    Human responses to simulated motorized noise in national parks
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Weinzimmer, David, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Manfredo, Michael, committee member; Bell, Paul, committee member
    This thesis investigated the effects of three sources of motorized noise on laboratory participants' evaluations of landscape scenes, self-reported affective states, and physiological responses in simulated national park settings. Seventy-seven laboratory participants completed landscape assessments along 8 aesthetic dimensions and reported affective states while listening to audio clips of natural sounds, propeller planes, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Each participant experienced all scenes and sound conditions in a pseudo-randomized order. The change from the natural sound baseline for each motorized source of noise was calculated. Results indicated that all motorized sources of noise had detrimental impacts on landscape assessments and self-reported affective states, compared to natural sounds. Motorcycle noise was demonstrated to have the largest negative impact on landscape assessments. Physiological response was also affected by experimental noise in some of the conditions (with the strongest effect in the snowmobile condition), but a consistent pattern of results failed to emerge to suggest that negative impacts to human physiology could be reliably detected under the present methodology. In addition to confirming that noise from motorized recreation has significant social impacts on potential park visitors, this simulation suggests that the specific source of the noise is an important factor in observer evaluations. These results could help park managers prioritize their educational and regulatory strategies for minimizing adverse impacts by motorized vehicles on natural soundscapes. Important advances in soundscape research methodology are also presented.
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    Influencing Leave No Trace behavioral intentions in frontcountry visitors to national and state parks
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Lawhon, James B., author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Vagias, Wade, committee member; Payne, Sarah, committee member; Bruyere, Brett, committee member
    Resource degradation resulting from visitor behavior continues to be a significant concern for land managers, and effective educational messages such as those promoted through Leave No Trace, which target depreciative behaviors, are imperative. This thesis examined psychological and knowledge variables that were hypothesized to influence Leave No Trace behavioral intent of visitors to national and state parks. While knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of outdoor enthusiasts in the context of Leave No Trace have been studied in backcountry visitors, research pertaining to frontcountry visitors is limited. Chapter 1 examined specific factors that influence Leave No Trace behavioral intent in visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park. Data were obtained from an on-site survey administered to individuals (N = 390, response rate 74%) in the Bear Lake corridor of the park. Results of a regression analysis revealed that perceived effectiveness of Leave No Trace practices is a significant predictor of future behavioral intent (B > .21, p < .001, in all cases). Frontcountry visitors like those at Bear Lake are more likely to practice Leave No Trace if they perceive the practices to be effective at reducing impacts. Chapter 2 examined variables that were hypothesized to influence Leave No Trace behavioral intent in state park visitors. Data were obtained from an on-site survey administered to individuals (N = 346, response rate 93%) in three Wyoming state parks and historic sites. Results suggest that both attitudes and the perceived effectiveness of Leave No Trace practices are meaningful predictors of behavioral intent in state park visitors, and that messaging targeting these variables can be effective at influencing behavioral intent. Both chapters in this thesis provide specific managerial implications that could strengthen Leave No Trace educational efforts in frontcountry locations by targeting specific attitudes and perceptions about recommended Leave No Trace practices in order to influence behavioral intentions. Furthermore, the results indicate that visitors to national parks and state parks could generally benefit from a more uniform approach to Leave No Trace education, which is likely to enhance overall adoption of Leave No Trace by land managers across the agency spectrum.
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    Messaging and national park visitor attitudes
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Taff, Brendan Derrick, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Bright, Alan, committee member; Timpson, William, committee member; Vagias, Wade, committee member
    National Park Service annual visitation is approaching 300 million, and managers must balance internal stress, such as visitor use, and external stress, such as noise from aircraft overflights, while protecting resource and social conditions. Attitudes affect visitor perceptions of these influences, and largely determine behaviors via behavioral intentions. The purpose of this dissertation is to evaluate national park visitor attitudes, specifically in regard to Leave No Trace minimum impact practices, alternative transportation, and soundscapes, and to increase understanding of effective strategies, such as educational messaging, which can alter visitor attitudes, perceptions and behaviors. This dissertation summarizes three studies and is presented as three journal articles suitable for submission to tier one or two journals. It begins by describing the origins of visitor capacity in national parks, and the associated frameworks and theoretical models that assess visitor perceptions and assist with the creation of effective messaging. The Theory of Planned Behavior and the Elaboration Likelihood Model are introduced as pertinent frameworks to the development of effective messaging which can alter visitor attitudes and perceptions. Chapters two and three present studies which evaluated visitor attitudes in NPS units, and chapter four builds upon this understanding by testing theoretically-based messaging with park visitors to determine if messaging can alter perceptions. Chapter five connects these studies by discussing how messaging can be applied in parks to alter visitor attitudes, perceptions and behaviors, while suggesting implications of the results and recommendations for future research. Study one investigates day-user and backcountry-overnight visitor attitudes concerning Leave No Trace at Rocky Mountain and Olympic National Parks. Leave No Trace is the most prominent educational message used to influence behaviors of protected-areas visitors with the end-goal of sustaining or improving resource conditions. The majority of previous research regarding Leave No Trace has focused on backcountry-overnight visitors. However, day-users are by far the largest user group of protected areas, and yet, research focused on this large and growing segment of users has been neglected. The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding of day-user knowledge, awareness and perceptions, and attitudes regarding Leave No Trace and compare them with those of overnight users. Greater understanding of the similarities and differences between these two user-groups is essential so that management can improve efficacy and create effective messaging strategies that alter behaviors and curb depreciative actions. Study two examines visitor attitudes toward alternative transportation systems in Rocky Mountain and Yosemite National Parks. The National Park Service is increasingly using alternative transportation to accommodate escalating visitation, while reducing the reliance upon personal vehicles that have attributed to resource and social condition impacts. Understanding of visitor perceptions of alternative transportation is vital for managers so that they may develop effective management strategies, frameworks, and messaging concerning alternative transportation use, yet little is known about visitor attitudes toward these systems. The purpose of this study was to examine visitor attitudes toward the alternative transportation experience and to determine salient variables that can be applied to user capacity frameworks, communication strategies, and park planning. Study three explores the role of educational messaging on visitor perceptions of military aircraft sounds in Sequoia National Park. Mandates require that the National Park Service protect natural soundscape, and research suggests that opportunities to experience natural sounds are among the most important reasons for visiting parks. Aircraft overflights are a significant source of anthropogenic noise intrusion in parks, and studies suggest that visitors frequently find these events annoying and unacceptable. The National Park Service must integrate methods to mitigate these impacts, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of educational messaging and to determine if this information can significantly affect visitor acceptability of military aircraft sounds by altering visitor expectations.
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    Photograph presentation order and range effects in visual based outdoor recreation research
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Gibson, Adam Wesley, author; Newman, Peter, advisor; Bell, Paul, committee member; Fristrup, Kurt, committee member; Lawson, Steve, committee member
    Visual based research methods, referring to the use of visual images to represent recreation resource conditions, are commonly used in outdoor recreation research to investigate appropriate levels of visitor use. Visual methods were developed to allow for the simulation of recreation resource conditions that would be difficult to describe using narrative methods. The research contained in this dissertation builds on previous research related to visual based methods of outdoor recreation. While data from visual based research methods can provide a strong empirical basis to support outdoor recreation management decision-making, visual research methods applied in this context are subject to several potential sources of measurement bias. These potential sources of bias include effects associated with photograph presentation order, and effects associated with the range of resource conditions depicted. These two biases are respectively referred to as order effect and range effect. This dissertation examines the issues of order and range effect biases in visual based outdoor recreation research. In a lab setting, respondents were asked to rate a series of photographs of a recreation site in Rocky Mountain National Park in terms if the acceptability of the number of people at one time (PAOT) as depicted in the photographs. In order to test for order effects, respondents were separated into six groups where photograph presentation order differed for each group. Results from qualitative and quantitative analyses indicate photograph presentation order significantly affected photograph acceptability ratings. In order to test for range effects, respondents were divided into seven groups where PAOT range differed for each group. Results from qualitative and quantitative analyses indicate range significantly affected photograph acceptability ratings. Results from the investigations of order and range effects suggest a number of different principles that could be applied to future studies employing visual based methods. These principles are discussed along with future avenues of research that were uncovered through the course of the investigations of order and range effect biases.
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    Quantifying and modeling visitor use in Yosemite National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Pettebone, David, author; Newman, Peter, advisor
    Three manuscripts are presented in this dissertation. The first entitled "Estimating Visitor Use at Attraction Sites and Trailheads Using Automated Visitor Counters in Yosemite National Park" is a methodological paper that examines the use of automated visitor counters, a commonly used device to estimate visitor use in parks and protected areas. This study was conducted in Yosemite National Park in the summer of 2007 and used automated visitor counters to estimate visitor use at several locations in Yosemite Valley. One hundred thirty five hours of direct observations were conducted among six study sites to estimate monitor counting errors. Methods to treat missing monitor data and methods to estimate accurate visitor use counts from automated monitors are discussed. Results show a very strong relationship between observed visitor counts and automated monitor counts (R2 > 0.95) and visitor use estimates are presented for all study sites. This study shows that automated visitor use monitors produce consistent data from which reliable estimates of visitor use can be calculated.