Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10217/100459

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 98

Open Access
A case study of social capital and collaboration as a communication process in an urban community-based ecological restoration project
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) DiEnno, Cara Marie, author; Berry, Joyce K., advisor; Cottrel, Stuart P., committee member; Fernandez-Gimenez, Maria Edith, committee member; Thompson, Jessica Leigh, committee member; Bruyere, Brett L., committee member
This case study examines the role of social capital and collaboration as a communicative process in an urban, nonprofit organization. The organization, the Partners for Native Plants (PNP) group, was a grant- funded project of a western U.S. nonprofit botanical organization designed to involve urbanites in riparian plant restoration projects. The PNP project was examined to (a) determine whether engagement in the social capital cycle could lead to an environmental ethic among urban participants and (b) test a combined collaboration framework, based on the Bona Fide Group Collaboration Model (Walker, Craig, and Stohl, 1998) and the Structural Model of Collaboration developed by Keyton, Ford, and Smith (2008), in a new context as PNP differs from traditional collaborating groups. Data were collected over a yearlong period through a review of organizational documents, in-depth interviews, a focus group, and open-ended questionnaires. Results demonstrate how social capital can be conceptualized as a cycle including (a) engagement, (b) social networks, (c) collective action, and (d) individual and social benefits. I found two impediments to enhancing an environmental ethic among PNP participants. First, Volunteer Leaders and Volunteer Participants had markedly different experiences while engaged with PNP, resulting in varying levels of satisfaction. In addition, participants' environmental ethic was not significantly enhanced by the project because participants already held strong pro-environmental values at the inception of the project, which motivated them to participate initially. The advocacy behaviors of PNP participants did increase, however. These results suggest that when participants in ecological restoration projects are willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with others in their communities, there may be potential for building an urban environmental ethic. Findings also suggest that a combined model of collaboration, based on the Bona Fide Group Collaboration Model and the Structural Model of Collaboration, is well suited to make sense of small community-based conservation projects. An understanding of the collaborative process through both the structural components and the communicative components including environmental exigency, collaborative partners, relational boundaries, negotiated temporary systems, and goals and outcomes yield best practice suggestions for organizations such as PNP.
Open Access
A guiding model for decolonizing environmental science research and restoring relational accountability with Indigenous communities
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) David-Chavez, Dominique M., author; Gavin, Michael C., advisor; Balgopal, Meena, committee member; Cajete, Gregory, committee member; Galvin, Kathleen, committee member; Valdez, Shelly, committee member
In this body of work, I examine the process and methodologies applied in scientific research by, on, and with Indigenous communities with an emphasis on diverse ways of knowing in environmental sciences, natural resources, and climate research. Effectively addressing complex social-ecological issues faced within our current and future generations, such as extreme climate variability and environmental justice, will require all relevant sources of knowledge and data, including those held by historically marginalized communities who remain close to the land. Indigenous knowledge systems, informed through generations of careful observation of dynamics of environmental changes are recognized as critical resources for understanding and addressing social-ecological concerns, yet many institutions and researchers have yet to directly address colonial-rooted legacies, including centuries of oppression, ethical violations, and lack of accountability towards the communities who maintain these knowledge systems. My dissertation research draws from theoretical developments in Indigenous methodologies, community-based participatory research, participatory action research, and constructivist grounded theory to enhance our contextual understanding regarding factors inhibiting or supporting diverse knowledge exchange in the sciences. Conceptual contributions include an evidence-based, practitioner-informed analytical framework that can be applied for guiding and evaluating responsible Indigenous community engagement across a wide range of research fields. Using this framework, I provide data findings from the first global systematic review assessing Indigenous community engagement in climate research studies, improving understanding of how research design connects to broader social outcomes for Indigenous communities. In this work I also provide conceptual contributions in the form of a working model for decolonizing community-based science research with Indigenous communities through a cross-disciplinary synthesis of codes of ethics, principles and methodologies for supporting Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in research. My dissertation explores this model through the values of integrity, respect, humility, and reciprocity to shape intentional commitments and actionable methods that can be applied to raise ethical standards and long-term relational accountability within Indigenous lands and communities Empirical contributions within my dissertation include a case study field-testing and grounding the working model for decolonizing science research through an Indigenous community-based climate study led by youth and elders within two rural agricultural communities in the mountainous central region Borikén (Puerto Rico). This case study highlights innovative participatory methods, resources, and lessons learned to inform processes for aligning cultural and academic institutional protocols for research integrity. My dissertation also explores benefits, barriers, and resources for Indigenous scholars and practitioners engaging Indigenous knowledge systems in their work and research through an in-depth regional case study in the Caribbean. Findings from this research enhance our understanding of how colonial legacies manifest as unique and complex challenges and identifies sources of capacity-building for overcoming these challenges, centering underrepresented narratives from those community members directly impacted by colonial histories. Together, these contributions shape our understanding of how every stage of research process itself, beyond solely the outputs, serve a critical role in decolonizing research and how researchers and institutions can adapt this process towards raising ethical standards in research.
Open Access
A mosaic of understanding: fusing perspectives to legitimize non-technical ways of knowing climate change
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Drake, Erin Marie, author; Thompson, Jessica, advisor; Champ, Joseph, committee member; Melena, Sara, committee member
The impacts and implications of climate change are as diverse as the global community faced with addressing this social-ecological issue. Expert-driven communication strategies that emphasize an abundance of scientific information laden with technical language and positivist values have insufficiently appealed to non-technical audiences. This shortcoming has widened the gap between technical and non-technical publics and fails to acknowledge the legitimacy of different forms of expertise that include social dimensions of climate change. Different ways of knowing have also been ignored, largely reducing climate change communication to static, one-way presentations of climate science information. Iterative, interactive, and tangible learning processes are underrepresented in climate change communication efforts but can better resonate and engage many non-technical audiences. The power of place-based connections and communication allows for non-technical publics to relate to global climate change through the familiarity and appreciation of local landscapes. National parks and wildlife refuges, places of public value and trust, can seed connections between non-technical visiting publics and climate change. Non-technical audiences can better relate to and understand climate change through the renegotiation of language, relevance, and resonant messages framed in a valued landscape - essentially through the lens of place. These connections, in tandem with hands-on engagement practices, can foster a network of engaged climate change citizens with the capacity to inspire others outside of parks and refuges.
Open Access
A process for building the capacity of informal science education providers to engage Latinos
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Sorensen, Erica Kathryn, author; Bruyere, Brett L., advisor; Balgopal, Meena, advisor; Teel, Tara L., committee member
The challenges of our global economy and escalating environmental concerns are fueling the demand for qualified graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. However, the U.S. now lags behind many other industrialized nations in science achievement. Furthermore, educators have been struggling to close the gap in science achievement between White and non-White students in this country for decades. Considering the rapid demographic changes occurring in the U.S., improving science education for all students has become a critical priority. Latinos are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, yet Latino students remain at the margins of STEM education and are underrepresented in these fields in the workforce. Informal science education (ISE) is science learning that occurs outside of formal classrooms in settings such as museums, zoos, science and nature centers, and other community-based youth development programs. ISE programs can have many academic and social benefits for participants and play an important role in improving science education, yet they often face challenges in engaging Latinos and other diverse youth and families. The challenges of our global economy and escalating environmental concerns are fueling the demand for qualified graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. However, the U.S. now lags behind many other industrialized nations in science achievement. Furthermore, educators have been struggling to close the gap in science achievement between White and non-White students in this country for decades. Considering the rapid demographic changes occurring in the U.S., improving science education for all students has become a critical priority. Latinos are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, yet Latino students remain at the margins of STEM education and are underrepresented in these fields in the workforce. Informal science education (ISE) is science learning that occurs outside of formal classrooms in settings such as museums, zoos, science and nature centers, and other community-based youth development programs. ISE programs can have many academic and social benefits for participants and play an important role in improving science education, yet they often face challenges in engaging Latinos and other diverse youth and families.
Open Access
A Sustainable livelihoods approach to volunteer tourism: the roles of the host community and an alternative break program in Achiote, Panama
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Eddins, Emily A., author; Cottrell, Stuart P., advisor; Thompson, Jessica, committee member; Davies, Timothy, committee member; Leisz, Stephen J., committee member
Using a sustainable livelihoods framework as a conceptual and interpretive lens, the purpose of this qualitative study is to understand and explain a long-term, cross-cultural collaborative partnership involved in operationalizing volunteer tourism projects for ecotourism development in rural Panama. There is a call to better represent and understand the roles and perspectives of host communities in order to optimize benefits of volunteer tourism projects in the daily lives of local populations where the projects occur. This study uses a sustainable livelihoods approach to explore a) livelihood context and trends, b) livelihood resources and volunteer tourism's previous impact on those resources, c) institutional and organizational processes, d) livelihood strategies and volunteer tourism's future impact and potential in the realization of those strategies, and e) sustainable livelihood outcomes. Integrating perspectives of community residents in Achiote, Panama and other volunteer tourism stakeholders aids in assessing the extent to which volunteer tourism projects address their livelihoods' sustainability. The key aspect of volunteer tourism in the context of sustainable livelihoods that separates it from other types of tourism is the potential for volunteer tourism to add to and enhance livelihood diversification through project work. Collaborative processes among stakeholders in volunteer tourism are not well understood (Lamoureux, 2009), particularly regarding perspectives of and by the host community (Sin, 2009, 2010). However, even if local populations are involved in the decision making process, the planning, project execution, and operational processes involve multi-scale, cross-cultural engagement of various stakeholders. Stakeholders include residents of the host community, host partner organizations, volunteer tourism sending organizations or operators, leaders or staff for the sending organizations on the ground, the volunteer tourists themselves, among others. In this study, I examine the collaborative processes among residents of a rural Panamanian community, a locally-based ecotourism group, a Panamanian non-governmental organization, a university Alternative Break Program in the United States, and faculty and student leaders of the groups. A further goal was to explore the interrelationship between volunteer tourism and sustainable livelihoods by providing context and voice to the diverse perspectives in the partnership about how volunteer tourism affects the sustainable livelihoods of the host community. By exploring existing issues in volunteer tourism and giving voices to each part of the partnership, this study aims to provide insight to the stakeholders' dialogue to better identify, implement, and manage projects that maximize benefits of volunteer projects in host communities. When I began this study, I set out to better understand volunteer tourism in the context of a sustainable livelihood approach and its associated cross-cultural collaborative processes. What I found was a region of the world with great respect for themselves, each other, and their land and in the face of potential massive livelihood change and infrastructure development. By presenting the story of this research using narrative writing, I strive to provide a voice and bring attention to a changing rural Panamanian culture. This research fills a theoretical and practical gap in volunteer tourism. The sustainable livelihoods approach helps understand how volunteer tourism can complement local livelihoods and integrated into the greater processes of the community. Further, exploration of the institutional collaborative relationships involved in implementing volunteer tourism in a community helps understand decision making processes and structure of volunteer tourism in research and practice. This study brings attention to the visions and nature of the partnership and the people that comprise it, but most importantly the visions and nature of the people of Achiote.
Open Access
Acceptability, conflict, and support for coastal resource management policies and initiatives in Cebu, Philippines
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Allegretti, Arren Mendezona, author; Cottrell, Stuart, advisor; Manfredo, Michael J., advisor; Vaske, Jerry J., 1951-, committee member; Thompson, Jessica Leigh, committee member; Taylor, Peter Leigh, 1959-, committee member
Efforts to address the decline of coastal and habitat resources by Coastal Resource Management (CRM) initiatives are done via application of frameworks such as Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) and Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). Recent literature stresses the necessity to complement biological monitoring with social science monitoring of coastal areas by applying social science concepts in CRM. Linkages between social science concepts such as a conflict, acceptance, and public support for CRM with research themes of governance, communities, and socioeconomics are crucial for advancing our understanding of the social success of CRM initiatives. In light of the scholarly and applied need, this thesis focuses on analyzing stakeholder perceptions, conflict, and public support for CRM policies and initiatives in Southern Cebu, Philippines. In particular, this thesis examines stakeholder attitudes and normative beliefs of CRM scenarios, and links these perceptions with public support of CRM policies and initiatives implemented at the levels of the community, municipality, and the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network. This thesis presents two manuscripts applying qualitative and quantitative social science methods for understanding stakeholder perceptions of conflict, acceptance, and public support for CRM policies. The first manuscript applies the Potential for Conflict Index (PCI2), a statistic that graphically displays the amount of consensus and the potential for conflict to occur in a CRM scenario. Specifically, the PCI2 displays fishers' normative beliefs concerning their consensus and acceptability of CRM policies and initiatives. Face-to-face interviews with fishers serve as data for calculating the PCI2. This manuscript compares fishers' normative beliefs concerning their evaluations of CRM policies among the municipalities of Oslob, Santander, and Samboan in Southern Cebu. Overall, fishers' differing evaluations reflects the way CRM is implemented and enforced in each of these municipalities. Fishers' evaluations allow local governments to understand acceptability of CRM policies as well as make better management decisions concerning policy compliance, consensus for policies, and conflict within a municipality. The second manuscript of this thesis applies qualitative conflict mapping methods to the investigation of institutional conflict and accountability within a coastal municipality in Southern Cebu. Using in-depth interviews, conflict mapping methods enables the analysis of stakeholder attitudes of institutional conflict and accountability for CRM. This manuscript investigates institutional relationships among stakeholders accountable for CRM. Lastly, this manuscript examines how institutional relationships and stakeholder perceptions affect CRM at the community, municipality, and the MPA Network. The interpretive analysis reveals that conflicts concerning institutional accountability for CRM are often at the root of problems for implementing and enforcing coastal management initiatives and policies within the different communities of the municipality. Theoretical implications of this thesis include the application of normative theories and qualitative conflict analysis frameworks for understanding stakeholder perceptions of conflict and public support for CRM initiatives. Managerial applications of this thesis include the use of quantitative (PCI2) and qualitative (conflict mapping) social science monitoring methods applicable for understanding social science concepts such as stakeholder perceptions, conflict, and public support for CRM policies and initiatives. Future studies could include the combined use of PCI2 and conflict mapping as complementary research methods for investigating collaborative local government decision making processes crucial for the social success of CRM initiatives.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
An evidence-based approach to evaluating the outcomes of conservation education
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Thomas, Rebecca E. W., author; Teel, Tara, advisor; Bruyere, Brett, advisor; Gavin, Michael, committee member; Pejchar, Liba, committee member
This dissertation responds to a need for theoretically-driven and applied approaches to conservation education that address modern-day conservation challenges. The two primary objectives of this dissertation are addressed in the form of two individual articles. First, Article 1 utilizes a systematic review approach to investigate evaluation of conservation education on a global scale in order to better understand 1) the temporal and spatial trends in conservation education program evaluations over the last 25 years (e.g., whether the frequency of program evaluations has changed both within and outside of the United States); 2) patterns that are evident in the types of conservation and/or social issues addressed through these programs; 3) metrics considered to indicate effectiveness of conservation education programs; and 4) which outcomes of these programs are evaluated (e.g., to what extent do evaluations focus on cognitive targets as well as behavioral, social or ecological outcomes) as well as the methods that have been used to draw conclusions about these outcomes. Findings indicated that evaluation of conservation education programs has increased over the last 25 years in countries around the world. Increasingly, conservation education programs are being developed in response to ecological and social issues, yet metrics to indicate effectiveness are rooted in cognition and behavior change. Three primary needs in the field of conservation education program evaluation emerged from this study and can inform the future direction of the field. First, there is a need to think more holistically about the outcomes of conservation education programs. Secondly, there is a need to consider the ways in which these outcomes are evaluated and reported. Finally, there is a need for longitudinal evaluation, particularly when attempting to capture ecological outcomes that may not be immediately apparent. Article 2 utilizes an applied, person-centered interview approach to address a need for more rigorous and culturally relevant evaluation of conservation education program outcomes that is focused on benefits beyond rote knowledge gain and considers community perspectives on metrics or indicators of program success in a rural community in Hawai'i. The study upon which this article is based sought to compare past and present learning about nature in terms of knowledge acquisition and the knowledge itself. Secondly, the study aimed to set the stage for the development of a culturally relevant and comprehensive quantitative evaluation instrument that could be used to document long-term outcomes of conservation education programs that seek to facilitate sharing of local environmental knowledge in Hawai'i.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
An exploration of communication strategies influencing public responses to climate change
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Beard, Caroline, author; Thompson, Jessica, advisor; Vaske, Jerry, committee member; Sprain, Leah, committee member
This thesis is an exploration of communication strategies and U.S. public responses to climate change. The exploration begins with an in-depth case study based in Southern Florida and proceeds with a focused analysis of U.S. National Park and U.S. National Wildlife Refuge visitors and their concern and responsibility for climate change, as well as their engagement with energy-conserving actions. Through the lens of place-based climate change communication, the third chapter of this thesis compares results from internal and external assessments of capacity to communicate about climate change at national parks and wildlife refuges in southern Florida. The internal survey sample included agency staff, stakeholders, community partners and concessionaires; the external survey sample included visitors to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and Ten Thousand Islands and the National Key Deer Refuges. Results demonstrate a significant gap in visitors' versus staff and partners' awareness of climate change impacts in these areas. Communicating with the public about climate change is not currently a top priority for the region's protected areas and partners, but the opportunity to engage visitors in this issue through place-based education is supported with this study. The second component of this exploration examines the relationships between political affiliation, ascription of responsibility (AR), beliefs about climate change causes, salience, and reported pro-environmental behaviors to test the following hypotheses: [H1] climate change salience is higher for Democrats than Republicans; [H2] as AR increases, climate change becomes more salient; [H3] for respondents who believe human actions contribute to climate change, salience is higher; [H4] as salience increases, the number of respondents' reported energy-conserving behaviors increases; [H5] respondents who believe humans are causing climate change report engaging in more energy-conserving behaviors; [H6] AR increases as the number of visitors' reported pro-environmental behaviors increases. Using an on-site sampling method, we administered 4,181 surveys to national park and wildlife refuge visitors in 16 sites across the United States. Results of regression analyses confirmed H1 through H6, and additional significant relationships were found in the path model. These findings indicate that strategic communication could potentially enhance public engagement in climate change mitigation and energy-conserving actions.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
An integrated landscape conservation approach for the agrolandscapes of southern Brazil: the case of Campos Gerais, Paraná
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2009) Rocha, Carlos Hugo, author; Wallace, George, advisor
This study utilizes mixed methods to develop a strategy for conserving a network of natural and restored parcels of varying sizes in an intensively managed yet biologically diverse agricultural region of Southern Brazil. As these lands are essentially privately owned, a dialogic-dialectical conservation approach based on understanding landowner perspectives, assigned meanings, and collectively constructed knowledge, was used along with spatial information to develop a landscape-based conservation praxis. Spatial information was used to develop a broad understanding of the Campos Gerais ecoregion, the biophysical and human context on which conservation planning and management should be developed, and to select and prioritize remnant habitat patches and connecting lands. Brazil's legal framework was then analyzed in order to identify current and potential incentives for private land conservation. A purposive sample of farms and ranches were selected and using farm-level spatial information, these landowners were interviewed in depth, using a mutual learning approach in order to establish their predisposition to conserve and which conservation incentives are seen by them as most appropriate. Using this information it was possible to predict the "conservation likelihood", preferred conservation techniques and whether the techniques could be agreed upon or would have to be negotiated for different types of landowners. Conservation likelihood can then be expressed spatially allowing us to model or anticipate the effects of conservation-or the changes that might otherwise occur. These models can in turn, be used dialectically with landowners to implement a landscape level conservation strategy.
Open Access
Applying social science to inform conservation solutions regarding owned outdoor cats in urbanizing landscapes
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Gramza, Ashley, author; Teel, Tara, advisor; Crooks, Kevin, advisor; VandeWoude, Susan, committee member; Bright, Alan, committee member
Free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus) incur and impose risks on ecosystems and represent a complex issue of critical importance to wildlife conservation and domestic cat and human health. There is an inherent social dimension to the issue of owned free-ranging cats, as humans are their caregivers and can contribute to the cause as well as the solution to this issue. To address this social component, we examined public risk perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs towards owned free-ranging cats along a gradient of urbanization via a survey of residents in two study areas in Colorado. Residents did not view all types of risks uniformly; they viewed the risks of cat predation on wildlife and carnivore predation on cats as more likely than the risks of disease transmission to and from wildlife. Additionally, risk perceptions were related to such factors as attitudes and general beliefs about cats, prior experiences with cats and their interactions with wildlife, and cat owner behavior. These findings provide support for the notion that changes in risk perceptions can result in behavior change, and they offer insight for development of communication campaigns aimed at promoting risk aversive behaviors and cat management strategies that are both acceptable to the public and have direct conservation implications. Our study can also be used as a model for further research focused on integrating social and biological information to promote conservation of wildlife and habitats.
Open Access
Beyond Challenger Deep: an in-depth study of the human dimensions and social outcomes of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Wilson, Katie, author; Gruby, Rebecca, advisor; Harris, Peter, committee member; Richmond, Laurie, committee member
This thesis contains in-depth d+L168ocumentation of the human dimensions and social outcomes of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (MTMNM, est. 2009), a large marine protected area (LMPA) in the United States insular areas of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Territory of Guam. LMPAs (marine protected areas in excess of 100,000km2) are a nascent trend in marine conservation, with 80% of existing LMPAs being established as of 2010 or later. Currently, there is a paucity of empirical research on their human dimensions. This thesis presents a qualitative case study of the MTMNM – a relatively longer established LMPA – with a primary focus on the perceptions of key stakeholders engaged in designation, planning, and implementation processes. Results document the human dimensions of the MTMNM by outlining its key stakeholders, designation process, design, politics of support and opposition, and social outcomes. I focus in particular on social outcomes of the MTMNM, which I describe in thick, nuanced detail within 5 major themes: unfulfilled promises, mistrust and social division, territorial sovereignty, conservation legacy effects, benefits and hopes for the future. I argue that the delivery of social benefits and respect for territorial sovereignty are of paramount importance moving forward. As a whole, the contribution of this thesis is in demonstrating empirically how the 'people-centered' aspects of LMPAs are essential to ensuring the model's social-ecological success.
Open Access
Collaborative climate change management: exploring new management techniques
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Cobb, Ashley, author; Thompson, Jessica Leigh, advisor; Welling, Leigh, committee member; Carolan, Michael S., committee member
Global climate change requires a shift in natural resource management practices and increased collaboration among land managers and surrounding communities. This qualitative study explores opportunities to enhance collaboration through collaborative conservation practices and scenario planning. I studied the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem in the northern Rocky Mountains to explore how partnerships between land management agencies can adapt to the challenges of climate change. In this thesis, through participant observation and a literature survey I examine the complexity of climate change impacts on ecological and sociological communities in the Crown. I also study the process of scenario planning as it was applied to climate change management in two case study parks in the National Park Service. I explore how scientists and decision-makers participating in the process of scenario planning challenged their assumptions about environmental management and negotiated the amount of scientific certainty needed to move forward with management. Through the exploration of these two case studies I conclude that climate change may be the window of opportunity for land managers to reconsider their roles, management objectives and partnerships.
Open Access
Communicating climate change through place based engagement: methods, research, and applications to parks and protected area visitors
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Davis, Shawn Kyle, author; Thompson, Jessica L., advisor; Donnelly, Maureen P., advisor; Vaske, Jerry J., committee member; Bruyere, Brett L., committee member; Champ, Joseph, committee member
This research explored the connections between place attachment and resident perceptions of tourism. Aspects of place attachment such as place identity and place dependence were tested against tourism dependence for strength of correlation and relationship to perceived impacts of tourism. Survey data were collected from residents of eight communities in Colorado. The researcher hypothesized that there would exist a positive relationship between place dependence and place identity, as well as a negative relationship between place identity and tourism impacts. Results from this research show that place dependence has a direct effect on place identity (β = .61, p <.001). Place identity was found to have a significant effect on a variety of tourism impacts. Rapid advances in tablet technology and the increasing availability of electronic survey applications provide opportunities to streamline on-site human dimensions data col- lection. This article compares response rates and cost efficiencies of an iPad interface used for on-site survey administration to other types of human dimensions of wildlife survey administration response rates and expenses. Results also illustrate respondents' interface preference from a recent survey administered at National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks across the United States. Refuge and Park visitors enjoyed taking on-site surveys on iPads more than traditional paper surveys, and indicated a preference for taking future surveys on iPads instead of paper (t = 21.64, p < .001, η = .39); iPad survey administration was more cost efficient for large (over 1,350) survey samples, and garnered a higher than average response rate than online and mail surveys, but similar to average response rates for on-site intercept survey administration. In this paper we present and test a theoretical framework for place-based climate change engagement. The framework is based on principles from place attachment theory, place- based education, free-choice learning, and norm activation theory. The framework, which we empirically validate here, demonstrates the power of engaging citizens in action-based learning at physical, material places, which are also symbolic sites for inspiring political action and learning about climate change impacts. Research has shown that climate change will resonate with diverse audiences when: (1) it is situated in cultural values and beliefs, (2) it is meaningful to that audience, and (3) it empowers specific action. We use data collected at 16 national parks and wildlife refuges in the USA; all of which are experiencing the impacts of climate change and struggling to develop climate change communication and outreach activities for their visitors and local communities. Thus, this framework and the empirical validation presented are the result of triangulating quantitative survey data (n =4,181) and qualitative interviews (n =359) to argue for the unparalleled potential for America's parks and refuges to inspire civic engagement in climate change through place-based communication. People everywhere are defined in part by the places they live and the places they love. Climate change is a global challenge that threatens peoples' homes, work places and protected areas around the world. This paper explores the connection between the distance National Park visitors live from the Park and their perceived connection to that place as well as related influences on perception of climate change impacts. The researchers built upon Norton and Hannon's (1997) work hypothesizing that the closer visitors lived to the Park, the greater place attachment they would exhibit. Based on an on-site survey of visitors to Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ), visitors' place attachment and proximity to the Park were mapped using ArcGIS software. Results show that regardless of distance, the majority of visitors who took the survey reported that they have a strong attachment to KEFJ. This attachment positively correlated with visitor ability to see climate change impacts (r = .20, p < .001) and their desire to learn more about climate change (r = .26, p < .001) in the Park. This study shows that National Parks have the potential to educate a vast audience on the effects climate change will have to these iconic landscapes and how they help protect these places, regardless of where they live.
Open Access
Comparing spatial modeling techniques for exploratory mapping: applications in wilderness campsite searches
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Cross, Edward Tyson, author; Bruyere, Brett L., advisor; Newman, Peter, 1972-, advisor; Laituri, Melinda, committee member
Camping impacts are known to damage vegetation, impede ecological processes, and negatively affect visitor experiences in wilderness areas. In response to national mandates from the Chief of the Forest Service in 2004, wilderness managers are pursuing an effort to find and inventory 95% of the campsites in designated wilderness. In 2009 the Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) Wilderness Program of the United States Forest Service focused its resources on carrying out the mandate. This thesis uses spatial models to predict areas likely to have camping impacts. The resulting maps can be utilized by wilderness managers in Region 2 find and inventory camping impacts in wilderness areas. Understanding the spatial distribution of campsites is an important step in the inventory, monitoring and analysis of damage related to camping activities. Recreation Habitat Suitability Indices and Maxent are two tested methods for predicting where an object can be found based on the objects relationship to environmental variables. This research employs these methods for determining the suitability of an area for camping. For this study, A Recreation Habitat Suitability Index was developed using a priori knowledge, without the use of data. A Maxent approach was also implemented using n= 1658 points for model development. Both models were tested with n=1446 points, using Area Under the Curve (AUC) and maximized Cohen's Kappa methods for validating the models. Using these test procedures, the research found that both methods performed outstanding when tested with independent data. Models were then compared, and it was found that the models predict camping impact location with remarkable similarity. The research determined that both methods work well for predicting the most important areas to prioritize campsite inventories. This thesis is divided into four chapters and a technical appendix. It begins with an introductory chapter which overviews the project and explains the goals and objectives. The second chapter is a literature review of past efforts which used similar methods. The third chapter presents the modeling research as a journal article which compares two methods for using predictive modeling to understand the spatial distribution of wilderness camping sites. Following the research chapter, a fourth, conclusions chapter, speaks to the limitations of the model, and indicates what future research efforts may focus on. Following the conclusions chapter is a technical appendix (Appendix A) which contains a technical report in the form of a desktop guide which is intended to help wilderness managers understand camping impacts and analysis techniques. The technical appendix is a summary of knowledge gained by working in the field with camping impacts. The technical report is designed to help managers understand and train wilderness staff to complete campsite inventories, start to finish. The research portion of this thesis provides wilderness managers with two tested methods for determining areas most likely to contain camping impacts in wilderness. This research offers managers an option for determining which areas of a wilderness are important to search in order to find 95% of the campsites. When combined with the technical appendix this thesis as a whole provides wilderness managers with tools for understanding, finding and inventorying camping impacts in the wilderness areas of Region 2.
Open Access
Comparing the social psychological drivers of personal sphere, social diffusion, and civic action behaviors for native plant gardening
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Tamlyn, Kaiya, author; Niemiec, Rebecca, advisor; Teel, Tara, committee member; Abrams, Katie, committee member
Protecting biodiversity and conserving water, especially in urban environments, are crucial facets of conservation efforts that can be supported by gardening with native plant species. However, native plant gardening at the individual or personal sphere level is not enough. There is also a need for citizens to participate in behaviors outside of the personal sphere, such as social diffusion and civic action, to influence the networks and social systems in which they are embedded to achieve more rapid, large-scale environmental change. Little is known, however, about whether the social-psychological drivers of behaviors outside of the personal sphere are distinct from the drivers of personal sphere action. To address this, we examined the factors influencing personal sphere, social diffusion, and civic action behaviors in the context of native plant gardening in the United States. Through a nationwide survey conducted in February 2023 (n = 1,201), we found that, while there was some overlap, each behavior type was motivated by distinct, often behavior-specific, variables. Personal sphere-specific self-efficacy and age predicted personal sphere behavior; social diffusion-specific dynamic norms (perceptions that the behavior of others is changing) and moral exporting (an individual's inclination to encourage others to embrace their moral position) predicted social diffusion behavior; introversion predicted civic action behavior; and behavior-specific personal norms predicted all three behavior types. We also examined the prevalence of each type of behavior and found that personal sphere behaviors are the most commonly practiced, followed by social diffusion behaviors and then civic action behaviors. Our findings suggest that to motivate social diffusion and civic action behaviors, practitioners may have to design outreach interventions that target the unique social-psychological drivers of these behaviors.
Open Access
Conceptualizing values as part of a dynamic multilevel world
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Dietsch, Alia M., author; Teel, Tara, advisor; Manfredo, Michael, advisor; Gavin, Michael, committee member; Henry, Kimberly, committee member
Humans are engaged in complex relationships of adaptation and change with the environment, each affecting one another. These relationships (i.e., feedback loops) necessitate an increased understanding of the different components of social-ecological systems. However, these systems appear to operate differently depending on the levels and scales under investigation, making it difficult to fully conceptualize these interconnected phenomena as well as raising important questions. We narrow our focus on two specific areas of inquiry in the interest of explicating factors that influence social values, which in turn lead to the attitudes and behaviors that can either drive or alleviate the many environmental challenges we face. First, how might macro processes of social change at different levels affect individual-level thought, and what might this mean for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection? Second, can internal human cognitions transform into widespread societal beliefs about how the environment, including wildlife, should be treated? This dissertation presents two manuscripts designed to contribute to these areas of inquiry by considering how values are influenced by processes at different levels on a geopolitical scale, and how those values shape levels of cognition within individuals (an internal cognitive scale). The first chapter specifically focuses on understanding how socioeconomic advances at the county-level within the state of Washington are influencing new value priorities, and how these values lead to support for biodiversity conservation of species irrespective of human needs. For example, higher levels of income, education, and urbanization at both individual and county levels were associated with higher degrees of mutualism, a value orientation that prioritizes the needs of wildlife as similar to the needs of humans. Indeed, we found mutualism to be positively associated with support for wolves (Canis lupis) recolonizing the state despite the potential for livestock predation and concern for human safety. Results also indicate that these new value priorities can lead to social conflict among different segments of the public based on beliefs about how wildlife should be managed. This work demonstrates several key findings. First, broad changes in social systems lead to a fundamental shift in social values in such a way that clearly indicates social-ecological context matters. Second, these values lead to predictable patterns of response to actions that promote biodiversity conservation. However, those patterns of response vary across the landscape, providing further evidence of cross-level and cross-scale dynamics within systems. The second article casts social values as actors in a different, but equally important systems view complete with feedback loops. Specifically, social values are depicted as subject to the upward processes of emergence (micro-to-macro level) and the downward processes of immergence (macro-to-micro level). Our conceptualization acknowledges values as phenomena that emerge from individuals who are in turn shaped by pervasive social-ecological conditions (e.g., warfare, mass migrations, disease spread). Although processes of emergence are not directly studied in this manuscript, immergence is explored in two ways: (1) the effect of socioeconomic advances at a state level on individual expressions of postmaterialist values (values that tend to focus on the needs of others outside of self), and (2) the existence of widespread environmental attitudes associated with a prevalence of postmaterialist values. Only support for the second pathway of immergence was found, suggesting that individuals with postmaterialist values do indeed support protection of the environment, including wildlife, even at the expense of human interests such as economic development and recreation behaviors. In total, this dissertation is intended to provide a deeper look at the feedback loops between different levels of cognition and the world in which we live in the hopes of informing solutions to the grave environmental challenges we face.
Open Access
Connecting children and families to nature: targeting wildlife agency education initiatives
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Cohen, Christine E., author; Bruyere, Brett, advisor; Teel, Tara, committee member; Benson, Delwin, committee member
The following thesis presents two manuscripts that explore how information on barriers to participation in nature-based programs and wildlife value orientations (WVOs) could be used to enhance the reach and effectiveness of wildlife agencies in connecting children to nature. Strengthened by proven physical, social and cognitive benefits as well as potential impacts upon the development of life-long environmental values and attitudes, wildlife agencies have an interest in addressing the human-nature disconnect in order to maintain and/or increase support for future conservation initiatives and secure future funding sources. The primary purpose of the first manuscript was to explore how information about WVOs, barriers to participation in nature-based programs and program topic preferences might be integrated to improve targeting of wildlife agency education initiatives for specific audiences. Data were collected via a mail survey administered to residents of Helena, Montana. Results indicated that there are significant differences in both barriers to participation and program topic preferences across WVOs. Although significantly different, limited barriers to participation were found for the relatively homogenous population surveyed indicating a need for further research to determine if findings can be applied to other populations and geographic locations. The second manuscript identified the specific program preferences and barriers for a group of teachers in Rapid City and Spearfish, South Dakota. A case study approach examined the barriers to both integrating EE into classrooms and incorporating programs taught by informal EE providers into curriculum. Focus group discussions provided valuable insight into how a local wildlife agency could most effectively target education efforts in order to overcome barriers and adapt programming for both students and teachers at a new education center in Rapid City, South Dakota. Results of focus group discussion provide recommendations for the design and marketing of school-based EE programs for Rapid City area teachers.