Understanding and Influencing State Park Visitors’ Leave No Trace Behavioral Intent

Abstract

Impact to protected area resources due to uninformed or depreciative visitor behavior continues to be a principal concern for managers. Leave No Trace (LNT) is a prevalent educational strategy for mitigating such impacts. Through on-site surveys, this study examined frontcountry visitor attitudes toward Leave No Trace (LNT) practices, and self-reported knowledge concerning LNT in three Wyoming state parks to determine factors that influenced their behavioral intent to practice LNT. Results suggest that attitudes toward perceived effectiveness of LNT practices and appropriateness of LNT practices are significant predictors of behavioral intent. If education-based communication efforts focus on why LNT practices are appropriate and effective, there is an increased likelihood of meaningfully influencing behavioral intent.

Taking Stock of Interpretation Research: Where Have We Been and Where are We Heading?

“…The results of this effort appear in a series of four articles published as a special issue in the Journal (2013-18(2)). Their study provided empirical Barrett et al (2017), Beck et al (2015), Benton andSinha (2011), Bixler et al (2015), Bourque et al (2014), Britt (2017), Burris (2019), Douglas et al (2018), Gilson and Kool (2019), Hall et al (2010), Ham (2013), Henker and Brown (2011), Knapp and Forist (2014), Lawhon et al (2017), Macklin et al (2010), Montero et al (2018), Morgan and Hwang (2014), Moss et al (2010), Ogle (2016), Stern (2013a, 2013b), Price et al (2018), Rahaman and Kian (2017), Reese (2013), Ren and Folta (2016),…”

“…Twelve manuscripts examined characteristics of visitors/audiences, such as demographic characteristics; visitor values, attitudes, movement patterns, behavioral intentions, and crowding perceptions; and visitation trends relevant to interpretive sites rather than investigating specific interpretive elements. Key insights shared in these manuscripts include how visitors of different cultural backgrounds might have different goals and experiences at interpretive sites (Clark et al, 2011;Saunders, 2014) or perceive crowding differently (Lee et al, 2019); how visitors' pre-existing attitudes, values, emotions, and perceptions of self-efficacy can influence their perceptions of interpretation (e.g., Caplow, 2018), particularly related to leave-no-trace behaviors (Lawhon et al, 2013(Lawhon et al, , 2017Skibins et al, 2019); and how tracking visitor movements through an interpretive site can enhance interpretive planning (Sharp et al, 2019).…”

Food Storage on the Appalachian Trail: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach to Understanding Backpacker Bear Canister Use

“…For example, earlier research on TPB and bear canisters identified attitudes toward bear canisters as a method of food storage as the best predictor of intentions to carry canisters in Yosemite National Park (Martin & McCurdy, 2009). Additionally, Lawhon et al (2017) found attitudes toward perceived difficulty to be the most significant predictor of intent to refrain from feeding, following, or approaching wildlife. determined attitudes to be the strongest predictor of intentions to carry bear spray in Yellowstone National Park, and Miller (2019) later demonstrated evidence of the efficacy of TPB for predicting actual, self-reported bear spray behavior, with attitudes again serving as the most important variable.…”

Leave No Trace Communication: Effectiveness Based on Assessments of Resource Conditions

“…Persuasive communication seeks to guide or change visitor behaviors by modifying attitudes, beliefs or norms (Brown et al, 2010; Hughes et al, 2009; Lawhon et al, 2013, 2017; Manning, 2003). In U.S. protected areas, a commonly used interpersonal communication technique known as the Authority of the Resource (Wallace, 1990) de-emphasizes regulations and transfers the decision-making responsibility to the visitor.…”

“…The NPS auditors specifically cited the LNT communication program and condition of the forest recreation resources as contributing factors supporting the special recognition. Moreover, LNT programs, including naturalists to educate visitors about stewardship, can contribute to a broader stewardship ethic and environmentally conscious society—an important outcome of many land management agency missions (Lawhon et al, 2017; Manning, 2003; Marion, 2014).…”