ADVANCING THE SOCIAL SCIENCE OF LEAVE NO TRACE: EXAMINING ATTITUDES, EFFICACY, INTENTIONS AND BEHAVIORS
Open Access
- Author:
- Schwartz, Forrest Glen
- Graduate Program:
- Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- February 24, 2017
- Committee Members:
- Derrick Taff, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Derrick Taff, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Peter Newman, Committee Member
Camilla Hodge, Committee Member
Bob Burkholder, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Leave No Trace
Attitudes
TPB
Behavior
Youth
Recreation
Communication
Climbing
Bouldering - Abstract:
- Leave No Trace is the most prevalent minimum-impact visitor education program used in parks and protected areas in the U.S. The overarching intent of the program is to educate outdoor enthusiasts about the nature of their recreation-related impact, and to teach techniques for minimizing impact, so they may make informed decisions about their recreation behaviors. Visitor perceptions (i.e., attitudes, beliefs, awareness and knowledge) of Leave No Trace can lead to either appropriate or inappropriate behaviors, depending on understanding and perspective. Understanding visitor perceptions of Leave No Trace is critical to craft effective educational messages that work to reduce negative social and ecological impacts in parks and protected areas. While there has been steady progression in the social science contributions to Leave No Trace research, the literature base is still rather scant with many knowledge gaps and questions that merit further exploration. The studies included in this dissertation help to fill these gaps. The purpose of this dissertation is to advance our understanding of the efficacy of Leave No Trace messaging and educational programs. This dissertation manuscript derives from three independent studies that were designed in direct collaboration with National Park Service and public land managers, as well as staff from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This innovative research agenda serves to inform empirically grounded responses to various outdoor recreation management challenges.