Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2014 05 14

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes April 9th, 2014 Page 2 of 7 Behavioral study: RMNP vs. Wyoming State Parks. Research shows that attitudes, society norms, and behavioral controls will all determine user behavior. Does a person's attitude, his /her perceived effectiveness of the rules, the difficulty of following the rules, and /or his /her self - described knowledge of Leave No Trace principles influence behavioral intent? Used on -site visitor surveys, n = 400 (RMNP) and n= 360 (VVY parks). The most effective predictor of intent to follow the rules was the "perceived effectiveness of the rules." Ben interprets this result to mean that if you can communicate how effective the rules are, users will adhere to them better. Your regulations must succinctly explain why the rules exist. There were 3 very different types of VVY parks included in the study (a lake recreation area, an area used primarily for mountain biking, and a historical prison site). They found no real difference in the results between park sites. "Rule effectiveness" was, again, the important driver of intention to follow the rules. Most respondents had very favorable impressions of Leave No Trace. This study suggests that there can be a uniform approach to Leave No Trace Education, since no real difference in the effectiveness - intention relationship was found between park types. There are two ways for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to help an organization implement its education program. 1) "Fee- based" for land managers who want help with every aspect. Includes research that is site - specific, and creates a single coherent system, and helps with assessment. It costs a one -time fee (starts at $5000). The organization takes about a year to study, design, and implement a custom program for the organization. Can also become a "partner" to use trademarked logos and materials, etc. 2) "Free option" that lets land managers generate their own materials. Includes a guideline document. Lets land managers customize their own materials, while permitting use of the same "7 Frontcountry Leave No Trace Principles." Includes icons. Ben listed many diverse existing project sites that were fee - based. There does not exist comprehensive data about efficacy, but anecdotal data suggest that areas with no education do worse than areas that include at least some education. Mike asked if there is a population of users who are un- reachable by education and will always do whatever they want. Ben estimated from his experience that there was approximately 10 -15% of the population that will always be "unreachable" by education. Spencer asked specifically about education regarding staying on trails and not creating social trails. Ben said that "pet clean up ", "staying on trails ", and "visitor conflicts" are the three major issues that face frontcountry communities. Intensive education and intensive management together helped stop and reverse social trail formation on Cadillac Mt. in Acadia NP. They used little posts with slash symbols to stop travel on