Visitor's knowledge of federal wilderness: implications for wilderness user research and management

Abstract

Earlier research using interviews of backcountry hikers in Shenandoah National Park raised concerns that visitors may not know much about federal wilderness. This lack of knowledge has implications for research on wilderness experience and for support for wilderness management policies. In this study, self-assessed knowledge of wilderness, researcher-assessed knowledge, and knowledge filter questions were tested for their effectiveness in classifying wilderness knowledge; relationships between knowledge and attitudes toward management were also explored. More than 90% of hikers assessed themselves as having little or no knowledge of wilderness, and a researcher-assessed knowledge question confirmed that very few hikers were knowledgeable about federally designated Wildernesses. Those with higher levels of knowledge tended to hold more “purist” views about management than those with less knowledge.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Hockett, Karen S.; Hall, Troy E. 2000. Visitor''s knowledge of federal wilderness: implications for wilderness user research and management. In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 4: Wilderness visitors, experiences, and visitor management; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 122-127