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Abstract
The effects that outdoor programs have on participant feelings about the outdoor environment and wilderness areas are often assumed to be both powerful and positive. Moreover, it is believed that participation in outdoor or wilderness-based programs usually results in participants who have more pro-environmental and pro-wilderness beliefs, values, and attitudes. This study identified and measured changes in environmental attitudes and beliefs after participation in an outdoor leadership program. In addition, the strength or salience of these beliefs and changes in levels of salience was also investigated. The results of this study suggest that environmental beliefs and attitudes were relatively “durable” over the three testing periods. That is, there was little change in reported values over the three measurement times (beginning of the semester, just prior to a three-week expedition, and immediately after the expedition). In addition, participants in the treatment group consistently reported higher levels of pro-environmental beliefs and attitudes when contrasted with a comparison group. Finally, there was a strong association between levels of agreement toward selected environmental attitudes and beliefs, and their concurrent levels of reported salience surrounding those beliefs.
Parent Publication
Keywords
wilderness,
biodiversity,
protected areas,
economics,
subsistence,
tourism,
traditional knowledge,
community involvement,
policy,
stewardship,
education,
spiritual values
Citation
Ewert, Alan; Voight, Alison; Calvin, David; Hayashi, Aya. 2007. Outdoor programs and environmental beliefs: Investigating the stability of outcomes and levels of salience. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 416-421
