Development of a Visitor Use Monitoring Protocol for the Southwest Alaska Network
Project ID: J8W07060001
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Alaska Anchorage
Fiscal Year: 2006
Initial Funding: $66,544
Total Funding: $102,810
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Social
National Park: Southwest Alaska Network Inventory & Monitoring
Principal Investigator: Colt, Steve
Agreement Technical Representative: Bennett, Alan
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to assist the National Park Service (NPS), Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN) in their efforts to gain a better understanding of current visitor use volumes and patterns and develop a system to monitor visitor use over time. This information is necessary to evaluate the impact of visitors on the SWAN Park systems (Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve) as part of the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring program. The University of Alaska-Anchorage, Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) will develop a data collection and analysis protocol to monitor visitor use over time and at specific geographic locations within the Southwest Alaska Network. The ultimate purpose of the data collection and monitoring is to better inform park management through understanding of park usage patterns and trends over time. ISER will ensure that the draft protocol is peer-reviewed and revised as necessary to meet current National Park Service (NPS) standards for the NPS Vital Signs Monitoring program. The project will consist of two phases. In phase one, the project team will conduct preparatory investigations. In phase two, researchers will develop and test a monitoring protocol in cooperation with the NPS.
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