Exploring RMNP Visitors' Information Sources, Communications, and Perceptions of Elk & Vegetation Management Practices

Zimmerman, Don; Yohon, Teresa

During Fall 2011, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park were surveyed post-visit to determine the public’s understanding of elk and vegetation management plan. Survey questions centered on RMNP visitors’:  Knowledge of elk biology and elk’s impact on vegetation  Awareness of management practices in the areas of fencing, birth control methods, culling, and aversion behavior training  Perceptions and attitudes toward the elk and vegetation management plan  Understanding elk and vegetation management practices. Survey questions consisted of (1) closed-ended questions using a series of statements with scales from 1 to 7 responses possible on different dimensions (which may include don’t know, don’t recall, or yes/no responses), and (2) open-ended questions. RMNP visitors were recruited for the mail survey by flagging down a systematic random sample of cars over three days: between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2011 and Sunday, October 2, 2011 at the Beaver Meadows entrance, Fall River entrance, Bear Lake parking lot, and Trail Ridge Road turnout and between 9:00 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at the Beaver Meadows entrance. For each stopped car, the person over 18 years old with the nearest birthday was asked if he/she would be willing to participate in a mail survey. If so, the volunteer completed a brief contact information form and received a cover letter explaining the project. A total of 615 people volunteered. Two weeks later, we mailed a questionnaire packet (cover letter, 12-page questionnaire booklet, and a return, stamped envelope) to them. We followed Dillman’s total design method that includes a follow-up reminder letter, a second packet, and final letter. Nine questionnaires were undeliverable because of bad addresses. By mid-January 2012, 440 Park visitors returned the survey, providing a response rate of 73% (440/606). While most respondents were multi-visitors, eighteen percent were first-time RMNP visitors. No significant difference of recruitment of first-time visitors in their recruitment location (Beaver Meadows, Fall River, Bear Lake, or Trail Ridge Road) was observed. On the average, respondents had visited RMNP two to three times in the past three years. They had spent between three to six hours in the Park each day (54.8%) and had visited the Park between three and four days in the past three years. Keeping in mind the survey timeframe (the first week in October and peak of the elk bugling season), 44% of the respondents reported visiting RMNP in the spring, 73% in the summer, 95% in the fall, and 31% in the winter. As to the time of day of their visits, 28% reported visiting in early morning, 69% reported visiting in mid-morning, 74% in early afternoon, and 51% in late afternoon. Both closed- and open-ended questions indicate that RMNP visitors enjoyed their experience in the Park and plan to come back. Comments, such as “The Park is very beautiful and very much enjoyed,” “This Park is a national treasure,” and “We simply cannot visit the Park enough” clearly show a positive experience while at RMNP. Open-ended responses also emphasized that RMNP staff, rangers and Ranger-led talks added to respondents positive experience (n=30, 17% of open-ended comments). Respondents also mentioned how rangers and volunteers work hard to maintain the crowds and protect visitors. On page one of the survey, in an open-ended question prior to any questions about the elk and vegetation and their management, we asked respondents if they noticed any changes in the Park since their last visit to RMNP. About 33 % (n=146) reported noticing changes. Of their comments, 14% (n=60) noticed the fencing enclosures; 4% (n=18) reported finding few elk; 11% (n=46) found more the beetle-killed trees; and 5% (n=22) responded more traffic and people.