A Socioeconomic Atlas for New River Gorge National River and its Region

McKendry, Jean; Brewer, Cynthia; Staub, Joel

Introduction: The purpose of this atlas is to provide park managers, planners, community leaders, and others with a better understanding of changing human activities and socioeconomic conditions in the region surrounding New River Gorge National River. These changes outside a park’s boundaries can create complex park management challenges. Information about regional trends and conditions is needed in order to manage and conserve park resources – both natural and cultural – more effectively. This atlas provides such information in a series of maps, complemented by tables, other graphics, and explanatory text. Maps are effective ways of conveying information. A map can highlight geographical patterns in data by showing the relationship between what is happening and where it is happening. For example, a map that shows a park’s road network and also shows the locations of traffic accidents may indicate that certain sections of park roadway are particularly hazardous. Or a map that plots where park visitors come from might show that the park is popular with residents from a particular part of the region or the nation. The maps in this atlas combine contextual information (such as boundary lines, roads, and key towns) with thematic information (such as demographic or economic statistics). This combination of contextual and thematic information helps the reader observe general trends inherent in the distribution of data. For example, a map that shows the population growth rate for each county in the park region may reveal that all of the highest growth rates are concentrated in counties south of the park. Each map is designed to allow for easy comparison, so readers can see how conditions and trends in their own counties compare with those in other counties and relate to larger regional patterns. The consistent map design allows readers to make useful comparisons among two or more maps. For example, comparing maps of federal expenditures per person and poverty rates might reveal that federal expenditures tend to be higher in a region’s poorer counties. There are many potential uses for this atlas. For example, park managers can share the atlas with new park staff, regional staff, the media, or policy makers as a way of orienting them to the basic facts about the region. Planners can use the atlas to examine emerging trends outside the park and to prioritize actions to mitigate any anticipated adverse impacts on park resources. Local and regional leaders can consult the atlas to develop environmental policies that support park management goals while remaining responsive to local needs. Researchers can use the atlas to design studies that have practical benefit to park and ecosystem management. Additional uses are discussed in the atlas’ concluding section, pages 76 - 77. Regardless of how it is used, the atlas can serve as a useful reference tool that adds to the body of usable scientific knowledge about New River Gorge National River and its surrounding region.

A Socioeconomic Atlas for New River Gorge National River and its Region

Collections