USDA Forest Service Region 5 Wilderness Recreation Use Monitoring Project Robert Mason and Erik Murdock Project being conducted by USDA Forest Service in collaboration with the University of Arizona

Need for Wilderness Recreation Use Monitoring Inaccurate and inconsistent reported visitor use. Average variation between reported RVDs (yearly reports) and reported visitor use (wilderness management questionnaire) is 62% . In contrast to fluctuating visitor use levels, reported use levels increase consistently and linearly. Efficient and effective management of wilderness depends on reliable inventory combined with a comprehensive understanding of carrying capacity (environmental and social).

Wilderness Research Most research since the 1960’s has addressed the concept of carrying capacity. Few attempts at large-scale wilderness monitoring. USDA Forest Service research papers outline techniques for assessing and monitoring visitor use and backcountry resource conditions (Cole 1983; Hollenhorst et al. 1992; Watson and others 2001). Few wilderness recreation simulation models. Forest Service wilderness agenda lists inventory and monitoring of biological, physical and social conditions in wilderness areas as a priority.

Regional Monitoring and Site Specificity

Goals To establish a standardized monitoring system for the Region 5 wilderness system. To estimate amount of visitor use at specific trailheads, in each wilderness area, and across Region 5. To improve wilderness management. To provide wilderness managers with a tool to recognize and predict issues of concern. To establish baseline trends for wilderness areas.

Long-Term Goals To identify spatial and temporal trends in wilderness recreation use in order to predict environmental impacts and user conflicts before they happen. To collect sufficient wilderness recreation use data on which to base recreation behavior simulations.

Project Outline Establish relationships with all R5 wilderness managers. Compile existing data Inventory monitoring tools Determine which monitoring methods and tools fit “lowest common denominator” Simple tools: trail counters and trip reports Possibility of applying this program to other regions. Visit wilderness areas Fit monitoring system to suit site specificity of each wilderness area. Collect data from each wilderness area in standardized format. Use web-based database to simplify data uploads, management and analysis. Analyze spatial and temporal relationships. Model current use and predict future trends.

Data To Be Collected Number of visits – one visit equals one person or stock animal entering the wilderness Group size Date of entry and exit Time of entry and exit Length of stay in wilderness Destinations Length of visit at each destination Order in which destinations were visited Number of stock animals with group Residence of visitor – by zip code

Monitoring System The monitoring system provides visitor use estimates and profiles for trailheads, individual wilderness areas, and the entire R5 wilderness system. The monitoring system is designed to collect data with relatively low visitor burden. The monitoring system is designed to place relatively little strain on personnel resources. The monitoring system is designed to be implemented at relatively low cost to the R5 wilderness system. The monitoring system provides the information needed to estimate, model, and simulate visitor use of wilderness areas.

Data Collection Tools TrailMaster 1550 infrared trail counters Receiver Transmitter

Data Collection Tools Scannable visitor trip report card

Data Collection Tools

Data Collection Protocols Trip report cards: Trip report kiosks should remain active as data collection tools year-round, unless weather forces seasonal removal of kiosks Trail counter brands and models: TrailMaster 1500/1550 Pressure-sensitive pads (brands to be determined) Cuesta trail counters (data reported in ASCII text format) Each trailhead that has a trip report kiosk installed will be monitored by a trail counter to collect data on total visits.

Data Collection Protocols Visual observation: Necessary to calibrate trail counters Stratified random sampling should occur on weekends and weekdays throughout field season Number of sampling days necessary depends on length of field season and will be specific to each wilderness Excellent opportunity to involve volunteers in effort

Data Reporting Protocols Trip report cards mailed to Garry Oye on 1st of each month Trail counter data e-mailed to Erik Murdock and Rob Mason on 1st of each month

Web-based data transfer Data can be uploaded on the web and viewed by F.S. management. Automated data transfer will help eliminate errors associated with multi-step processes.

Data Analysis Wilderness managers have provided us with types of data they need to effectively manage wilderness Data is being analyzed to address wilderness manager needs as well as regional needs and modeling needs

Deliverables to Managers Reliable and defensible visitor use estimates for individual trailheads, wilderness areas, and destinations. Breakdown of use by month, weekend vs. weekday, etc.

Data Analysis: Temporal Relationships

Forest Service Acceptance of Project Garry Oye is actively promoting program. Acceptance and enthusiasm is widely varied among forest-level wilderness managers. Most managers recognized the need for accurate and efficient use estimates. Managers without current monitoring plans tended to accept the program more quickly than managers with active monitoring programs.

Present Applications Help determine and justify wilderness resource allocation across the region. Provide wilderness managers with reliable visitor use estimates to assist with management decisions. Adjust wilderness management presence according to use patterns.

Project Future: Simulation Modeling Recreation Behavior Simulator (RBSim) simulates human behavior in high use natural environments. Recreators (agents) interact with the environment. Interactions depend on landscape character and behavior of other agents.

Future Applications Wilderness managers can use simulations to streamline ranger patrol schedules. Wilderness managers can use simulations to predict future impacts. Wilderness managers can test the implications of regulatory changes over time before implementing new policies. Wilderness managers can predict impact and user-conflict issues concerning newly designated wilderness areas.

Newsletter Monthly newsletter will inform managers of updates and concerns regarding wilderness recreation use monitoring Managers are encouraged to voice opinions and concerns regarding the project; many concerns will be addressed in newsletter and all concerns will receive an individual reply

Contact Information Rob Mason: rmason@ag.arizona.edu 707-562-8839 Erik Murdock: emurdock@ag.arizona.edu