Applying Social Science to Outdoor Recreation Management Diane Kuehn SUNY ESF

Today’s presentation… What is social science? How does social science apply to outdoor recreation management? Case study: Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area

What is social science? Science that studies society and the relationships of individuals within society Generally includes: Sociology Psychology Anthropology Political Science

Why is social science different from other types of science? Quasi experimental designs common Non-laboratory settings common Qualitative methods frequently used

Social science research methodologies Qualitative data collection Interviews Observations Quantitative data collection Surveys Counts (e.g., of users, recreational license holders, etc…)

How is social science related to outdoor recreation research? Study sociology and psychology in recreational settings. Research topics can include: Interactions between recreating individuals Factors that motivate individuals to recreate Environmental impacts of individuals on areas used for recreation

How is social science research in recreation implemented? Identify issue (i.e., research question) Identify user groups Assess setting for research (land use mgt.) Identify most suitable data collection methods Conduct research Identify how to apply results to setting

Case study: Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area (ELODWA)

7 Public Areas:  3 state wildlife management areas  2 state parks  1 state natural area  1 TNC preserve

History of collaboration Early 1980s: High visitor-caused impacts to dune ecosystem Fragmented ownership State & county agencies NGOs Private property owners Funding needed for dune education and protection Ontario Dune Coalition

The Coalition’s primary concern… How can environmental impacts from visitor use be minimized?

Early efforts Identified areas with erosion Identified and implemented visitor management strategies

Visitor management

Interpretive Program Signage

Interpretive Program Guidebook and brochures

Interpretation Program Dune Steward Program

The Coalition’s next concern… Are our management strategies working?

Monitoring environmental impacts Annual photos of specific locations

Evaluating interpretive efforts 1997 Visitor survey; repeated in 2003 Questions asked about: Visitor demographics Frequency of visitation Facilities utilized Interpretation utilized

Evaluating interpretive efforts Question: Have you seen the signs along the beach? Yes (98%)No (2%) If yes, have they made you want to stay out of the dunes? Yes (94%)No (6%)

Evaluating interpretive efforts Question: How do you feel about having signs posted on the beach? Good or signs are needed (98%) Neutral (1%) Negative (1%)

Evaluating interpretive efforts Question: What types of educational materials did you use while in the area? Educational signs on walkovers (44%) Parking area directory signs (23%) Brochure for area currently visiting (20%) “Sand, Wind, & Water” guidebook (11%) None (30%)

Evaluating interpretive efforts Question: Why is it important that beach grass and other plants grow on the sand dunes? Answered correctly (94%) Answered incorrectly (6%)

Evaluating interpretive efforts Question: Can you list two activities that people do that cause erosion of the sand dunes? Listed two activities correctly (82%) Listed one correct/left one blank (16%) Listed one correct/one incorrect (2%)

Other concerns of the Coalition… How many users are there? What activities are they involved in? Where is use concentrated? What trends are occurring in visitor use? Are we allocating resources & staff appropriately for visitor management?

Visitor monitoring program First began in No consistent method used for data collection Sampling design not based on social science methods In 2000, consistent data collection implemented. Not possible to estimate total use from data In 2002, funding obtained from DOS for identifying new monitoring protocol.

Developing a visitor monitoring protocol Review existing data from 1985 to 2002

Developing a monitoring protocol Review existing data from 1985 to 2002 Assess each property open to the public Access points? Use concentrated? Users? “Zones”

Developing a monitoring protocol Indirect count method chosen (i.e., total visitor use is calculated from specific indicators) Would provide total use Past data could be utilized (trends) Could be implemented by dune stewards

Developing a monitoring protocol Collected the following data in 2003: Spot count (every day) Full count (randomly-selected days) Weather Surf conditions Day of the week Recreational activity Violations

Developing a monitoring protocol Factors found to be significant in determining total visitor use: Day of the week (weekend, weekday) Daily spot count Visitor Use = a + b 1 (Day) + b 2 (Spot Count)

Results Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Area Estimated number of visitors

Results Public areas within ELODWA Estimated number of visitors

Results Sandy Pond Natural Area Estimated number of visitors

Outcomes of study Data collection protocol established Data collection forms simplified Management strategies Staffing increase needed in Lakeview Staffing to be maintained at Sandy Pond Beach Additional efforts needed at Deer Creek (visitor education and dune walkover) Refocus of staffing throughout ELODWA on zones with high visitor use

In conclusion… Social science is useful for land use management because: It’s focused on both the users & the environment. It can be used to identify management strategies that take into account users. It can provide balance between the needs of users and of the environment.

Any questions?