1. Introduction to the NVUM Program and Interviewer Training
National Visitor Use Monitoring-
Interviewer Training
Forest Service

2. Agenda Introduction – Why NVUM? Interviewer's Role
Site Types and Use Levels
What’s Next?

3. Why did the National Use Monitoring Program Begin?
No consistency in how visitors were counted.
In 1995…
the US population was 263 million.
the Forest Service reported 850 million visits.
850 million visits divided by 263 million people
= 3.2 visits per person
Notes:
In the past, there was literally no consistency in how visitor use was counted or reported across the forest system.

4. What is the purpose of NVUM?
Management tool
Included in many forest budget allocations
Required element in law and agency direction
Notes:
Request that a volunteer read paragraph 1 of the National Visitor Use Monitoring Results Summary (aka Master Report).
READ:
The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) program provides science-based estimates of the volume and characteristics of recreation visitation to the National Forest System, as well as the benefits recreation brings to the American public. Information about the quantity and quality of recreation visits is required for the National Forest plans, Executive Order (Setting Customer Service Standards), and implementation of the National Recreation Agenda. The NVUM program ensures that all visitor statistics for National Forests and grasslands produced by the Forest Service use a standardized measure. These standards were established by the Forest Service in the 1970s (the application of these standards has been modified over time).

5. NVUM Program Goals Goal 1: Estimate the number of visitors.
Goal 2: Produce descriptive information about visitation.
Notes:
The National Visitor Use Monitoring Program has two primary goals: Quantify and Qualify recreation visitation to national forests and grasslands.

6. How is visitation defined?
A "National Forest Visit" is the entry of one person upon a national forest or grassland to participate in recreation activities for an unspecified period of time.

7. What descriptive information is collected?
Type of recreation activity
Length of stay
Distance travelled
Demographics
Satisfaction
Money spent locally

8. INTERVIEWERS play THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE in reaching our goals!

9. Interviewer’s Role
Gather survey supplies (forms, pencils, water, shade, cones, signs, etc.)
Set-up survey site
Set-up traffic counter
Record hand-tally count
Conduct survey interviews
Protect interview forms
Complete daily summary form
Communicate field needs
These tasks are covered in the Survey Handbook!
Assist in gathering Survey Supplies (or at least ensure these are delivered to the survey site)
Set up survey site
Set up and calibrate traffic counter
Collect hand tally count of exiting traffic
Interview exiting traffic using the survey forms
Protect survey forms and deliver to NVUM coordinator
Complete Daily Summary Form
Communicate field needs to NVUM Coordinator

10. Interviewer Skills Multi-tasker
Coordinate talking, writing and tally counting at the same time.
Follow directions
Following survey protocol as to not introduce bias in the survey sample (no adlibbing)

11. Interviewer Characteristics
Positive
willing to engage with visitors
Responsible
Interviewing at the right place and at the right time.
Self-motivated
Conduct surveys alone with little to no oversight
Approachable
Put the interviewee at ease
Safety Conscious