Visitor Impacts and Experiences Related to Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone National Park

OMB Control #: XXXX-XXXX

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Yellowstone National Park
Wildlife Viewing Survey

PAPERWORK REDUCTION and PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use it, and whether or not you have to respond. We are authorized by the National Park Service Protection Interpretation and research in System (54 USC §100702) to collect this information. The routine uses of this information will be for the benefit of NPS Managers and Planning staff managers to understand the ecological effects associated with wildlife viewing in Yelloswtone National Park. Your responses to this collection are completely voluntary and will remain anonymous. You can end the process at any time and will not be penalized in any way for choosing to do so. All contact information collected for the purpose of the follow-up survey will be destroyed at the end of the collection period and no personal identifiable records will be maintained or stored for any purposes. Data collected will only be reported in aggregates and no individually identifiable responses will be reported. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

BURDEN ESTIMATE STATEMENT: Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response. You may send comments concerning the burden estimates or any aspect of this information collection to: Bonnie McDonald, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park bonnie_mcdonald@nps.gov; 307-250-9404.

The focus of this study is to better visitor motivations and behavior regarding wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park. These data will be used to inform park managers about the current visitor behaviors and motitations and the ecological impacts of wildlife viewing, and will be considered when making future management decisions about this area.

Your participation in the study is voluntary, and your answers will remain anonymous. Our results will be summarized so that the answers you provide cannot be associated with you or anyone in your group or household. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

TOPIC AREA 3: CVIS1

1. Are you a first-time visitor to Yellowstone National Park?

   1. YES

   2. NO (Skip to Question #3)

TOPIC AREA 3: CVIS1

2. Over the past twelve months, how many visits have you made to Yellowstone National Park? _Number of Visits

TOPIC AREA 3: PA4 (Variation: Specified wording to focus on wildlife in national parks.)

3. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements specific to wildlife in national parks. (Select one number for each statement.)

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
I make an effort to visit areas within national parks known for wildlife sightings.	1	2	3	4	5
When in a national park, I plan my visits around peak times for wildlife activity (e.g., dawn or dusk)	1	2	3	4	5
I tend to just watch wildlife without using any special equipment	1	2	3	4	5
I use specific techniques or equipment (e.g., binoculars, scopes) to improve my wildlife viewing experience.	1	2	3	4	5
Wildlife viewing is one of the most enjoyable activities that I do in national parks	1	2	3	4	5
I have learned about the types of wildlife found in the national parks I visit	1	2	3	4	5
I can distinguish between similar species (e.g., different bird species, different ungulates) when viewing wildlife in national parks	1	2	3	4	5
I can identity most wildlife I see in Yellowstone National Park	1	2	3	4	5
I am knowledgeable about the best practices for safe wildlife viewing in national parks, both for myself and the animals (e.g., using binoculars, keeping an appropriate distance)	1	2	3	4	5
Prior to this trip, I sought out or obtained information to help plan my visit to Yellowstone National Park for wildlife viewing	1	2	3	4	5
Wildlife viewing is one of the most enjoyable activities I do.	1	2	3	4	5
Wildlife viewing has a central role in my life.	1	2	3	4	5
Other recreation activities don’t interest me as much as wildlife viewing.	1	2	3	4	5
Wildlife viewing is a central part of my trip to Yellowstone National Park.	1	2	3	4	5
My trip to Yellowstone National Park was organized around wildlife viewing	1	2	3	4	5

TOPIC AREA 3: PA1

4. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements specific to wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park. (Select one number for each statement.)

Regarding Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone…	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Do Not Know
Being able to see wildlife in Yellowstone National Park means a lot to me.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I enjoy viewing wildlife here more than any other place.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I feel no committent to this park.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I am very attached to this park.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Viewing wildlife here is more important to me than viewing wildlife in any other place.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I identify stongly with this park.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I am very attached to this park.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Viewing wildlife here says a lot about who I am.	1	2	3	4	5	6

TOPIC AREA 7: HDW5

5. Have you encourtered wildlife on your trip so far in Yellowstone National Park?

No

Yes- describe your experience (What animal are you most interested in seeing ? What did you see? Where did you see them? When did you see them?): ________________________________

Topic Area 7: HDW22

6. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements specific to wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. (Select one number for each statement.)

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Do Not Know
I enjoy knowing that there are bison in Yellowstone even if I never see one.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I enjoy knowing that there are elk in Yellowstone even if I never see one.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I enjoy knowing that there are bears in Yellowstone even if I never see one.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I enjoy knowing that there are wolves in Yellowstone even if I never see one.	1	2	3	4	5	6
There are no benefits to having bison in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
There are no benefits to having elk in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
There are no benefits to having bears in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
There are no benefits to having wolves in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Bison are an important part of the natural ecosystem in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Elk are an important part of the natural ecosystem in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Bears are an important part of the natural ecosystem in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Wolves are an important part of the natural ecosystem in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Bison present a serious safety risk in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Elk present a serious safety risk in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Bears present a serious safety risk in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Wolves present a serious safety risk in Yellowstone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Preserving bison should be a part of management in Yellowtone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Preserving elk should be a part of management in Yellowtone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Preserving bears should be a part of management in Yellowtone.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Preserving wolves should be a part of management in Yellowtone.	1	2	3	4	5	6

Topic Area 7: HDW3; HDW11 and Topic Area 8: LNT8 (Variation: Combined aspects of a couple HDW into the original LNT8 question in order to focus on wildlife viewing beavhiors specifically.)

7. Please indicate how inappropriate or appropriate the following behaviors are for you to be doing around wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. (Select one number for each statement.)

	Very Inappropriate	Inappropriate	Neutral	Appropriate	Very Appropriate	Do Not Know
Taking “selfies” with wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Oberve wildlife using binoculars or a telephoto lens/scope to see wildlife clearly while keeping your distance.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Moving very slowly and quietly to approach wildlife to be as close as possible, while maintaining your safety.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Approaching wildlife from behind, so it is less likely to see you.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Moving to where other groups of visitors have congregated to view wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Using food to attract wildlife, so you can get a better photo.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Moving away from established trails and vehicle pull-outs to get closer to wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Moving toward wildlife until it changes its behavior in some way.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Staying far enough away from wildlife that you can easily cover it with your thumb, and no longer see it.	1	2	3	4	5	6

TOPIC AREA 7: HDW6 (Variation: Added an introductory question about visitor awareness surroudnign viewing regulations.)

8. Are you aware that within Yellowstone National Park there are regulations regarding the recommended distances individuals should stay away from large mammals such as wolves, bears, bison, and elk?

No (skip to #10)

Yes

TOPIC AREA 7: HDW7

9. How far is the recommened distance for wolf or bear viewing?

   100 yards

   50 yards

   25 yards

   A distance necessary to not interfere or cause changes to wildlife behavior

   I do not know

   
   

   TOPIC AREA 3: INFOSOURCE7 (Variation: generalized wording to all information sources used.)

10. When planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park, which was the primary source of information you used to find information about viewing wildlife?

Brochure/map

Ranger/ employee

Other visitors

Educational groups

Newspaper

Interpretive program

Interpretive sign

Social media

National Park Service App

Yellowstone National Park Website

Leave No Trace Website

Other, not listed here:______________

TOPIC AREA 7: HDW9

11. How much do you disagree or agree with the following statements regarding your most used information source about viewing wildlife?

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Do Not Know
The information made me think about appropriate behaviors while viewing wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
The information made me aware of appropriate behaviors while viewing wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
The information changed my viewing behavior regarding viewing wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I was already aware and knowledgeable about the information regarding viewing wildlife.	1	2	3	4	5	6

TOPIC AREA 8: LNT16 (Variation: Modified response options to fit study needs.)

12. Leave No Trace is an educational partner of the National Park Service and they work to help teach the public about how to recreate sustainabily, including how to respect wildlife in parks. Please indicate the extent to which you disagree or agree with the following statements regarding your involvement with Leave No Trace.

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree or Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree	Do Not Know
I have regularly used Leave No Trace techniques when recreating outdoors in the past.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I have taken time to educate others about using Leave No Trace techniques when recreating outdoors.	1	2	3	4	5	6
When recreating outdoors previously, I have planned ahead and prepared beyond the basic necessities.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I spend time regularly learning how to better Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors	1	2	3	4	5	6
I believe my knowledge of Leave No Trace techniques is more advanced than that of most other outdoor recreationists.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I understand how to use Leave No Trace techniques in a variety of outdoor settings.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I am confident in my ability to effectively Leave No Trace when participating in a variety of outdoor recreation activities.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I have invested in outdoor equipment to help me better Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Using Leave No Trace techniques when recreating outdoors says a lot about who I am.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Many people I surround myself with use Leave No Trace techniques when recreating outdoors.	1	2	3	4	5	6
I identify with the general image associated with Leave No Trace.	1	2	3	4	5	6

TOPIC AREA 1: AGE 1

14) In what year were you born? ________

TOPIC AREA 1: RES1

15) Are you a permanent resident or citizen of the United States? (Please respond “yes” or “no”)

NO - What is your country of origin? _______________________

YES - What is your primary zip code

Zip code ______________

TOPIC AREA 1: GROUP5

16) How many people were in your personal group today, including you?

____ Number of people

TOPIC AREA 1: GROUP3

16) Which one of the following best describes the group you are traveling with?

	Myself/alone
	Myself with family
	Myself with friends
	Commercial guided tour group
	Outfitter/guide
	Club/organization
	Other: _________________________

TOPIC AREA 1: LANG4

17) Which one language do you and members of your personal group primarily use to communicate with each other? (Select one.)

¨ English

¨ Other (please specify) _____________________________

TOPIC AREA 1: EDUC1

18) What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Select one.)

¨ Some high school

¨ High school graduate or GED

¨ Some college, business or trade school

¨ College, business or trade school graduate

¨ Some graduate school

¨ Master’s degree

¨ Doctoral or professional degree

TOPIC AREA 1: GEND1

19) What is your geneder? (Please select one.)

¨ Male

¨ Female

¨ Transgener, non-binary, or another gender

¨ Prefer not to answer

TOPIC AREA 8: MGMTOPT6

20) Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your visit to Yellowsyone National Park? _____________________________________________________________________________________