UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Rovelstad, Ellen Lynn
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2013
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Increases in night sky related programming and positive National Park Service attitudes toward the night sky suggest that natural darkness and the night sky are seen as increasingly important park resources. However, little is known about how national park visitors value or perceive natural darkness and the night sky. This study uses quantitative survey methods and a variation of importance performance analysis to explore visitor attitudes toward natural darkness and the night sky and identify potential indicators of quality for night sky viewing experiences in national parks. Two questionnaires were developed ; one was administered to visitors at Acadia National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and another was administered to visitors only at Acadia National Park.
Some agreement was revealed between park managers and visitors, in that national park managers should work to protect the ability of visitors to view the night sky and conduct more night sky related programming, and that preserving a natural night environment is as important as protecting other natural resources in the study parks. However, visitors did not show the strongest agreement or importance for the night sky and night sky related activities ad motivations for visiting the parks used in this study. Golden Gate visitors tended to give significantly lower responses to the statements used in this study. The importance performance analysis identified potential indicators that had substantial impacts on visitor experiences; positive impacts from seeing the Milky Way, constellations, campfires, and positive impacts from not seeing streetlights and automobile lights.
Managers should identify indicators of quality to effectively manage for high quality night sky viewing experiences, as prescribed by contemporary outdoor recreation management frameworks. Managers and researchers should also continue to apply indicators and standards-based management in studies of outdoor recreation more broadly.
Some agreement was revealed between park managers and visitors, in that national park managers should work to protect the ability of visitors to view the night sky and conduct more night sky related programming, and that preserving a natural night environment is as important as protecting other natural resources in the study parks. However, visitors did not show the strongest agreement or importance for the night sky and night sky related activities ad motivations for visiting the parks used in this study. Golden Gate visitors tended to give significantly lower responses to the statements used in this study. The importance performance analysis identified potential indicators that had substantial impacts on visitor experiences; positive impacts from seeing the Milky Way, constellations, campfires, and positive impacts from not seeing streetlights and automobile lights.
Managers should identify indicators of quality to effectively manage for high quality night sky viewing experiences, as prescribed by contemporary outdoor recreation management frameworks. Managers and researchers should also continue to apply indicators and standards-based management in studies of outdoor recreation more broadly.