FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research...

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FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant

Transcript of FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research...

Page 1: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator

Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate

Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant

Page 2: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Acknowledgements

US Forest Service

Florida Trail Association

Special thanks to the land managers who made this study possible.

Page 3: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

What to Expect

1. How many FNST Visitors?

2. Who are the FNST Visitors?

3. Reconsidering Trail Standards.

Page 4: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

HOW MANY FNST VISITORS?

Page 5: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

2013-2014 Study Sites & Use Level

1. Apalachicola NF 1,338 - Sopchoppy - Bradwell Bay West2. St. Marks NWR 1,888 - Shepard Spring3. Osceola NF 562 - Battle Field -Turkey Run4. Ocala NF 5,932 - Lake Delancy - Juniper Rec. Area - SR 195. Tosohatchee WMA 1,428 - Woodbridge/Powerline Rd.6. Big Cypress NP 3,139 - Oasis North

2

6

1

3

4

5

Page 6: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

2013-2014 Study Site Use by Month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Juniper Rec. Area

SR 19

Lake Delancy

Battlefield

Turkey Run

Sopchoppy

Bradwell Bay West

Shepard Spring

Wood Bridge/Powerline Rd.

Oasis North

High use sites: greater variation by season Low use sites: less variation by season

Page 7: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

2013-2014 Trail-Wide Use Estimates 355,317 – total use 52% (185,982) - pedestrians 48% (169,335) - other users

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

2008-2009

2007-2008

2006-2007

2005-2006

2004-2005

2003-2004

- 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000 400,000

355,317

354,124

353,150

352,217

352,218

349,701

349,637

343,991

329,745

342,458

225,368

Chart Title

Page 8: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

2013-2014 Use Estimate by Segments

Bronson State ForestRice Creek

Etoniah State ForestMills Creek

Aucilla WMAOsceola National Forest

Kissimmee River/Avon AFBEglin AFB

Pine Log State ForestBull Creek WMA

Twin Rivers State ForestGreen Swamp WMA

Apalachicola National ForestEconfina WMA

Tosohatchee State PreserveThree Lakes WMA

Seminole State Forest Highlands (S65B to US 98)

Big Cypress National PreserveBlackwater River State Forest

Suwannee SegmentGoldhead Branch State Park

Ocala National ForestSt. Marks NWR & Rail Trail

Withlacoochee State Forest & Rail TrailLittle Big Econ St. Forest

Gulf Islands National SeashoreCross Florida Greenway

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000

Page 9: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

FNST Visitors by Area (NF and NP) Visitation to all three national forests mostly small but steady increase since

2007/2008 Volatile fluctuations in early years due to weather and technical difficulties Visitations to Big Cypress NP increase first time after continuous declining

since 2007/2008

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

2008-2009

2007-2008

2006-2007

2005-2006

2004-2005

2003-2004

0 500 100015002000250030000 10002000300040005000600070000 500 1000 1500 20000 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

Apalachicola NF Ocala NF Osceola NF Big Cypress NP

Page 10: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Refinement of Visitor Use Estimates New Access Points/Segments: thousands counts

added to the total use over the years: Shepard Spring, Woodbridge/Powerline Rd., Red Rock, Little Shoals, Latus…

Counter rotations: more counter data less mathematical inferring.

Re-assess areas with other traffic: Lake Okeechobee, St. Marks, Withlacoochee, Little Big Econ, Gulf Islands…

Page 11: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

WHO ARE THE

FNST VISITORS?

Page 12: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Demographics (n=328)

Female 36%

Male64%

Gender

Married Single Widowed Divorced0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Marital status

None One or two Three or more

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70No. of children in

home

White

Hispanic/Latino

African American

Asian American

Hawaiin/American Indian

0 20 40 60 80 100

Race/ethnicity

Page 13: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Demographics (n=328)

Characteristics %

Education High school or below 10

Some College 27

College Graduate 38

Some Graduate School 6

Graduate degree or beyond 19

Employment Full time 63

Part time 8

Unemployed 7

Home maker 2

Retired 12

Student 11

HH income Less than 30,000 19

30,000 - 60,000 26

60,000 - 90,000 25

90,000 or more 30

Page 14: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Trip characteristics (n=328)

49%51%

Types of visitors

First time Returning

None Low (1-6 times)

Medium (7-20 times)

High (> 20 times)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60Use frequency (past 12 months)

% o

f re

spo

nd

en

ts

Page 15: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Trip Characteristics (n=328)

One hour or

less

Few hours to

half a day

One whole day

More than one

day

0

10

20

30

40

50Time spent on the trail

% o

f re

sp

on

de

nts

Less than a mile

1-5 miles 5-10 miles

>10 miles

0

10

20

30

40

50

60 Miles hiked on the trail

% o

f re

spo

nd

en

ts

Alone: 22%, Group of two or three: 55%, Family or friends: 63%

Page 16: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Source of trail information

Family/friend

Saw trail

Website

Other

Road sign

Don't remember

Guidebook

Brochure

Magazine/Newspaper

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

% of respondents

Distance from home zip code %

5 miles or less6

5 - 10 miles5

10 - 20 miles13

20 - 50 miles31

50 - 100 miles20

100 - 250 miles12

250 - 500 miles3

500 miles or more 9

How far the visitors came from?

Page 17: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Preferences and motivations

Attractions (Pull factors) Mean

Wilderness and undisturbed nature 4.5

Good environmental quality of air, water, and

soil4.2

Chance to see wildlife/birds 4.1

To see the natural water features 3.8

Easy access to the area/being easy to get to 3.6

Motivation (push factors) Mean

To enjoy the scenery 3.6

To experience nature 3.5

To be close to nature 3.4

To get exercise 3.4

To relax physically 3.3

All items measured in a scale of 1 (Not at all important) – 5 (Very important)

Page 18: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Trail experience and feedback

10 9 8 7 or below 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

4036

21 22 21

Rating of trail expereince Rating (Scale: 1 - 10)

% o

f re

spo

nd

en

ts

Reasons/suggestions (n = 213) %

Maps, sign, marking, and blazes are not sufficient 21

Expected to see more wildlife, water features, diversity of vegetation, and scenery 14

Personal reason, bugs, bad weather, and wrong season 13

Increase drinking water facilities and bathrooms 11

Clear fallen dead trees and brush piles and minimize burning on the trail 10

Too much of litter, trash, and poop on the side of the trail 9

Clear dense bush, rocks, gravels, roots, and other obstacles and maintain shade on the trail 8

Other 26

Page 19: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

RECONSIDERING TRAIL STANDARDS:

THINK LARGE SCALE

Page 20: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

People visit the FNST for different reasons.Desire different things.

Site attributesMean

(N=282)

Subgroups based on pull factors

Low Enthusiastic

(22%)

Convenience & Non-

consumptive (26%)

Non-consumptive

(31%)Opportunistic

(21%)Fishing 2.1 1.3 1.6 2.0 3.7Big game 1.6 1.1 1.2 1.1 3.4Small game 1.7 1.1 1.4 1.2 3.4Natural water features 3.8 3.3 3.2 4.4 4.1Wilderness 4.5 4.1 4.5 4.7 4.4Wildlife 4.1 3.3 4.3 4.4 4.0Camping 3.6 1.6 4.0 4.4 4.0Easy access 3.6 3.2 4.3 3.0 4.0Close to home 3.2 2.8 4.2 2.2 4.0Parking 3.2 2.5 3.9 2.9 3.6

Page 21: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

What’s An Attractive Segment? High use correlates high level of attractiveness of the

surrounding area High use areas (Ocala, Withlacoochee, Suwannee) have more

attraction features to offer: tourism support facilities, landscape features, and outdoor recreation activities

PEAK USE LEVEL

Page 22: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

What Do They Want? Surrounding Attractions

Use is focused in a few key areas Areas close to urban areas (Little Big Econ, Cross Florida

Greenway) Areas with more attraction features to offer (Ocala NF,

Suwannee segments)

Consistent use (approximately 350,000 visits) Many areas could accommodate more users Expanding visitation is very possible

Page 23: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

What if area is not “attractive”?

Areas like St. Marks, Big Cypress… Perceived more attractive than what areas can deliver Creation/improvement: attraction features Expectations should be matched by supply

Areas like Apalachicola, Tosohatchee and others Perceived less attractive than what areas possess Untapped potential Promote attraction features Awareness

Page 24: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Things to Monitor/ImproveImproving Experience

• Communication!!!• Highlight water and wildlife attractions• Highlight surrounding amenities

Higher Use Sites• Diverse amenities surrounding section• Close to water• Close to residential areas

• Middle income has higher rates of use

Lower Use Sites• “Isolated” areas

• But, communication could remove isolated perception

• Sand hills• Potential trail “improvements” could improve use

Page 25: FNST VISITOR ASSESSMENT Taylor Stein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Bin Wan, Ph.D., Research Associate Ramesh Paudyal, Graduate Research Assistant.

Thank youFNST by Lake DeLancy, Ocala NF

Thank you

FNST by St. Marks NWR