CURRENT PROJECTS

Selecting recreation allocation mechanisms: Management- and science-based contributions for navigating trade-offs in rationing and allocation design

This study seeks to provide recreation managers across the U.S. Forest Service with conceptual understanding to inform recreation rationing and allocation decision-making through guidance established from 1) management case studies and 2) outdoor recreation research. 

Collaborators: 

Christopher Armatas and Jaclyn Rushing, U.S. Forest Service, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute

Elizabeth Townley, U.S. Forest Service, Washington Office

Designing data-driven signage for invader noxious weeds in Montana: An experiment to support management of rush skeletonweed

This study seeks to understand which messaging and design strategies are most effective in communicating how to identify noxious weeds in recreation settings and persuade recreationists to take action to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

Collaborators: 

Jeremy Shellhorn (Co-PI), University of Kansas

Understanding angler responses to novel aquatic invasive species signage and wader cleaning station design through an iterative experiment at fishing access sites

This project advances and tests theory-driven behavior change strategies to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) via angler wading gear in Montana trout streams, building from the targeted interception theory of behavior change and previous research at the nexus of theory-based messaging and graphic design to evaluate signage and interactive cleaning station prototypes.

Collaborators: 

Jeremy Shellhorn (Co-PI), University of Kansas

Assessing recreation confinements and access restrictions across the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest

This research focuses on understanding and spatially defining recreation confinement and restrictions on federal public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, as well as demand for such lands, while also clarifying visitor behavior in response to confinements.

Collaborators: 

Christopher Armatas, U.S. Forest Service, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute

Studying recreationists' impacts on brown bear behavior in the Katmai Wilderness

This study seeks to understand how wilderness visitor use impacts brown bear behavior in coastal areas of the Katmai Wilderness within Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Collaborators: 

Kathy Zeller, The Wilderness Society

Kelsey Griffin, National Park Service, Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center

Study of tourist and local recreation patterns and experiences at Butte’s Thompson Park, Maud S Canyon, and segments of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

This study seeks to understand communities can balance recreation opportunities that contribute to both tourism and serve the well-being of local citizens, applying innovative approaches to pairing visitor monitoring data to experiential data.

Collaborators: 

Melissa Weddell (Co-PI), University of Montana, Institute of Tourism and Recreation Research

Modelling wilderness travel and understanding changes in wilderness values and attitudes toward management across decades in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

This study seeks to obtain current data on visitor use and update a travel model used to analyze and assess the effects of management direction on the wilderness character and visitor experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Superior National Forest.

Collaborators: 

Fernando Sanchez (PI), University of Montana

Frank Halprin, U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Region

Christopher Armatas, U.S. Forest Service, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute