Two NPS visitor surveys

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Program

Expedited Approval for NPS-Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

Project Title
⎢
Submission
Date:

2.

Abstract:

Assessing backcountry campers’ adoption of Leave No Trace
technologies—Rocky Mountain National Park

Feb. 27, 2009

Each year Rocky Mountain National Park staff distribute about 3,000 Restop2 disposable toilets
free to backcountry campers. The objective of this research is to determine the primary barriers
to backpackers’ use of the Restop2bags, assess their use of the units, and to understand their
demographics, backcountry camping practices, and Leave No Trace practices. A sample of 500
campers will be drawn from 2010 backcountry registration permits. Dillman’s Tailored Design
Method, which includes three contacts, will be employed to conduct the survey.
(not to exceed 150 words)

3.

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:
Title:
Affiliation:

Street
Address:
City:

4.

Last Name:

Donald

Zimmerman

Professor
Dept. of Journalism & Technical
Communication
Colorado State University
C-231 Clark Bldg.
Fort Collins

State:

Phone:

970-491-5674

Email:

[email protected]

Fax:

CO

Zip code:

80523-1785

970-491-2908

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
First Name:
Title:
Park:
Park
Office/Divisi
on:
Street
Address:
City:

Phone:

Last Name:

Judy

Visty

Research Administrator/Ecologist
Rocky Mountain National Park
Continental Divide Research Learning Center

1000 Highway 36
Estes Park
970-586-1392

State:

Fax:

CO

Zip
code:

80517

Email:

[email protected]

Project

Information

5.

Park(s) For Which
Research is to be
Conducted:

Rocky Mountain National Park

6.

Survey Dates:

(mm/dd/yyyy)

to

10/31/2010

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)

7.

X Mail-Back
Questionnaire
‰

8.

07/01/2010

‰

On-Site
Questionnair
e

‰

‰

Face-toFace
Interview

‰

Telephon
e Survey

‰

Focus
Groups

Other
(explain)

Survey
Justification:
(Use as much
space as
needed; if
necessary
include
additional
explanation on
a
separate
page.)

Social science research in support of park planning and management is
mandated in the NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1,
“Social Science Studies”). The NPS pursues a policy that facilitates
social science studies in support of the NPS mission to protect
resources and enhance the enjoyment of present and future generations
(National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq.).
NPS policy mandates that social science research will be used to
provide an understanding of park visitors, the non-visiting public,
gateway communities and regions, and human interactions to park
personnel. Such studies are needed to provide a scientific basis for
park planning, development, operations, management, education, and
interpretive activities.
Legal Justification: The National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat
535, 16 USC 1, et seq., requires that the National Park Service (NPS)
preserve the national parks for the use and enjoyment of present and
future generations. At the field level, this includes activities such as
resource preservation, public education, facility maintenance and
operation, and physical developments that are necessary for public use,
health, and safety.
Backcountry management is further discussed in National Park Service
Director's Order #41 on Wilderness Preservation and Management.
Human waste in the backcountry is an ongoing resource and health
concern at Rocky Mountain National Park and other parks. Installing
numerous privies is neither economically feasible nor desirable due to
resource impacts. (Privies are both unsightly and concentrate waste.)
Restop2 bags offer an alternative way to treat human waste at minimal
cost and with no visual intrusion or negative health impacts. This
study will identify obstacles to their adoption by visitors.
Literature Review
Although no previous research has been conducted at Rocky Mountain
or other national parks on the use of Restop 2 bags, littering and health
issues for campers and animals have always been an issue in the
maintenance of a forest or wilderness environment. For example,
Boulware (2004) found that 56% of backpackers along the
Appalachian Trial experienced a variety of health issues during their
outings, including diarrhea.

Various programs have been developed to change visitor awareness
and behavior in parks, including wilderness and backcountry areas.
According to a review by Marion and Reid (2007), most visitor
education efforts effectively alter knowledge and outdoor conduct in a
positive manner. Even low-impact educational programs using
informational and persuasive signage at relevant locations within a
park are effective in changing behavior (Widener & Roggenbuck,
1999). In particular, communication that encourages voluntary
behavior by enhancing consumers’ perceptions that their actions will
improve the environment have been shown to be effective (Ellen,
Wiener, & Cobb-Walgren, 1991). However, development of effective
behavior-change messages is facilitated by understanding the
behaviors, characteristics, and motives underlying current behavioral
patterns. This survey will provide that information to park managers.
9.

Survey
Methodology:
(Use as much
space as
needed; if
necessary
include
additional
explanation on
a
separate
page.)

(a) (b) Respondent universe:

A sample of backcountry campers (18 years old and older) who are
issued permits during July and August 2010 will be invited to
participate in the study.
(c) Sampling plan/procedures:

Each year Rocky Mountain National Park staff members distribute
about 3,000 Restop2 bags free to backcountry campers. Every camper
contacted during the recruitment period will receive a free Restop2
bag. Park volunteers will be trained to approach backpackers. The
enclosed quality assurance plan details responsibilities, training
activities, and planned monitoring. After backpackers have received
their permits, volunteer recruiters will approach every other group of
backcountry campers on the sampled days and provide a brief
explanation of the project, give them a cover letter explaining the
project, and ask if they are willing to help with the study. If they agree,
the volunteer will ask the person in the group with the most recent
birthday to complete the information/contact form. The recruiters will
ask him/her to furnish contact information, including name, address,
telephone, and e-mail address, along with the number of people in their
party, the number of backcountry camping nights, and frequency of
camping two or more days in a row. For each group approached,
general observational information (such as age, gender, and party size)
will be recorded and used to check for non-response bias. Of the 4,500
backcountry campers who obtain permits annually, about 30% obtain
them in July and 30% in August (n = 2,700). Sampling will occur on
18 days, with the sample stratified between nine weekend (Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday) and nine midweek periods (Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday). Recruitment will be between 7 a.m. and 7
p.m. on each day. During that time, every second group to request a
backcountry camping permit will be contacted and asked to participate
in the survey. We estimate that this will yield 821 contacts during the
sampling period.
(d) Instrument administration:

The survey will be conducted according to Dillman’s (2007) Tailored
Design Method (TDM). In addition to the initial contact in the park,

the sampled backpackers will be contacted three times. The first
mailing will be about a month after backpackers are contacted in the
park. This mailing will include a packet containing a personalized
letter; a stamped, addressed, return envelope; and the questionnaire.
Directions on how to fill out the survey and return it are included in
the letter and survey. The survey contains a control number for
tracking respondents. A reminder/thank you postcard will be sent to all
participants two weeks after the first mailing. Two weeks after that, the
third and final mailing to non-respondents only will include another
personalized letter, replacement questionnaire, and a stamped, return
envelope.
(e) Expected response rate/confidence levels:

Based on reviews of other surveys of park visitors using similar
methods, we anticipate a 60% response rate. Face-to-face intercept
interviews are generally high for park studies, for example 86%
(Jaakson & Shin, 1993) and 99% (Boulware, 2004), and the mailback
portion of the NPS VSP visitory surveys generally achieve response
rates of 65% - 75% Because the onsite contact represents a minimal
burden on campers, we anticipate that 90% of the 821 groups

approached will agree to participate. Frpm this list we will draw
a random sample of 500 contacts to receive the mail
questionnaire. If 70% return the survey, the final sample size
will be 350. Assuming a finite population of 4,500 permit holders,
the 95% confidence interval will be +/- 5.0% for questions with
dichotomous responses.
(f)

Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias:

A log will be kept recording the disposition of each group contacted
onsite. This will include whether or not a group agreed to participate,
along with the date (weekend vs. midweek), time (morning vs.
afternoon), and the number in each group (including males, females,
and children under 16 years of age) Respondents and nonrespondents
will be compared on these characteristics. The report will document
the results of the non-response bias check and discuss implications for
interpreting the results..
(g) Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the
methods and/or instrument (recommended):

The questionnaire, letters, and forms were peer reviewed by NPS
managers and university professors and research scientists. We have
pre-tested the survey with 8 backpackers. The questions were
developed specifically for this project, except for the standard
questions provided by the National Park Service Social Science unit.

10.

Total Number
of
Initial
Contacts |
Expected

821

350

Estimated
Time to
Complete
Initial
Contact |

2

20

Total
Burden
Hours:

144

Respondents:

13.

Reporting
Plan:

Instrument
(mins.):

Our data analysis will include frequencies, percentages, means, and
standard deviations for questions/variables. We will run reliability scores
on the scale questions and use analysis of variance when comparing
different demographic groups. We will provide a final report to the Rocky
Mountain National Park staff on the survey results. We will provide
electronic copies to the NPS Social Science Division for inclusion in the
Social Science Studies Collection.

Boulware, D.R. (2004). Influence of hygiene on gastrointestinal illness among wilderness backpackers. Journal of
Travel Medicine, 11, 27-33.
Dillman, D. (2007). Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method.2nd Edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Riley
& Sons.
Ellen, P.S., Wiener, J.L., & Cobb-Walgren, C. (1991). The role of perceived consumer effectiveness in motivating
environmentally conscious behavior. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 10, 2, 102-117.
Jaakson, R. & Shin, W.S. (1994). Purism and campers. The Journal of Social Psychology 133, 4, 489-493.
Marion, J.L., & Reid, S.E. (2007). Minimizing visitor impacts to protected areas: The efficacy of low impact
education programmes. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 15, 1, 5-27.
Widener, C.J., & Roggenbuck, J.W. (1999). Reducing theft of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park.
Journal of Interpretation Research, 5, 5, 1-18.

Recruiting Script
Hi,
I’m _______ and I’m helping with a research project being conducted by Colorado State University for
Rocky Mountain National Park.
We’re looking for visitors who would be willing to help complete a mail questionnaire in about a
month. The questionnaire will explore backcountry camping practices and take about 20 minutes to
complete.
Once we have the list of backcountry visitors, we will be sampling 500 names from the list.

Would you be willing to participate in this study?
If YES  Who in your group has had the most recent birthday? Could we add your name to our list of
possible people to be sampled?
Could you give me your name? _______________________
Here’s a letter detailing the project.
Please fill out the information form and return it to me.
If NO  Thank you very much.

Recruiting Letter

Center for Research on Communication
& Technology
Journalism & Technical Communication
C-223 Clark Bldg
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
Telephone 970-491-5674
Dear Backcountry Camper:
Thanks for your willingness to volunteer for our research project.
Rocky Mountain National Park has asked Colorado State University to conduct a research that explores
backcountry campers’ use of Leave No Trace practices and supplies.
We will add your name to our pool of names of backcountry campers enjoying Rocky Mountain National
Park during the 2010 summer season. Later this summer, we will be drawing a random sample of 500
names from the pool to help us with the project.
In about a month, we will be sending a mail questionnaire to the campers sampled, and we will be asking
them to complete and return it using a postage-paid envelope.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Only with the assistance from people like you will our
research be helpful in making backcountry camping experiences enjoyable.
Have a good backcountry camping trip.
Sincerely,
Don Zimmerman
Professor & Director
E-mail: [email protected]

OMB # XXXX – XXXX (NPS XX-XXX)
Expiration date:

Contact Information Record

Center for Research on Communication
& Technology
Journalism & Technical Communication
C-223 Clark Bldg
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
Telephone 970-491-5674
e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Backcountry Camper:
Thank you for your willingness to help with this important research project. Only with the assistance from
people like you will our research be helpful in making backcountry camping experiences enjoyable.
Please provide the information requested below. It will only be used for our research project.
1. Name: _________________________________________
2. Street Address: ___________________________________
3. City: ___________________________________________
4. State: __________________________________________
5. Zip Code: _______________________________________
6. E-mail: _________________________________________
7. Number in your camping group: _____________________
8. Number of days planned for camping in the backcountry: _________________
9. How often in a year do you go backcountry camping for two or more days in a row?
_____ times a year _____ This is my first time!
PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better serve the
public. Response to this request is voluntary. No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the information
requested. Your name is requested for follow-up mailing purposes only. When analysis of the questionnaire is completed, all
name and address files will be destroyed. Thus permanent data will be anonymous. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Burden estimate statement: Public reporting for this form is estimated to average 20 minutes per response. Direct comments
regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to: Judy Visty, Research Administrator/Ecologist, Continental
Divide Research Learning Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 Highway 36 Estes Park, CO 80517, e-mail:
[email protected].

Cover Letter for First Packet

Center for Research on Communication
& Technology
Journalism & Technical Communication
C-223 Clark Bldg
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
Telephone 970-491-5674
e-mail: [email protected]

Dear
About a month ago, you completed a backcountry camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We
hope you enjoyed your trip. When you obtained your backcountry camping permit, you indicated that you
would be willing to help us with a research project.
We sincerely appreciate your willingness to help us with our research. You are one of a select sample of
backcountry campers being asked to complete the enclosed questionnaire. Our research project focuses
on developing a better understanding of backcountry campers’ use of Leave No Trace supplies and
camping practices. Our findings will help the Rocky Mountain National Park staff provide better services
and enhance backcountry camping experiences.
Please complete the enclosed questionnaire and mail it to us in the enclosed, stamped, return envelope.
Your responses to this survey are voluntary and final data is anonymous. Our findings will be released as
summaries. When you return the questionnaire, your name will be deleted from our mailing list and never
connected to your answers in any way. If, for some reason, you prefer not to respond, please let us know
by returning the blank questionnaire in the enclosed envelope.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail, call, or write me (see letterhead).
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Don Zimmerman
Professor & Director

OMB # XXXX – XXXX (NPS XX-XXX)
Expiration date:

Assessing Backcountry Campers’ Adoption
of Leave No Trace Technologies

PRIVACY ACT and PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT statement:
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park
managers to better serve the public. Response to this request is voluntary. No action may be
taken against you for refusing to supply the information requested. Your name is requested for
follow-up mailing purposes only. When analysis of the questionnaire is completed, all name
and address files will be destroyed. Thus permanent data will be anonymous. An agency may
not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Burden estimate statement: Public reporting for this form is estimated to average 20 minutes
per response. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form
to: Judy Visty, Research Administrator/Ecologist, Continental Divide Research Learning
Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 Highway 36 Estes Park, CO 80517, e-mail:
[email protected].

Center for Research on Communication and Technology
C-244 Clark
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Control Number ________

Your Recent Backcountry Experience at Rocky Mountain National Park
Thank you for choosing to participate in this visitor survey. The following questions are about your recent
backcountry experience at Rocky Mountain National Park when you volunteered to help with this study
earlier this year.
1. Where do you live? [1. RES1]
a. City__________ State ______________ Zip _____
b. Country (if not US) __________________________
2. How many nights did you spend in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park? [1. variation
TRIPC11]
Number of nights____ OR __ Don’t Know
3. How many people were in your backcountry group, including yourself? ________ people [1. GRP3]
4. When did you or your group make the decision to take your backgcountry trip in Rocky Mountain
National Park? (Check one.) [2. TPLAN19]
_____ On the day of the trip
_____ 2-7 days before the trip
_____ 8 to 30 days before the trip
_____ 1 to 6 months before the trip
_____ More than 6 months, but less than a year before the visit
_____ A year or more before the trip
5. Did you plan the trip for an organization (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Colorado Mountain Club, etc.)?
[Topic Area 2, Trip/Visit Characteristics]
____ Yes  Go to Question 5a.
____ No  Skip to Question 6.
5a. If YES, what was the group? ___________________________________
6. For the recent backpacking trip on which we contacted you, how many people in your group were:
____ # Female ____ # Male [1. variation GRP3]
Understanding your Backcountry Camping Habits
7. How many times have you been backcountry camping in the last 12 months? _____ [3. variation
ACT31]
8. What is the most common length of your backcountry camping experiences? [Topic Area 2,
Trip/Visit Characteristics]
_____ 1 to 2 nights

_____ 3 to 4 nights

______ 5 or more nights

9. Have you ever camped in cross-country zones or hiked off-trail? [3. TBACK8]
____ Yes Go to Question 9a.
____ No  Skip to Question 10.
9a. If YES, how often did you camp in a cross-country zone or hike off-trail in the last 12
months? _____ times [3. variation ACT31]

10. For your trip when you agreed to participate in this study, what age group were your camping
companions? (Check all that apply.) [1. variation AGE3]
_____ Under 18 years _____ 18 to 26 years _____ 27 to 35 years _____ 36 and older
11. Please briefly describe any training experience you have received for backcountry camping, including
workshops, guided camping experiences, Boy Scouts, Sierra Club, etc. [1. variation LNT2]
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
12. For each area below, please circle one number that represents your level of camping expertise.
Let 1= Novice to 7= Expert [1. LNT3]
Areas
a. Using topographic maps
b. Treating water
c. Surviving a variety of weather conditions
d. Protecting food from wildlife
e. Using GPS
f. Other (please list): ___________________

Novice
1
1
1
1
1
1

Expert
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7

National Park Service “Leave No Trace” initiative
13. The following questions ask you to rate yourself in terms of knowledge and implementation of the
National Park Service’s “Leave No Trace” initiative. Some people are familiar with these guidelines;
others are not. If you aren’t familiar with the guideline, circle the ? mark. If you are familiar with the
guideline, please circle one number representing how often you follow it, using the scale where 1 =
Never and 7 = Always. [Topic Area 1, Individual Characteristics]
Guidelines
a. I check the regulations and special guidelines for the camping area that I plan to
visit.
b. I check out the current weather conditions
before leaving on my camping trip.
c. I check out special area information
before leaving on my camping trip.
d. I leave an itinerary with someone at home
when I backpack.
e. I plan my meals and repackage food into
reusable containers.
f. I stay on designated trails.
g. Except in tundra areas, my camping party
hikes single file.

Not Familiar
with Guideline

Never

Always

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14. NOTE: For the following questions, let 1= Always and 7 = Never. [Topic Area 1, Individual
Characteristics]
Not Familiar
Guidelines
Never
Always
with Guideline
a. When I rest, I sit on rocks, logs, or in
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
clearings.
b. My camping party speaks softly.
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
c. I use the tent pad at the campsite if available
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
or camp on other durable surfaces.
d. I camp in the area indicated on my permit.
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
e. I use a portable stove for cooking.
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
f. I leave plants and rocks in their natural
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
positions.
g. I hang or place food and scented items (e.g.,
deodorant, shampoo, etc.) in a ‘bear barrel’
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
or special food container.
h. I wash my dishes at least 200 feet from
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
water sources.
i. I pack out everything I bring into the
?
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
backcountry.
Assessment of Restop2 Units Use in Rocky Mountain National Park
One guideline of “Leave No Trace” is to manage human feces by using campsite pit toilets or digging a
small pit, sometimes called a cathole. For this research project, you received a Restop2 bag. Restop2 is a
bag system where you use the bag, seal the bag, and pack out the waste.
Some campers in Rocky Mountain National Park have received a Restop2 bag for free or have
purchased them or a similar bag.
15. Do you remember receiving a Restop2 bag for free on your recent backpacking trip? [Topic Area 6,
Individual Perceptions of their Park Experience]
_____ Yes  Go to Question 15a.
_____ No  Skip to Question 16.
15a. Where did you receive a Restop2 bag for free? Check all that apply. [Topic Area 3,
Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
_____ Rocky Mountain National Park office
_____ From a fellow camper
_____ Trailhead
_____ Other (list): _____________________
16. Have you ever purchased a Restop2 or similar disposal bag for any backpacking trip to Rocky
Mountain National Park? [Topic Area 3, Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
_____ Yes  Go to Question 16a.
_____ No  Skip to Question 17.
16a. Where have you purchased a Restop2 or similar bag? Check all that apply. [Topic Area 3,
Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
___ Rocky Mountain National Park office
___ From a fellow camper

___ Sporting or camping store
___ Other (list): _____________________

17. If you either received or purchased a Restop2 bag or a similar device during your recent backcountry
experience at Rocky Mountain National Park, did you use it? [Topic Area 3, Individual Activities and
Uses of Park Resources]
_____ Yes, I used it. Go to Question 17a.
_____ No, I didn’t use it.  Skip to Question 18.
17a. How often did you use Restop2 bags or a similar product on your recent backpacking trip?
[Topic Area 3, Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
_____ 1 to 3 times

_____ 4 to 6 times

_____ 7 to 9 times

_____ 10 or more times

17b. How did you dispose of the Restop2 bag(s) or similar product? [Topic Area 3, Individual
Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Opinions about the Use of Restop2 Bags
18. In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages to campers of using a Restop2 bag?
[Topic Area 5, Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
Advantages:

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
19. In your opinion, what are the disadvantages and advantages to the environment of using a Restop2
bag? [Topic Area 5, Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
Advantages:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Disadvantages: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
20. In your opinion, what impact, if any, did Restop2 use have on the immediate area where you camped?
[Topic Area 5, Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
__________________________________________________________________________
21. For each attribute below, please circle one number representing the Reststop2 or similar product’s
ease of use. Use the scale of 1 = Very Difficult to 7 = Very Easy. Circle N/A, i.e., not applicable, if it
does not apply to you. [Topic Area 5, Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
Attribute
a. Understanding the bag’s directions.
b. Opening the bag.
c. Closing the bag.
d. Using the gel.
e. Packing out the bag(s).
f. Disposing of the bags after your trip.

Very Difficult
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

Very Easy
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7

Not
Applicable
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

22. If you had Restop2 or similar bags on your recent backpacking trip and didn’t use them, list the
reasons why you did not. [Topic Area 6, Individual Perceptions of their Park Experience]
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
23. How likely are you to purchase a Restop2 or similar disposal bag for future backcountry use? (Please
circle one number.) [4. variation TpB1]
Not likely
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Very likely
24. How likely are you to support the mandatory use of the Restop2 or similar device in the backcountry of
Rocky Mountain National Park? (Please circle one number.) [4. variation TpB1]
Not likely

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Very likely

25. In your opinion, is digging a small hole for disposing human waste (check one only): [1. variation
LNT6]
_____ Easier than using a Restop2 or similar bag
_____ As easy as using a Restop2 or similar bag
_____ Harder than using a Restop2 or similar bag
26. For each statement below, please circle one number representing how frequently you have seen or
observed each situation. Use the scale where 1 = Never to 7 = Very often. [Topic Area 6, Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experience]
Areas
a. A Restop2 or a similar bag at a
camping or sports store.
b. A Restop2 or a similar bag being
advertised.
c. People walking with a Restop2 bag at
a campsite.

Never

Very often

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

27. Check all the places where you have seen information about Restop2 or a similar product. [Topic
Area 3, Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
_____ Haven’t seen any information OR _____ National Park Service office/Park rangers
_____ Camping magazines
_____ Other (please specify): ______________
_________________________________
28. For each item, please circle one number representing how important the item would be in influencing
your decision to use Restop2 or a similar device on a future backpacking trip. Use the scale where
1 = Not important to 7 = Very important. [4. variation TpB4]
Items
a. National Park requirement
b. Camping group decision
c. Environmental impact
d. Health reasons
e. Other (list): __________________

Not important
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3

4
4
4
4
4

Very important
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7

29. For each item, please circle one number representing how important the following would be in
influencing your decision to continue using Reststop2 or a similar device. Use the scale where 1 =
Not important to 7 = Very important. [Topic Area 3, Individual Activities and Uses of Park
Resources]
Areas
a. Convenient to purchase
b. Free to backcountry campers
c. Purchase price
d. Ease of disposal
e. Length of camping trip
f. Weight of the bag
g. Other (list): __________________

Not important
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3

Very important
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7
5
6
7

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

Background Information
30. What is your age? _____ [1. AGE2]
31. What is your gender? ____ Male

____ Female [1. GEND2]

32. How long have you been backcountry camping (overnight activity)? [1. variation VISITHIS4]
___ Less than 3 years

___ 3 to 6 years

___ 7 to 9 years

___ 10 or more years

33. With what groups do you go backcountry camping? (Check all that apply.) [1. variation GRP5]
___ Youth groups
___ Family ___ Friends ___ Recreation club
___ Church groups ___ Other (please specify): _________________
34. In what related activities do you participate while camping? (Check all that apply.) [Topic Area 3,
Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
___ Fishing
___ Bird/Wildlife watching
___ Photography ___ Other (list): _______________________________
35. For each of the following information sources, please circle one number that represents how
frequently you use it to learn about camping. Use the scale where 1 = Never to 7= Very often. [2.
variation TPLAN11]
Information source
a. Rocky Mountain National Park Website
b. Other websites (list):
____________________________________
b. Outdoor store (e.g., REI or Cabela’s)
c. Camping/Recreational magazines
d. Friends
e. Other (list): _________________________

Never
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

Very often
6
7
6
7
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your recent backcountry trip to Rocky Mountain
National Park? If so, please use the space below. [6. OPMGMT7]

We sincerely appreciate the information you provided; it will help us better understand your backcountry
camping concerns. If you would like a summary of the results, please print your name and address on a
separate sheet of paper (not this questionnaire) and include it with the questionnaire. We will send you a
copy.

Thank you for your help.
Please fold the survey and return it in the enclosed envelope.

POSTCARD REMINDER
Month, Day, 2010
About two weeks ago, we mailed you a questionnaire about your use of Leave No Trace practices and
supplies while backcountry camping.
If you have completed and returned the questionnaire, please accept our sincere thanks. If not, please
do so today. We sincerely appreciate your help because it is only by asking backcountry campers like
yourself to share their viewpoints that we will develop a better understanding of campers’ use of Leave
No Trace practices and supplies.
If you did not receive the questionnaire or it was misplaced, please e-mail me at
[email protected] or call me at 970-491-5674, and we will mail you another questionnaire.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Don Zimmerman, Professor & Director
Center for Research on Communication & Technology
C-244
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785

Cover Letter Second Questionnaire

Center for Research on Communication
& Technology
Journalism & Technical Communication
C-223 Clark Bldg
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
Telephone 970-491-5674
e-mail: [email protected]

Dear
I am writing about the backcountry camping survey at Rocky Mountain National Park, in which you agreed
to participate. The waiting period for incoming questionnaires is almost over, and as of today, we have not
yet received yours. (If you have mailed it within the past few days, thank you!) Since you are one of a
select number of backcountry campers at Rocky Mountain who were chosen to participate in the survey, I
would appreciate you completing the questionnaire.
The staff of Rocky Mountain National Park is anxiously awaiting the survey results. They want to use your
ideas and opinions in making decisions and learning more about backcountry campers Leave-No-Trace
viewpoints.
So please complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it by [date]. It should take you about 20
minutes. Your contribution to the success of this study is greatly appreciated.
We also want you to know that protecting your identity is important to us and the University. The
identification number on the back of the questionnaire enables us to check your name off of the mailing
list when the questionnaire is returned. At the end of the research period, the list of names is destroyed
so that individual names cannot be connected to the questionnaire results in any way.
We hope that you fill out and return the enclosed questionnaire soon, but if you prefer not to, please let us
know by returning a note or a blank questionnaire in the enclosed, stamped, self-addressed envelope.
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me, call, or write me (see letterhead).
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Don Zimmerman
Professor & Director

Quality Assurance for Leave No Trace Survey, Rocky Mountain National Park 
Don Zimmerman, Principal Investigator,  Colorado State University.   
Judy Visty, PARK CO‐COORDINATOR ON PROJECT 
Cheri Yost, PARK CO‐COORDINATOR ON PROJECT 

The staff of Rocky Mountain National Park is committed to the success of a backcountry campers by 
recruiting volunteers for recruiting participants for the Leave No Trace survey of backcountry campers in 
Rocky Mountain National Park.  

Responsibilities of Park Coordinator 
• Recruits volunteers, hereafter called “volunteer recruiters.” (They will recruit participants for 
the mail survey. ) 
• Ensures ample volunteer recruiters for recruiting participants. 
• Provides a room for training volunteer recruiters.  
• Informs RMNP staff members when volunteer recruiters will be soliciting survey participants so 
they can answer survey‐related questions. 
• Provides sufficient Restop 2 bags for distribution during sampling period. 
• Provides pickup and return locations for forms (Names and address lists for potential 
participants of the Leave No Trace survey). 

Responsibilities of Volunteer Recruiters 
• Complete training to recruit participants according to project sampling strategy. 
• Available to recruit participants on prescribed days. 
• Follow the recruitment procedures. 
• Maintain a count of the number of park visitors approached, and a log of the observable 
characteristics of refusals and non‐refusals for use in a non‐response bias analysis.  
• Return completed survey logs to the Park Coordinator at the end of each day of recruiting. 

Responsibilities of Principal Investigator 
• Prepares detailed sampling protocol to use in training volunteer recruiters and to guide and 
remind volunteers of the protocol. 
• Conducts two training sessions in coordination with Park Project Coordinator./ 
One session will be prior to the beginning recruitment of volunteers and the second if 
additional or alternative volunteers are needed. 
• Is in regular contact with Park Coordinator . 
• Makes periodic visits to the Park to ensure volunteers are complying with protocol. 
• Provides reports to Rocky Mountain National Park staff as required in the agreement. 

E:\National Park Service\OMB\1‐Expedited Approvals\~In process Expedited Approvals\09‐E‐010 
ROMO~\Qual_Assurance_ROMO_Leave_No_Trace_4May201_DEZ.rtf