Monitoring Backcountry Indicators in Denali NP&PRES

Contact Script, Denali Backcountry User Survey
For day users:
Hello, I work for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and we are conducting a survey for the
National Park Service regarding visitors’ experiences in the backcountry. The backcountry is
defined as 150 feet from the park road or parking areas, and does not include the park road.
(show map) Did you hike or walk in the backcountry today?
If no Æ Thank you. (record as a non-backcountry user)
If yes Æ (If a group) We are requesting the person in your group over 18 with the most recent
birthday complete a short survey regarding your experience in the backcountry, would your
group be interested? (If an individual) Are you willing to participate in the survey? Before we
begin, are you over 18? (For all) Participation is voluntary, but the survey should take no longer
than 5 minutes to complete. The survey asks you to identify the backcountry unit you hiked or
walk in. The backcountry units are listed in the circles on the map on the survey and on the
larger map over (direct to larger map). Also, note you need to record encounters in the right
column here (point to column). After you complete the survey, please return the survey to me, or
place it in the survey drop box located (direct to box by WAC) and at the Backcountry
Information Center located by the bear resistant food container drop box.
If no Æ Thank you.
If yes Æ Thank you! Here is the survey. Do you need a pencil?
Record appropriate information in the survey log.
For overnight users:
[After permit is issued] The University of Alaska Fairbanks is conducting a survey for the
National Park Service regarding visitors’ experiences in the backcountry. (If a group) They are
requesting the person in your group over 18 with the most recent birthday complete a short
survey regarding your experience in the backcountry, would your group be interested? (If an
individual) Are you willing to participate in the survey? Before we begin, are you over 18?
(For all) Participation is voluntary. I would give you the survey now, but you would fill it out
during your backcountry trip. After your backcountry trip, please return the survey to a UAF
survey administrator, or place in the survey drop box located at the bus drop off at the WAC or
the Backcountry Information Center located by the bear resistant food container drop box.
If yes Æ Thank you! Here is the survey. Please fill out a separate page for each unit you travel
through and/or each day you spend in the backcountry. [Give the visitor the appropriate length
booklet.] Do you need a pencil? Have a great trip!
If no Æ Thank you. Have a great trip!

For both of the above, record appropriate information in Survey Log.
For interview with day hikers:
Thank you for completing the survey. We would also like to conduct more in-depth interviews
regarding the backcountry experience with a smaller number of park visitors. Participation is
voluntary, and it would take approximately 20 minutes. Would you be interested in
participating?
If no Æ Thank you, have a good afternoon/evening.
If yes Æ Thank you. Proceed with interview or set up time to conduct the interview.
Before starting interview Æ Do mind if I record the interview?
Proceed with interview.
For interview with backpackers:
Hello, I work for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and we are conducting a study for the
National Park Service regarding visitors’ experiences in the backcountry. As part of this study
we would like to conduct in-depth interviews regarding the backcountry experience with a small
number of overnight backpackers. Participation is voluntary, and it would take approximately 20
minutes. Would you be interested in participating?
If no Æ Thank you, have a good afternoon/evening.
If yes Æ Thank you. Proceed with interview or set up time to conduct the interview.
Before starting interview Æ Do mind if I record the interview?
Proceed with interview.
For day users who decline the survey:
Would you be interested in answering two short questions?
If yes Æ How many groups of people did you encountered in the backcountry?
[Record number on non-response sheet.] Did you hear motorized noise while you were in the
backcountry? [Record answer on non-response sheet.]
If no Æ Thanks, have a good afternoon/evening.