BLM Arcata Field Office Visitor Satisfaction Survey

[cover letter to accompany survey]

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arcata Field Office

Recreation Visitor Survey

Dear Visitor:

You were recently contacted in person at a Humboldt County BLM recreation site (either Samoa Dunes, Mike Thompson Wildlife Area (South Spit), Ma-le’l Dunes, or Lost Coast Headlands) by a student from Humboldt State University. At that time you agreed to participate in this study of recreation visitors to BLM public lands.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary and all of your answers will remain completely anonymous. Please carefully read all directions and mark your responses clearly. There are no penalties for not answering any or all of the questions. Your cooperation is extremely important since each person surveyed will represent many others who will not be surveyed. Humboldt State University will summarize the results to the answers you provide. The information provided will not be used beyond the purposes of this study

The Bureau of Land Management will use the comments you provide to improve customer satisfaction with BLM program areas. You do not have to respond to this or any other Federal-agency sponsored information collection that does not display a currently valid OMB control number. We estimate that the survey will take 30 minutes to complete. You may direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspects of this survey to: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (1040-0001), Bureau Information Collection Clearance Officer (WO-630), 1849 C Street, NW, Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20240.

If you have any questions, please contact Steven Martin, at Humboldt State University, either by email [email protected] or by telephone (707-826-4147). Thank you very much for your help!

Study conducted by Humboldt State University

Department of Environmental Science and Management

1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521

Thanks again!

OMB control #1040-0001 Exp. 6/30/2015

1. Was visiting these BLM public lands the main reason for taking your trip?

_____ Yes

_____ No

2. How many people, including yourself, were in your group? _____

3. About how long did your visit last?

( ) less than 1 hour

( ) at least 1 hour to less than 2 hours

( ) at least 2 hours to less than 4 hours

( ) 4 hours or more

4. What type of overnight accommodation did you use while in the area? (please all that apply)

 I didn't stay overnight in the area

 I live locally and stayed in my own house/apt. or rental unit

 Camped on public lands (not in a campground)

 Camped in a public campground

 Hotel/motel/resort

 Bed and Breakfast

 Stayed with friends or relatives

 Commercial campground

 Other (specify) ____________

5. Which of the following information sources did you use for this trip? First, all the boxes that apply in column A, then  how helpful each information source was, if you used it.

	Column A: Yes, used	Not at all helpful	Slightly helpful	Moderately helpful	Very helpful
BLM brochures/maps
Non-BLM brochures/maps
Past personal experience
Friends/relatives
Travel books/guides/magazines
Outdoor magazines
Newspaper travel section
California Welcome Center
Visitor Center/Chamber
Internet
Signs/roadside displays
Rangers/BLM staff
Commercial Guides
Local business people
Travel club (AAA, etc.)
Other (specify)

6. Overall, how satisfied were you with your visit to this BLM public land area? (circle one)

Not at all Slightly Moderately Very Extremely

Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied

1 2 3 4 5

7. To what extent did each of the following contribute to your satisfaction while visiting these BLM public lands? (please check one box for each row)

	Did not contribute 1	Contributed slightly 2	Contributed some 3	Contributed moderately 4	Contributed greatly 5
a. the natural environment (e.g., beaches, bluffs)
b. cultural places (e.g., historic sites)
c. the companionship of the people in my group
d. the opportunity to think and reflect
e. convenient location and ease of access
f. physical and mental benefits
g. opportunity to develop skills and abilities
h. feeling that the site was safe to be in
i. feeling that my valuables (e.g., vehicle) were secure

8. We are interested in other recreation sites you visited as part of this outing. Please mark all the sites on the list below that you visited as part of this outing.

 Ma'lel Dunes North (USFWS)

 Ma’lel Dunes South (BLM)

 Moonstone Beach

 Little River Dunes State Park

 Clam Beach

 Mad River County Park

 Samoa Dunes

 Mike Thompson Wildlife Area/South Spit

 Headwaters Forest Reserve

 Lost Coast Headlands

 Centerville Beach County Park

 Other ___________________________________________________

9. Which activities did you participate in during the visit to BLM public lands, and how important was each activity to your decision to visit the area? Please check one response for each activity.

	This activity was a major reason for this trip	Participated, but not a major reason for this trip	Did not participate in this activity
ATV Riding
Auto Touring/Sightseeing
Four-Wheel Driving
Motorcycling: Dirt Bike
Attending Special Events
Picnicking
Social Gatherings
Mountain Biking
Road Biking
Hiking/Walking
Horseback Riding
Hunting
Running
Surfing
Paragliding
Photography
Dog Walking
Environmental Learning
Viewing Interpretive Exhibits
Watching Wildlife
Visit Historic Sites
Bird Watching
Canoeing/Kayaking
Fishing
Waterside Play/Sports
Surf Kayaking
Swimming
Write-In:

10. Next, please write in which activities from the previous list were your most satisfying activities for this visit.

1st _______________ 2nd _______________ 3rd _______________

11. Please estimate the number of other groups of people you saw during your visit to this BLM site.

________ groups

12. How often do you visit this location? (Where you were contacted for the study)

( ) 1 time per week or more

( ) 1-3 times per month

( ) Once every few months

( ) 1-2 times per year or fewer

( ) This is my first visit

13. Has the behavior of any other group or individual ever interfered with your enjoyment of the BLM recreation area where you were contacted for this study?

____ No ____ Yes

If Yes, please describe the group or individual activity that made your experience less enjoyable.

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14. Please indicate how important each of the following services was to you when you planned for and visited the BLM recreation area where you were contacted for this study. Then, using a school report card format, please grade the BLM with an A (excellent), B (above average or very good), C (average), D (below average or not very good), F (failing), or DK (don’t know) to let us know how well you think the BLM is managing the area with regard to each of these services.

	Very important	Important	Somewhat important	Not important	Grade for BLM
a. Signs have necessary information
b. Helpful directional signs to the area
c. Clean restrooms
d. Access roads in good condition
e. Adequate parking
f. BLM people in the area are friendly and courteous
g. BLM people in the area are professional and competent
h. Your vehicle is safe from the threat of vandalism
i. Managers notify you of natural hazards in the area
j. Opportunity for personal freedom without too many restrictions
k. Able to find a BLM person when needed
l. Brochures and maps clearly communicate information about recreation opportunities
m. Area rules and regulations are clearly communicated
n. Area rules and regulations are reasonable
o. The area is safe to visit

15. People recreate for a variety of reasons. Please indicate 1) how important each of the following were as reasons for your visit to the BLM recreation area where you were contacted, and 2) the extent to which you were able to obtain that experience.

Importance to you					Personal Benefit Outcomes	Able to Attain
Not at all important 1	Slightly important 2	Moderately important 3	Very important 4	Extremely important 5		Not at all attained 1	Slightly attained 2	Moderately attained 3	Mostly attained 4	Completely attained 5
					Developing your skills and abilities
					Enjoying the area’s wildlife, scenery, views and aesthetics
					Exploring on my/our own
					Enjoying risk-taking adventures
					Enjoying closeness to family/friends
					Enjoying group affiliation and togetherness
					Experiencing the natural surroundings
					Learning more about things here
					Getting some needed physical exercise
					Experiencing adventures and excitement
					Releasing or reducing some built- up mental tensions
					Escaping everyday responsibilities for a while
					Enjoying the solitude
					Enjoying frequent access to outdoor physical activity
					Being with others who enjoy the same things I do
					For the challenge or sport
					Reflecting on my character and personal values

16. Managers would like to know more about the personal benefits that are desired and attained by participating in recreation visits to BLM public lands. Please indicate 1) how desirable each of the following benefits is to you when making the decision to visit BLM public lands, and 2) the degree to which you were able to attain each benefit as a result of your recreation visit.

					Personal Benefit Outcomes
Not at all desirable 1	Slightly desirable 2	Moderately desirable 3	Very desirable 4	Extremely desirable 5		Not at all attained 1	Slightly attained 2	Moderately attained 3	Mostly attained 4	Completely attained 5
					Restored my mind from stress/tension/anxiety
					Improved physical fitness and health
					Enhance sense of personal freedom
					Improved sense of control over my life
					Greater self-confidence
					Living a more outdoor-oriented lifestyle
					Restored my body from fatigue
					Developing stronger ties with my family or friends
					Greater freedom from urban living
					Greater respect for private property and local lifestyles
					Closer relationship with natural world
					Greater understanding of the importance of nature to my quality of life
					Improved balance of work and play in my life
					Improved outdoor recreation skills
					Greater awareness of this community as a special place
					Increased opportunity for artistic expression

17. Managers would like to know more about the community, environmental and economic benefits that are desired and attained from participating in recreation visits to BLM public lands. Please indicate 1) how desirable each of the following benefits is to you, and 2) the degree to which you believe each of these benefits was attained by you as a result of your recreation visit.

					Community, Environmental, and Economic Benefit Outcomes
Not at all desirable 1	Slightly desirable 2	Moderately desirable 3	Very desirable 4	Extremely desirable 5		Not at all attained 1	Slightly attained 2	Moderately attained 3	Mostly attained 4	Completely attained 5
					Greater household awareness of and appreciation for our cultural heritage
					Increased desirability as a place to live or retire
					Strengthening relationships with family and friends
					Maintenance/preservation of distinctive community atmosphere
					Heightened sense of community pride and satisfaction
					Increased awareness and protection for natural landscapes
					Greater community ownership and stewardship of our public lands
					Greater protection of fish, wildlife, and plant habitat from growth, development, and public use impacts
					Increased work productivity
					Increased local tourism revenue
					Greater sense of safety in the area
					Reduced negative impacts such as litter, vegetative trampling, and unplanned trails

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire!

Are there any other issues that BLM managers need to address, or do you have any other

comments you would like to make about the area and its management?

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