Form 0596-0226 Leave No Trace Survey

USFS Region 2 – Leave No Trace Assessment Survey

OMB No. 0596-0226

USFS Region 2 – Leave No Trace Assessment Survey

Consent script:

Thank you for participating in this survey. It is intended for land managers and key stakeholders who are interested in developing and implementing locally-tailored and modern Leave No Trace programming to address current and emerging outdoor recreation-related impacts (e.g. campfire impacts, wildlife impacts, pollution of water sources, etc.) found on public lands in USDA Forest Service Region 2.

NOTE: For the purposes of this survey, the USDA Forest Service “Region 2” refers to the national forests and grasslands in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska.

The data will help gain a broader understanding of outdoor recreation-related resource impacts throughout the region, the effectiveness of outdoor user ethics education efforts, and opportunities for engaging visitors. Specifically, this assessment will provide baseline perceptions of recreation resource conditions, perceptions of impacts, and potential solutions. It will also asses and analyze emerging education opportunities throughout the region.

The data from this assessment will not be disseminated to the general public, nor will it be used for the purposes of substantially informing influential policy decisions.

Your participation is voluntary and your responses are confidential. You can stop taking the survey at any time, and there are no risks or benefits for participation. This survey will take approximately 9 minutes to complete.

For information or questions about this survey, please contact Ben Lawhon, Director of Education and Research, Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics [email protected] or Chad Schneckenburger, R2 Regional Trails and Dispersed Recreation Program Manager [email protected]

Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.  The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0596-0226.  The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 9 minutes per response, including the time for initial contact, reviewing instructions, and completing this survey.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

1) Please select what you believe are the five most popular outdoor recreational uses in Region 2

 ATV/OHV use (including jeeps, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, XSX, etc.)

 Backcountry skiing/snowboarding

 Backpacking

 Birding

 Bouldering

 Camping in developed sites (designated campgrounds)

 Cross-country skiing

 Downhill skiing/snowboarding

 Driving for pleasure/sightseeing

 Dispersed camping (not in developed campgrounds)

 Equestrian/stock use

 Flatwater canoeing

 Flatwater kayaking

 Forest bathing

 Freshwater angling

 Gathering food/forest products

 Gathering traditional medicine

 Geocaching

 Hammock use

 Hiking/walking

 Hunting

 Motorized boating

 Mountain biking

 Nature center activities

 Nature photography

 Nature study

 Outdoor games (bocce, frisbee, etc.)

 Picnicking

 Resort use

 Road cycling

 Rock climbing

 Running (road)

 Running (trail)

 RV camping in developed sites (designated campgrounds)

 RV camping with toy hauler(s) in developed sites

 RV dispersed camping (not in developed campgrounds)

 RV dispersed camping with toy hauler(s)

 Shed/antler hunting

 Shooting sports

 Slacklining

 Sledding

 Snowmobiling

 Snowshoeing

 Stand up paddle boarding

 Swimming

 Visiting historic or cultural sites

 Waterskiing

 Wakeboarding

 Whitewater paddling (kayaking, rafting, canoeing)

 Wildlife watching

 Other: 

2) Rate your perception of the level of impact of following outdoor recreation-related impacts in Region 2:

	No Impact	Slight Impact	Moderate Impact	Extensive Impact	Severe Impact	Unsure
Damage to vegetation
Trash
Visitor conflicts
Inappropriate use of technology (GPS, drones, etc.)
Invasive species
Improper disposal of human waste
Public safety issues
	No Impact	Slight Impact	Moderate Impact	Extensive Impact	Severe Impact	Unsure
Pet waste/ management
Pollution of water sources
Damage to cultural or historical features
Campfire impacts
Impacts to wildlife
Trail impacts (erosion, cut switchbacks, trail widening, etc.)
ATV/OHV impacts
Jeep/4x4 impacts
Motorized dirt bikes impacts
Off trail travel damage
	No Impact	Slight Impact	Moderate Impact	Extensive Impact	Severe Impact	Unsure
Mountain bike impacts
Stock (horse, mule, llama, etc.) impacts
Dispersed camping
Dispersed shooting
Increased visitation due to social media
Parking issues at recreation sites

3) Are there other outdoor recreation-related impacts of concern in Region 2 not listed above? [write-in]

4) Does your agency, organization, or business work to address outdoor recreation-related impacts in Region 2?

If YES, question #5 & #6 appear.

 

If NO, skip to question #7. 

DISPLAY LOGIC: 

5) How does your agency, organization, or business work to address outdoor recreation-related impacts in Region 2?

	Currently in use	Used in the past	Never used
Interpretive programs
Law enforcement
Leave No Trace information
Limiting access
Permit system
Printed educational materials
Provide information via website(s)
Signage/kiosks
Staff training
Issuing citations
Visitor/traveler education
Volunteer programs
Youth education
Area closures
	Currently in use	Used in the past	Never used
Public outreach
Provide information via social media
Other (write-in)

6) Please rate how effective you think each outreach mechanism is for addressing outdoor recreation-related impacts in Region 2.

	Not at all effective	Slightly effective	Moderately effective	Very effective	Extremely effective	Unsure
Interpretive programs
Law enforcement
Leave No Trace information
Limiting access
Permit system
Printed educational materials
	Not at all effective	Slightly effective	Moderately effective	Very effective	Extremely effective	Unsure
Provide information via website
Signage/kiosks
Staff training
Issuing citations
Visitor/traveler education
Volunteer programs
Youth education
Area closures
Public outreach
Provide information via social media

7) To what extent is Leave No Trace information currently utilized to address outdoor recreation-related impacts in Region 2?

 Never used     

 Almost never used     

 Used occasionally       

 Used most of the time         

 Used extensively        

 I don't know

8) How familiar are you with the typical Region 2 out-of-state visitor (visitors from states outside of the 5 states in Region 2) to Forest Service lands? 

 Not at all familiar

 Slightly familiar

 Somewhat familiar

 Moderately familiar

 Extremely familiar

 Other - Write In: 

9) How familiar are you with the typical Region 2 in-state visitor (visitors from the five states that make up Region 2) to Forest Service lands? 

 Not at all familiar

 Slightly familiar

 Somewhat familiar

 Moderately familiar

 Extremely familiar

 Other - Write In: 

10) How would you describe your current knowledge of “Leave No Trace” practices?

• No knowledge

• Limited

• Average

• Extensive

• Expert

If “Limited” or greater knowledge, questions #11 - 14 appear.

 

If “No knowledge,” skip to question #15. 

DISPLAY LOGIC: 

We’re interested in your views on practicing “Leave No Trace.”

11) Sometimes it is too difficult to practice “Leave No Trace.”

• Strongly disagree

• Disagree

• Neither agree or disagree

• Agree

• Strongly agree

12) Practicing “Leave No Trace” effectively protects the environment for future generations to enjoy.

• Strongly disagree

• Disagree

• Neither agree or disagree

• Agree

• Strongly agree

13) It is important that all visitors to/in Region 2 practice “Leave No Trace.”

• Strongly disagree

• Disagree

• Neither agree or disagree

• Agree

• Strongly agree

14) It is important that public land regulations require all visitors to practice “Leave No Trace.”

• Strongly disagree

• Disagree

• Neither agree or disagree

• Agree

• Strongly agree

15) What should be the goals for developing a regionally-tailored Leave No Trace program in Region 2? [write-in]

16) Does your agency, organization, or business currently have staff trained in Leave No Trace?

 Yes

 No

 Not sure

 Other - Write In: 

If YES, question #17 appears.

 

If NO, skip to question #18. 

DISPLAY LOGIC: 

17) What is the level of staff Leave No Trace training? Check all that apply. 

 Master Educator

 Trainer

 Awareness

 Not sure

18) How would you envision Leave No Trace information being disseminated to Region 2 visitors/travelers? Check all that apply. 

 Social media

 Print media

 Website

 Chambers of Commerce

 Local user groups (e.g. hiking club)

 Local merchants

 Volunteers

 Signage

 Maps

 Guidebooks

 Other printed materials

 Agency staff

 Volunteers

 Non-governmental organization

 Destination marketing organizations

 State Dept. of Transportation digital road signage

 Public Service Announcements (radio, print, etc.)

 Outdoor brands

 Hospitality staff

 Visitor Centers

 Other - Write In: 

19) What type of agency, organization or business do you work or volunteer for? 

• State agency

• Federal agency

• Non-governmental organization

• Municipal government

• Business

• Tourism entity/provider

• Trail organization or club

• College or university

• Destination marketing organization

• Hospitality business

• Other - Write In: 

20) What state in Region 2 do you work or volunteer in most often?

• Colorado

• Kansas

• Nebraska

• South Dakota

• Wyoming

21) What are 3-5 current outdoor recreation-related opportunities in Region 2 for improved visitor education/information? [write-in] 

Opportunity: 

Opportunity: 

Opportunity: 

Opportunity: 

Opportunity:

22) Are their specific outdoor recreation-related impacts on national forests in your state that present an immediate opportunity for visitor education/information?

• Yes

• No

• Not sure

If YES, question #23 appears.

If NO, skip to question #24. 

DISPLAY LOGIC: 

23) Please list the specific outdoor recreation-related impacts on national forests in your state that present an immediate opportunity for visitor education/information. [write-in]

24) Please list any additional comments or feedback regarding Leave No Trace visitor education efforts in Region 2.

 

 

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