Greater Yellowstone Wildlife Approach On-site Interviews

OMB Control Number 1024-0224

Expiration Date: XX/XX/XXXX

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Wildlife Approach Interviews

PAPERWORK REDUCTION and PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT: The Paperwork Reduction Act requires us to tell you why we are collecting this information, how we will use it, and whether or not you have to respond. We are authorized by the National Park Service Protection Interpretation and Research in System (54 USC §100702) to collect this information. The routine uses of this information will help park managers understand how emotional experiences during human-wildlife interactions could be incorporated into management decisions to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Your responses to this collection are completely voluntary and will remain anonymous.  You can end the process at any time and will not be penalized in any way for choosing to do so. Your participation poses only minimal risks. Data collected will only be reported in aggregates and no individually identifiable responses will be reported.  A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number (1024-0224).

BURDEN STATEMENT We estimate that it will take no longer than 15 minutes to complete a series of questions that will be recorded as an interview. You may send comments concerning the burden estimates or any aspect of this information collection to: Jennifer Newton, Grand Teton National Park at [email protected]; or Phadrea Ponds NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer at [email protected].

Script for approaching visitors:

“Excuse me, my name is __________. I am conducting a short interview to help (YELL or GRTE) managers understand visitor experience here at [INSERT STUDY LOCATION HERE] with wildlife. Your participation is voluntary and your responses will be anonymous. The interview should take about 15 minutes to complete. Are you 18 years or older and willing to participate?”

 If NO:

• “Are you a first-time visitor to this park?”

• “On this visit to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE], have you seen [INSERT BISON OR ELK]?

• “Are you aware of any park communications regarding the recommended distance individuals should stay away from [INSERT BISON OR ELK]?”

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you enjoy your visit.”

 If YES: “I’d like to ask you a series of questions about your experiences in the park today. Will it be OK with you if I were to record our conversation so I can share this information with the Park staff later?

If NO:

• ““Are you a first-time visitor to this park?”

• “On this visit to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE], have you seen [INSERT BISON OR ELK]?

• “Are you aware of any park communications regarding the recommended distance individuals should stay away from [INSERT BISON OR ELK]?”

 If YES: “Are you just starting your visit to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE]?” “Okay, thank you for your time, but we are seeking visitors that have already experienced the area. Have a wonderful time in [INSERT PARK NAME HERE].”

 If ENDING: “Excellent, we will begin the interview now.”

If just STARTING: “Okay, thank you for your time, but we are seeking visitors that have already experienced the area. Have a wonderful time in [INSERT PARK NAME HERE].”

General Park Visit Information

First, we would like to know a little bit about your trip to [INSERT either YELLOWSTONE or GRAND TETON].

1. Is this your first time visiting [INSERT PARK NAME HERE]?

2. Including this visit, how many times have you visited [INSERT PARK NAME HERE]?

3. During this trip, how many nights have you stayed in [INSERT PARK NAME HERE] or the surrounding area outside the park thus far?

4. Before this trip to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE], have you ever encountered any [INSERT BISON or ELK]? (PROBE: If yes, how many encounters?)

5. On this visit to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE], how many encounters with [INSERT BISON or ELK] have you had?

Defining Awe Experiences Specific to Wildlife Viewing

Next, we are interested in how you felt about the wildlife viewing experience you just had.

6. What was the first thing you thought when you saw the [INSERT ANIMAL SPECIES HERE]? (PROBE: How did this wildlife viewing experience affect you? Was it what you expected?)

7. How would you describe your feelings? (PROBE: What are other times when you have had similar feelings?)

8. “What does the term “awe” mean to you? (PROBE: have you experienced awe on this trip to [INSERT PARK NAME HERE]?)

9. When you were there, did you think people were getting too close to animals? (PROBE: Did you feel drawn in? Were other people drawn in?)

10. Are you aware of any park communications regarding the recommended distance individuals should be from [INSERT BISON or ELK HERE]? (PROBE: If YES, how far is the recommended distance?)

Demographics

Finally, we’d like to know a little bit more about you and your group.

11. How would you best describe the group you are with today? (For example, are you with your family, friends, tour, etc.?) (PROBE: How many people were in your group, including you?)

12. What year were you born?

13. What is your gender?

14. Which is the primary language do you and members of your personal group use to communicate with each other?

15. Are you a permanent resident or citizen of the United States?

1. If NO, what is your country of origin?

2. If YES, what is your primary zip code?

Before we end, is there anything else that you or your group would like to share with us? Or any other comments you would like to add regarding what we chatted about today?

Thank you very much for your time!

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