Obstacles To Visitation of Natural Areas and Programs Started To Bridge Participation Barriers

By: Patrick T. Tierney Ph.D. and Rene F. Dahl Ph.D., San Francisco State University; and Deborah Chavez, U.S. Forest Service

PRESENTATION AT; 1999 BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH PEACE, CULTURE AND PROSPERITY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

  Visitation To Natural Areas In The USA

National and state parks, forests and other relatively undeveloped natural areas (NA)

Some of the most popular tourist attractions

Visitation has increased for past 25 years

Overcrowding is a problem at many

Resource managers know who visits

It is assumed that everyone visits

But managers often know little about who does not visit

Do not know reasons for non-visitation

Too busy keeping up with day-to-day issues

Research is needed on non-visitors

Recent studies show large segments of public don’t visit NA’s

Research described later, found only 38% visited in summer

Non-visitors often from ethnic communities

 

Future protection and funding for NA’s depends on broad support by public

Growing ethnic populations will greatly change composition of America

Support of ethnic communities is needed

Public NA’s should be for all

NA’s should be relevant to all the public

ARE THERE ISSUES OF:

Lost connection with nature

Social justice

Ethnic tension

A lack of interest

Difficult access

Poor communications

LA selected because diverse population, NAs nearby with low fees

868 completed telephone interviews

Sample of 4 ethnic groups; White, Asian, Black and Hispanic

Over-sampled ethnic groups composing lower percentage of population

 

Did they visit a natural area during summer

Natural areas defined as:

- Being outside of cities

- Mostly natural landscape

- May have some facilities (camping, roads)

Constraints to visitation

 

 

Who Were The Respondents

Ethnicity

- 31% Hispanic

- 31% White Non-Hispanic

- 21% Black

- 17% Asian

49% ages 18-34

65% less than $50,000/yr (avg in LA- $50k)

 

Findings On Visitation

38.5% Visited NA

30.5% Took leisure trip, but did NOT visit NA

31.0% Did not take a leisure trip

A total of 61% did not visit a natural area

 

Likelihood of Visitation To NA

Ethnic Group % Visited NA

White 43.6 %

Asian 33.8

Hispanic 27.2

Black 20.7

 

6 Factors Impacting Visitation

After statistically adjusting for differences in respondent income, ed, ethnicity, citizenship, discrimination and feeling welcome

Asian, Hispanic & White respondents equally likely to visit

Blacks where much less likely to visit NA

Education level best predictor of visitation

 

Most Limiting Constraints and Differences For Non-Visitors

Did Not Visit (Significant Differences From Total)

Lack of free time

Lack of money

More NA workers of my ethnicity

Discrimination

Don’t feel welcome

 

Total Sample (Most> Least)

Lack of free time

No travel companions

Nearby NAs too crowded

Lack of money

Lack info on things to do and where to go

 

1998 Conference On Ethnic Communities and Nat’l Park Use

OUTCOMES

Great deal of interest in visiting

Parks are not telling my ethnic groups story

If mentioned, then often miss-portrayed

A Eurocentric filter

Parks lack relevance to my ethnic group

Need more workers of my ethnicity

 

Examples Of Programs To Address NA Non-Visitation

Wonderful Outdoor World (WOW)

Community Partnerships

Fishing In the City

Eco-Teams

FamCamp

 

Wonderful Outdoor World

PARTNERS - Los Angeles Recreation Dept., Disney & other companies, resource agencies

GOALS - Increase interest in outdoor recreation and participants learn environmental info.

ACTIVITIES - Provide inner city children 9-12 with camping experience in LA park; counselors assist & deliver environmental messages; give books, some outdoor gear

 

Fishing In The City

PARTNERS - CA Dept. of Fish and Game, Shakespeare Fishing Equipment

GOALS - Increase access and participation in fishing for diverse urban residents

ACTIVITIES - Stocks fish in city lakes or where no lakes, in swimming pools; free fishing clinics and use of fishing gear; outreach to ethnic organizations; multi-lingual publications and signs

 

National Parks Community Partnerships Program

PARTNERS - Nat’l Park Service and Nat’l Parks & Conservation Association

GOALS - Create systemic change in NPS; include diverse voices in planning, programs, and messages; increase access

ACTIVITIES - Create 6 city task forces to: Make non-English materials; diversify stories told at parks; develop hiring programs for ethnic members; include ethnic communities in park planning

 

Eco-Team Program

PARTNERS - U.S. Forest Service and non-profit California Environmental Project

GOALS - Deliver environmental & resource use messages to diverse groups; reduce land impacts; increase 2-way communications

ACTIVITIES - Recruit, train, employ inner city young adults to work in Nat’l Forests; members meet users in forests, give info on regulations, opportunities, land ethics

 

California Youth Skiing Program

PARTNERS - California Ski Industry Assoc. and schools in California

GOALS - Increase interest and participation in skiing and snowboarding

ACTIVITIES - Provide all 11 yr old school children in CA with free 1 day equipment rental and lesson. School district provides transportation and lunch.

 

FamCamp Program

PARTNERS - California State Parks Dept., universities in CA and community groups

GOALS - Introduce camping to families who lack opportunities; increase park visitation

ACTIVITIES - Provides camping gear, guide, and campsite in nearby park; works with community group who provides transportation and food.

 

FamCamp Is Successful Because It Addresses These Barriers

Lack of companions to visit NA

More workers of my ethnicity

Feel unwelcome

Wrong messages

Don’t know what to do

Lack transportation

Lack relevance to my ethnic group

Lack of money

 

Partnerships Are Important

Working within ethnic communities

Work with established ethnic organizations

Pool resources to make better programs

Can’t do it alone