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HiltonSunitaC2002 cd.pdf (2.48 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Cultural Factors of Vistors' Understanding of U.S. National Park Service Natural Resource Management

Hilton, Sunita C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392111369

Abstract Details

2002, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Natural Resources.
Current trends in the demographic structure of the US population indicate increasing cultural diversity. Culturally-diverse populations have varying beliefs, views and understandings of natural resource use and management. This study concentrates on understanding how messages pertaining to natural resources concepts and associated management decisions are communicated to and received by culturally-diverse audiences. This is particularly relevant to land managing agencies, such as the US National Park Service (NPS), that rely on a high degree of public contact and support. Failure to consider cultural-diversity has the potential to interfere with this agency's success at communicating its mission and management decisions. The study took place in three US National Parks; Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim), Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Visitors were asked to complete an on-site anonymous questionnaire. Data were collected at various locations including trailheads, scenic overlooks, at visitor centers, and after interpretive programs. Total number of participants was 549, Grand Canyon National Park n = 156, Guadalupe Mountains National Park n = 153, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park n = 240. Results indicate that visitors were knowledgeable about the resources they were visiting. Visitors to NPS sites have achieved a high level of formal education. Certain aspects of culture, religion/spirituality seem to have a greater role in how visitors identify themselves, as opposed to ethnicity/cultural heritage. However when visitors are in a park they seem display similar cultural characteristics, which may come to the forefront while in the park setting as opposed to home setting. Methodological challenges of studying culture in a national park setting are also discussed.
Joe E. Heimlich (Advisor)
R. Paul Vellom (Committee Member)
Tomas M. Koontz (Committee Member)
346 p.
Natural Resource Management

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hilton, S. C. (2002). Cultural Factors of Vistors' Understanding of U.S. National Park Service Natural Resource Management [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392111369

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hilton, Sunita. Cultural Factors of Vistors' Understanding of U.S. National Park Service Natural Resource Management. 2002. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392111369.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hilton, Sunita. "Cultural Factors of Vistors' Understanding of U.S. National Park Service Natural Resource Management." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1392111369

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1392111369
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© 2002, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.