Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Name

Forest and Conservation Science

Department or School/College

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Committee Co-chair

Jennifer M. Thomsen, Keith W. Bosak

Commitee Members

Elizabeth C. Metcalf, William L. Rice, Katrina Mullan, Kátia Torres Ribeiro

Keywords

Behavior, Beliefs, Brazil, Land managers, Outdoor recreation, Protected areas

Abstract

The growing demand for outdoor recreation (OR) in protected areas has led to positive and negative impacts on natural and social environments. As stewards of these areas, protected area professionals (PAPs) are responsible for planning and managing this complexity, and yet we know little about the factors influencing their decisions and actions. This study fills this gap by examining how psychological and organizational aspects influence PAPs’ decisions and behavioral intentions toward OR in protected areas. Insights come from the PAPs working at the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the Brazilian federal agency. ICMBio’s evolving approach toward OR provides a unique opportunity to assess the influence of PAPs in shaping OR. Using an interdisciplinary, mixed-method approach rooted in behavioral theories, this exploratory study includes data from 41 semi-structured interviews and an online survey (n = 330) with PAPs working across roles and locations at ICMBio. Results reveal the intricate interplay between psychological and organizational aspects shaping OR. The cultural shift within ICMBio, driven by evolving beliefs and structures, recursively shapes an OR organizational climate that fosters decisions and behaviors toward OR. To further understand what shapes PAPs’ intentions, a multi-dimensional measurement instrument was validated, reliably assessing five latent antecedents: past behaviors, two sets of OR beliefs, self-efficacy, and OR climate. Ordinary least squares regression revealed that past behavior, OR climate, and beliefs about OR as a conservation tool significantly influence intentions. This dissertation suggests that, although OR may not be a priority for ICMBio, its growing institutional prominence underscores the importance of empowering PAPs to champion OR initiatives, of crafting messages conceptualizing OR as a positive drive for conservation, and of fostering an organizational climate that supports and encourages PAPs to advance OR. By uncovering the multifaceted factors shaping PAPs’ decisions toward OR, this study offers insights into deep-rooted beliefs and barriers and facilitators to OR implementation. Embracing these insights, informed actions tailored to address the identified factors can bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation, enhancing policy efficacy, improving management capacity, fostering consistency in practices, and better equipping protected areas to meet the growing demand for OR.

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Available for download on Wednesday, August 19, 2026

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