Winter visitors to Yellowstone National Park, their value orientations and support for management actions

Authors

William T. Borrie, University of Montana - MissoulaFollow
Wayne A. Freimund, University of Montana - MissoulaFollow
Mae A. Davenport, University of Montana - MissoulaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Human Ecology Review

Publication Date

2002

Volume

9

Issue

2

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences | Tourism

Abstract

The idea of a National Park contains a diversity of values and missions. This paper takes a multi-dimensional, context- specific approach to measuring the perceived values of Yellowstone National Park. It is an initial step in recording how perceptions of National Parks are changing over time. Responses of 1064 winter visitors to 24 park value items were factor and cluster analyzed to produce four groups. Examination of the relationship between cluster membership and support / opposition to a variety of management actions showed significant differences for all 19 proposed actions. Groups of visitors with different value orientations showed correspondingly different levels of support for management actions. The National Park Service (and other natural resource agencies) can, therefore, expect to encounter and manage for a diversity of perceived values and conflicting attitudes towards park management and planning.

Keywords

parks, value orientations, attitudes, park management

Recommended Citation

Borrie, William T.; Freimund, Wayne A.; and Davenport, Mae A., "Winter visitors to Yellowstone National Park, their value orientations and support for management actions" (2002). Society and Conservation Faculty Publications. 14.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/soccon_pubs/14