Visitors’ Climate Change Beliefs & Perceptions of Climate-Sensitive Resources at Great Sand Dunes National Park

Ecological consequences associated with climate change are becoming increasingly noticeable in nature-based recreation areas. Research is therefore needed to better understand nature-based recreationists’ perceptions of, attitudes towards, and behavioral responses to climate change and resource impacts in parks. This study explored strategies for assessing and responding to visitor perceptions of climate change at Great Sand Dunes National Park (GRSA), Colorado. In the summer of 2011, researchers intercepted visitors at GRSD and invited them to complete an online questionnaire. Visitors reported strong beliefs that global climate change was currently happening, but less certainty regarding the belief that human activities are influencing climate. Studies such as this may provide information for interpreters and park staff regarding climate change, and increase visitors’ understanding of climate change. Future research could expand upon this exploratory study in an effort to inform resource management decisions and develop targeted climate change visitor education programs. 1.0 Introduction Ecological consequences associated with climate change (e.g., speed of glacial recession, unprecedented storms and flooding, habitat range shifts) are becoming increasingly noticeable in nature-based recreation areas (Brownlee, 2012; NPCA, 2009). Collectively, these climate change impacts are beginning to affect the quality and enjoyment of park visitation experiences (Hall & Higham, 2005; Richardson & Loomis, 2005). For example, studies have revealed that weather often ranks high or highest among variables most important to outdoor recreationists (e.g., Hallo & Manning, 2009; Hallo, Manning, & Stokowski, 2009). Many resources used and enjoyed by park visitors are also weather and climate dependent. For instance, glaciers are a central feature at several frequently visited national parks (e.g., Kenai Fjords National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and Glacier National Park). Similarly, rare species such as the Joshua tree at Joshua Tree National Park are endemic to certain climate zones within protected areas (Somerville, 1999). Climate can also influence fire regimes, pest infestations, and visitor facilities or attractions, and may ultimately affect visitation levels and visitor satisfaction (NPCA, 2009). With climate-related impacts expected to increase in future years (IPCC, 2009; NPCA, 2009; CCRP, 2010), concerns regarding climate-mediated effects on nature-based recreation will continue to rise (Stedman, Davidson, & Wellstead, 2005; Toth & Hizsnyik, 2008). Research is therefore needed to better understand nature-based recreationists’ perceptions of, attitudes towards, and behavioral responses to climate change and resource impacts in parks (Manning, 2011). Despite the potentially valuable contributions of social science data in natural resource managers’ attempts to develop appropriate and effective strategies for eliciting public support, informing policy and planning decisions, and mitigating impacts on climatesensitive resources (Semenza et al., 2008; Toth & Hizsnyik, 2008), researchers have noted that few investigations have explicitly accounted for perceptions of climate change and its perceived impacts (Buzinde, Manuel-Navarrette, Yoo, & Morais, 2010; Gossling, Scott, Hall, Ceron, & Dubois, 2012; Hall & Lew, 2009; Scott, Jones, & Konopek, 2008). Without adequate data regarding visitor perceptions and the effects of park-based climate change education and outreach on these perceptions, managers are missing a fundamental step in the provision of high quality outdoor recreation and environmental education experiences (Brownlee, Powell, & Hallo, 2012). In U.S. national parks and protected areas, research integrating biophysical changes and social responses is especially relevant. Although the National Park Service (NPS) aims to educate visitors about global climate change and impacts, most park managers lack information about public awareness and perceptions (CCRS, 2010). Because effective environmental education relies on knowledge of pre-existing beliefs about a specific topic (Knudson, Beck, & Cable, 2003), managers need to develop a better understanding of the complex factors influencing visitors’ opinions regarding climate change (Brownlee & Leong, 2011). Documented variations in visitor perceptions across geographic regions suggest that park managers and decision-makers should also recognize the value of site-specific information regarding climate change beliefs (Hulme, 2009). This study attempted to synthesize all of these research needs to explore strategies for assessing and responding to visitor perceptions of climate change at Great Sand Dunes National Park (GRSA), Colorado a site that protects climate-sensitive resources and educates visitors about these features.