Leisure Studies Commons^™

Restoration Of Bison (Bison Bison) To Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, A Feasibility Study, Daniel S. Licht

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a 3,057-acre park located in western Nebraska. The unit is comprised of northern mixed-grass prairie vegetation, typical of the Northern Great Plains. Weather, fire, and grazing are generally considered to be the ecological drivers of prairie ecosystems and critical for prairie health. However, grazing has essentially been absent since the 1960s. In 2014, a Department of the Interior report explicitly listed the park as a high priority for bison restoration. This report evaluates the feasibility, management options, benefits, and challenges of restoring bison to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

A potential bison …

Montana Dragon Boat Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Montana Dragon Boat Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Montana Dragon Boat Festival.

An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival.

Water Quality Monitoring Protocol For Wadeable Streams And Rivers In The Northern Great Plains Network, Narrative Version 1.0, Marcia H. Wilson, Barbara L. Rowe, Robert A. Gitzen, Stephen K. Wilson, Kara J. Paintner-Green

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

Preserving the national parks unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations is a fundamental purpose of the National Park Service (NPS). To address growing concerns regarding the overall physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems, the NPS implemented science-based management through “Vital Signs” monitoring in 270 national parks (NPS 2007). The Northern Great Plains Network (NGPN) is among the 32 National Park Service Networks participating in this monitoring effort. The NGPN will develop protocols over the next several years to determine the overall health or condition of resources within 13 parks located in Nebraska, North …

Water Quality Monitoring Protocol For Wadeable Streams And Rivers In The Northern Great Plains Network, Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.0, Marcia H. Wilson, Stephen K. Wilson

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

The Water Quality Monitoring Protocol includes two parts: a Narrative and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Water Quality Monitoring Protocol Narrative Version 1.0 describes a general overview of the status of water resources throughout the parks in the National Park Service’s Northern Great Plains Network (NGPN), the objectives, the field methods, and the sampling design selected for this long-term monitoring program. This report includes the detailed SOPs for the NGPN’s Water Quality Monitoring Protocol. All water quality monitoring is conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through Interagency Agreements. The USGS North Dakota Water Science Center …

Mountain Madness Airshow: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Mountain Madness Airshow with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Mountain Madness Airshow.

Evel Knievel Days: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Evel Knievel Days with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent in Butte during the event. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Evel Knievel Days.

Montana Folk Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Montana Folk Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in Butte during the event. The population of interest was attendees of the 2014 Montana Folk Festival and the sample was random from that population. Surveys were given to festival goers by random selection so as to attempt to represent the whole population.

Sanders County Yard Sale: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Sanders County Yard Sale with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Sanders County Yard Sale.

Montana State High School Rodeo Finals: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the High School Rodeo Finals with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Montana State High School Rodeo Finals.

Missoula Urban Forest Interest Study 2014, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study was conducted for the Urban Forest Division of the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department for use and guidance in the Urban Forest Master Plan. Results show that Missoulians are profoundly supportive of public trees. Residents agree that their utilitarian purposes (e.g. shade, helping decrease pollution) are of value to the community. The aesthetic purposes tend to make their neighborhoods more enjoyable and Missoula a nicer place to live. Public trees provide a quality of life that Missoula residents appreciate. The majority of Missoula residents are willing to support the removal of hazardous trees, pruning, planting, and basic maintenance …

Connecting Children And Families To Nature, Dina Izenstark, Aaron Ebata

Faculty Publications

Although more municipal recreation agencies and schools have begun to develop and implement natural playscapes in their communities, there is little empirical evidence on the direct impact of this feature and how it has the potential to benefit children over traditional playgrounds. Researchers at the University of Illinois in the Department of Human and Community Development conducted a study to evaluate the Champaign County Forest Preserve’s new Homer Lake Natural Playscape between August and December 2012 using a mixed-methods research design. This entailed an onsite questionnaire (n=152) and one-on-one interviews (n=15) with parents and grandparents, as well as participant observations …

Spartan Race Visitor Study: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Spartan Race with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Spartan Race.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditures And Economic Contribution: 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the economic contributions, expenditures, and average daily spending of nonresident visitors to Montana during 2012.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditures And Economic Contribution: 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the economic contributions, expenditures, and average daily spending of nonresident visitors to Montana during 2013.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 2, 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the second quarter of 2013.

Montana Nonresident Visitation Trends: 2003-2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report displays the total number of individual nonresidents visiting Montana from 2003-2013. It also shows the total number of groups visiting Montana during the same time period.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Trends: 2003-2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the nonresident traveler expenditure trends for visitors of Montana from 2003-2013. It also displays the total actual expenditures and the total inflation-adjusted expenditures.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during 2013.

Expenditure Comparison Of Overseas, Canadian, And Domestic Nonresident Travelers To Montana:2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report gives a comparison of overseas, Canadian and domestic visitation and spending during 2013. It includes total expenditures and average daily spending in different spending categories.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 4, 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 3, 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the third quarter of 2013.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditure Profiles: Quarter 1, 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report examines spending profiles of nonresident travelers to Montana. It displays the average daily expenditures by purpose of trip for different spending categories during the first quarter of 2013.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Quarterly Travel Comparison: 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the 2013 quarterly visitation and length of stay data for nonresident travelers to Montana. It also displays average daily spending for various expenditure categories, as well as total expenditures for those categories.

Comparative Analysis Of Resident And Visitor Community Image: Gardiner, Montana, Norma P. Nickerson, Meredith S. Berry

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research conducted two separate studies related to the perception and image of Gardiner during 2013: Resident image and nonresident image. The resident study focused on image and quality of life as perceived by those currently living in Gardiner. That study found areas of improvements as well as what they like about their community. The nonresident study found that visitors were mostly positive about the image Gardiner portrays to the visitor and shows the amount of dollars spent in Gardiner. The purpose of this report was to compare the 18 image variables asked in both …

Plant Community Composition And Structure Monitoring For Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, 2013 Annual Report, Isabel W. Ashton, Michael Prowatzke

United States National Park Service: Publications

Introduction

During the last century, much of the prairie within the Northern Great Plains has been plowed for cropland, planted with non-natives to maximize livestock production, or otherwise developed, making it one of the most threatened ecosystems in the United States. Within Nebraska, greater than 77% of the area of native mixed-grass prairie has been lost since European settlement (Samson and Knopf 1994). The National Park Service (NPS) plays an important role in preserving and restoring some of the last pieces of intact prairies within its boundaries. The stewardship goal of the NPS is to “preserve ecological integrity and cultural …

Travel And Recreation: The Economics Of "We Like It Here!", Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Outlook for 2014 and Review of 2013.

Statewide Nonresident Travel Survey: Survey Methods And Data Analysis, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The Statewide Nonresident Travel Survey is conducted throughout Montana, and the resulting data are analyzed and made available to the public on the ITRR website on a quarterly basis. Statewide visitation and traveler spending estimates, as well as an analysis of the contribution of nonresident travel to Montana's economy, are published annually. This research note provides information regarding the survey methods and data analysis process.

Gardiner, Mt - Visitor Perceptions, Image, And Spending, 2013, Meredith S. Berry, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study assesses the image and perceptions of Gardiner by visitors as well as their reasons for visiting Gardiner and spending patterns within the town. Visitors to Gardiner were primarily in the town to eat and drink, shop, drive through and get fuel; average daily spending was $178. Visitors, both in open-ended and structured responses noted that Gardiner was a friendly and welcoming community, and a fun place. Respondents also believed, however, that there was room for improvement with services available such as food and shopping opportunities. Visitors have many opinions about Gardiner, some positive and some negative. Gardiner is …

Analysis Of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs And Opportunities For Montana, Norma P. Nickerson, Jake Jorgenson, Meredith Berry, Jane Kwenye

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to understand the niche market of touring cyclists and to examine the potential for cycle tourism in the state of Montana. Results indicate a strong potential for cycle tourism in the state of Montana. Multi-day cyclists are generally satisfied while in Montana, but improvements are needed. Touring cyclists fit directly in line with Montana’s geotourism marketing brand pillars.