Browsing by Author "Sinkular, Emily N."

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    Accessible birding in the United States: constraints to and facilitators of birding with disabilities
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A.; McGregor, Freya A.; Karns, Morgan J. (Taylor & Francis, 2024-03-26)
    While approximately one-quarter of the U.S. population has a disability, many people with disabilities remain excluded from equitable participation in birding. In this study, we compared the constraints and facilitators of birders with and without disabilities from a nationwide survey of U.S. wildlife viewers. Next, we analyzed open-ended responses in a survey of birders with disabilities to characterize constraints and facilitators using models of disabilities, or different frames of reference to understand disabilities. We found that birders with disabilities, compared to those without, experienced constraints to birding to a greater extent. However, birders with and without disabilities expressed interest in various facilitators (e.g. access to more high-quality birding locations, information about birding), suggesting that facilitators can benefit both groups. Birders invoked multiple models when describing their constraints to and facilitators of birding, highlighting a need for a multi-faceted approach to fostering greater levels of inclusivity in birding.
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    Arkansas Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (2022-11-29)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in Arkansas. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
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    Colorado Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pausley, Emma R.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-02-28)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in Colorado. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
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    A Comprehensive Overview of Environmental Education: Best Practices for Promoting Belonging, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (BEID) in Environmental Education
    Schmidt, Amelia R.; Sinkular, Emily N.; Holcombe, Brogan E.; Jennings, Kelsey K.; Theberge, Kaitlyn (Virginia Tech, 2022-11-30)
    Environmental education is the process of growing understanding, skills, and attitudes toward the environment in order to engage individuals in environmental problem-solving. Environmental education efforts were established in the early 1970s as environmental concerns were recognized. Historically, environmental education has not been equitable, inclusive, and diverse, especially in youth programs. Insufficient diversity in environmental education organizations and programs creates a diminished sense of belonging for underrepresented groups in environmental fields. To understand this history and consolidate current research, we conducted a comprehensive literature review on environmental education efforts to highlight common practices in environmental education to determine approaches that would best contribute to a heightened sense of belonging for all participants in environmental education programs. We examined the basics of environmental education–the historical perspectives, curricular aspects, and associated definitions–before moving on to look at the best practices–or instructional standards which contribute to positive results–for environmental education overall. After an in-depth analysis of these two aspects of environmental education, we identified five best practices for increasing belonging, inclusion, equity, and diversity (BEID) in environmental education. Based on the literature, environmental education programs can boost BEID by maintaining flexibility in lesson materials and facilitation, promoting valued instruction through relevant content, acknowledging barriers, performing varied evaluations, and facilitating mentorship opportunities. The practices consist of various instructional, cooperative, and social strategies to enhance already established instructional methods in environmental education so that BEID aspects are emphasized and established. Each of the five practices for BEID are rooted in the best practices for environmental education identified in the second step of our review. All in all, both of these best practice categories have the same core; the only difference is whether or not they are viewed through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These best practices for BEID tailor programs toward the target audience, making the material more applicable and engaging. A collective solution is required to mitigate modern environmental issues, and this can not occur if only one segment of the population is represented, thus, creating belonging in environmental education is crucial. 
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    Florida Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (2022-11-08)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report is the results from the survey in Florida. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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    Georgia Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2022-08-29)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
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    Idaho Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pausley, Emma R.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-03-17)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in Idaho. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Idaho Fish and Game.
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    Inclusion for disabled wildlife viewers: A literature review
    McGregor, Freya A.; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (2024-05)
    The Dayer Lab of Human Dimensions at Virginia Tech has been working closely with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group since 2020 to better understand wildlife viewers across the U.S., with the overarching goal of helping wildlife agencies better connect with their constituents in order to increase engagement with their agencies and support for conservation. In 2021, as part of this work, we conducted a national survey of wildlife viewers which had more than 4,000 respondents (http://hdl.handle.net/10919/111539) and found that 39% reported experiencing accessibility challenges while participating in wildlife viewing. If one in three wildlife viewers experience accessibility challenges, how can agencies ensure they are engaging and supporting wildlife viewers with disabilities? Disability is part of the human experience, but not much is known about disabled wildlife viewers. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA; 1990) states that Title II entities must ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all programs they offer. And yet, disabled wildlife viewers reported experiencing a wide range of barriers. This literature review was developed by an occupational therapist and two social scientists, all of whom identify as wildlife viewers with past or current experience with accessibility challenges when wildlife viewing due to disability or injury. This literature review provides a quick overview of published information about people with disabilities, wildlife viewing, and barriers to and facilitators of wildlife viewing for people with disabilities. It also collates best practices, based on the literature, to support the inclusion of disabled wildlife viewers.
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    Indiana Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2022-09-26)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
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    Kansas Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (2022-10-28)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
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    Minnesota Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Jennings, Kelsey K.; Karns, Morgan J.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (2022-10-18)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Program.
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    Missouri Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Karns, Morgan J.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-06-08)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in Missouri. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Missouri Department of Conservation.
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    Multi-State Wildlife Viewing Study: Literature Review
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Jennings, Kelsey K.; Dayer, Ashley A. (2021)
    Wildlife viewing (intentionally observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife) is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. Wildlife viewers are thus a critical constituency for wildlife agencies, especially given stable or declining rates of participation in hunting and angling over the past decade. However, viewers’ direct support of wildlife agencies is limited, perhaps due to perceptions about agency roles and priorities. This literature review – part of a larger study of wildlife viewers nationally conducted by the Dayer Human Dimensions Lab at Virginia Tech with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism working group – aimed to fill this knowledge gap. We focused on distilling insights that could aid agencies and organizations in better engaging wildlife viewers, ultimately helping agencies and organizations be more inclusive of and relevant to wildlife viewers, fulfill their missions, and advance fish and wildlife conservation. The literature review also informed the design of a national- and regional-scale survey of wildlife viewers conducted in summer 2021. This literature review was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program Grant # F21AP00617-00, which is jointly managed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
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    National and Regional Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing Relevancy and Engaging Support from a Broader Constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A.; Barnes, Jessica C.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Plante, Shelly; Jennings, Kelsey K.; Chaves, Willandia A. (Virginia Tech, 2022-08-17)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of fish and wildlife agencies. Wildlife viewers are those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife; and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife. To better understand wildlife viewers in the United States, the Dayer Lab at Virginia Tech in collaboration with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted a survey of more than 4,000 wildlife viewers nationwide. The study fills an important knowledge gap for wildlife agencies and illuminates how to better engage this broad constituency of wildlife recreationists, increasing agency relevancy to a wider array of people who enjoy the outdoors. Specifically, this report examines: viewing and conservation behaviors of wildlife viewers; past and likelihood of future financial contributions to state agencies; perceptions of state agencies and their management for wildlife viewers; how to build relevancy with a broader audience of wildlife viewers; comparisons of wildlife viewers across the four AFWA regions; participation of consumptive and nonconsumptive wildlife viewers; and more. This report also conducts additional analysis between consumptive (those that also participate in hunting and angling) and nonconsumptive wildlife viewers (those who do not), and compares wildlife viewers based on their “R3” stage (recruited, retained, churned, and reactivated). To illustrate tangible results from managing wildlife viewing, this report also incorporates seven case studies from state agencies demonstrating successful approaches to engaging wildlife viewers. Finally, this report concludes with five key recommendations for state agencies to increase engagement and relevancy with wildlife viewers. Researchers at Virginia Tech co-developed these recommendations based on insights from the study and co-production workshop with state agency staff at the 2022 Wildlife Viewer and Nature Tourism Academy. - Respond to demand for agencies to develop programs and services to engage viewers - Broaden constituency of state agencies through supporting viewing experiences of underserved groups - Develop financial support opportunities for viewers to contribute financially to state agencies - Support state agencies in implementing results - Conduct additional research to fill wildlife viewing information gaps For more information, please contact Emily Sinkular (sinkular@vt.edu) and Dr. Ashley Dayer (dayer@vt.edu). This project was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00), which is jointly managed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
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    New Mexico Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2022-07-18)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
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    North Carolina Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Karns, Morgan J.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-01-10)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in North Carolina. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
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    South Carolina Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-01-11)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in South Carolina. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
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    South Dakota Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Wolter, Faren; Dayer, Ashley A. (2022-12-06)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in South Dakota. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks.
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    Texas Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing relevancy and engaging support from a broader constituency
    Pototsky, P. Christy; Sinkular, Emily N.; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2022-09-28)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
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    Utah Results of the Wildlife Viewer Survey: Enhancing Relevancy and Engaging Support from a Broader Constituency
    Sinkular, Emily N.; Pausley, Emma R.; Pototsky, P. Christy; Dayer, Ashley A. (Virginia Tech, 2023-07-07)
    Wildlife viewing is among the fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in the United States, with significant implications for the work of wildlife agencies. While important insights have emerged piece-meal from a number of surveys, agencies lack generalizable information about wildlife viewers (those who intentionally observe, feed, or photograph wildlife; travel to parks, protected areas, or other natural spaces with the purpose of feeding, observing, or photographing wildlife, and those who maintain plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife) behaviors, experiences, perceptions, needs, and preferences. This information is essential for more meaningful and substantive engagement for state agencies with this often underserved constituency. Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This report contains results from the survey in Utah. This work was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Multistate Conservation Grant Program (grant # F21AP00617-00) and Utah Department of Natural Resources.