Reply to: Date: 24 July 1996

Transcription

1 Reply to: Date: 24 July 1996 Subject: To: Education/Training Needs Assessment Survey Survey Participants As promised, enclosed is a summary of the results from the Needs Assessment Survey conducted by the Interagency Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center earlier this year. The information you provided will help us fulfill our mission to, Foster interagency excellence in wilderness stewardship by cultivating knowledgeable, skilled and capable wilderness managers and by improving public understanding of wilderness philosophy, values and processes. The survey was completed by 840 managers (line officers) and staff from the four agencies managing wilderness or wilderness study areas. have already been presented to our Steering Committee and are being used to define our program of work for fiscal 1997 and beyond. This will help ensure that we do a quality job of meeting your wilderness training and education needs. If you have any questions about the survey results or the Carhart Center, call me or your agency representative at Richard Conrad - Bureau of Land Management Bill West - Fish & Wildlife Service Chris Ryan/Ralph Swain - Forest Service Greg Kroll - National Park Service Thank you for your participation. Your efforts will help ensure an enduring resource of Wilderness. CONNIE G. MYERS Director The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value. Theodore Roosevelt

2 SUMMARY Education / Training Needs Assessment Survey Conducted by: Interagency Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center Introduction A survey was conducted in the winter of 1996 to identity wilderness / wilderness study area management issues, training needs, and educational outreach needs. A total of 1,704 surveys were sent to 893 offices of the four agencies that manage the National Wilderness Preservation System. Two surveys were mailed to each office, one to the manager (line officer) and one to the staff person most responsible for wilderness or wilderness study area management. Of the 893 offices surveyed, 575 (64%) responded. Of the 1,704 surveys sent, 840 (49%) were returned. Figure I shows the percent of the total response by agency. Following is a summary of the results of that survey. General Issues - Each respondent was asked to identify their top three wilderness issues. The responses were first categorized into broad general issues, then into specific issues. For all four agencies combined Recreation was the number one general issue, followed by Administration, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities. (see Table I) When each agency is viewed seperately, only Administration ranks in the top three general issues for all four agencies. Recreation, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities all rank in the top five. (see Table II) BLM - 18% (152) F&W - 14% (118) Figure I Percent of the Total Response by Agency (Total Return = 840) NPS - 10% (84) Table I Issues by General Category For All Four Agencies Combined 1. Recreation 2. Administration 3. Special Provisions 4. Illegal Activities 5. Fire 6. General/Misc. 7. Public Education 8. Fish & Wildlife 9. Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air 11. Plants 12. Legislation 13. Cultural FS - 58% (486) TABLE II - Issues by General Category For Each Agency 1. Recreation Recreation Administration Recreation 2. Administration Special Provisions Illegal Activities Administration 3. Fire Administration Special Provisions Special Provisions 4. Special Provisions Illegal Activities Recreation General/Misc. 5. Illegal Activities Fish & Wildlife Land Uses Illegal Activities 6. Public Education Soil/Water/Air Legislation Fire 7. General/Misc. Fire General/Misc. Soil/Water/Air 8. Fish & Wildlife General/Misc. Public Education Public Education 9. Land Uses Public Education Fire Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Fish & Wildlife Legislation 11. Plants Plants Soil/Water/Air Fish & Wildlife 12. Legislation Legislation Plants Plants 13. Cultural Cultural Cultural Cultural

3 Specific Issues - The number one specific issue for the four agencies combined was Recreation over use. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) was next, followed by Prescribed Natural Fire (PNF), lack of Funding, Grazing, and Trails. There were no specific issues common to all four agencies that rated high.. Over Use and PNF were high for all the agencies except the BLM. OHVs was high for every agency except the NPS, and Grazing was high for every agency except the F&W. (see Table III) TABLE III - The Top Specific Issues For Each Agency 1.Over Use Over Use OHVs Planning 2.PNF PNF Grazing Over Use 3. $ Air Quality IMP Visitor Management 4. Trails Adjacent Land Legislation Overflights 5. O&G OHVs Access Trails 6. OHVs Management Inholdings PNF Information &Training Topics - The information &training topics that would be most beneficial in managing wilderness/ wilderness study areas were also coded first into broad general categories and then into specific topics. For all the agencies combined Administration was the number one genreal category information & training topic followed by Recreation, and Public Education. The number one specific information & training need for all the agencies combined was Planning, followed by Leave No Trace (LNT), Public Education/awareness, Management, Over Use and PNF. Only Planning and Management were rated high for each of the four agencies when looked at seperatley. (see Table IV) TABLE IV - The Top Specific Information & Training Needs 1. LNT Policy & Regs Planning Planning 2. Pub Ed/aware Management Management Pub Ed/aware 3. Planning Pub Ed/aware IMP LNT 4. Over Use Legislation /W. Act LNT Management 5. PNF Planning Monitoring Training 6. Management Over Use Restoration Over Use The top three groups that would benefit most from the training were identified as Managers first, then wilderness staff and receptionist. (see Graph I) % 25 Person That Would Benefit Most From Training (All Agencies) Manager Wilderness/Recreation Staff Seasonal Wilderness Ranger Receptionist Fire Staff Wildlife Staff All Multi-Displinary Staff Wilderness education materials and programs - Wilderness Awareness & Values was the number one public education outreach need identified by the four agencies combined, followed by Leave No Trace/minimum impact/user ethics. The General Public was identified as the number one audience that would benefit from wilderness education outreach. Next was Hunter/Fishermen, followed very closely by Organizations, Schools, Outfitter & Guides and Day Users. Audiences did vary considerably between agencies. Seasonal Project Crews Seasonal Technicians Law Enforcement Range Staff Conclusion - The most obvious observation that can be drawn from this analysis is that the four agencies have many similarities, but they also have many differences! For a complete copy of the full report contact the Carhart Center ( ).

4 SUMMARY Education / Training Needs Assessment Survey Conducted by: Interagency Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center Introduction A survey was conducted in the winter of 1996 to identity wilderness /wilderness study area management issues, training needs, and educational outreach needs. A total of 1,704 surveys were sent to 893 offices of the four agencies that manage the National Wilderness Preservation System. Two surveys were mailed to each office, one to the manager (line officer) and one to the staff person most responsible for wilderness or wilderness study area management. Of the 893 offices surveyed, 575 (64%) responded. Of the 1,704 surveys sent, 840 (49%) were returned. Figure I shows the percent of the total response by agency. Following is a summary of the results of that survey. General Issues - Each respondent was asked to identify their top three wilderness issues. The responses were first categorized into broad general issues, then into specific issues. For the four agencies combined Recreation was the number one general issue, followed by Administration, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities. (see Table I) When each agency is viewed seperately, Recreation is the number one general issue with all the agencies except the BLM. Administration is the only general issues that ranks in the top three for all four agencies. Recreation, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities all rank in the top five. (see Table II) BLM - 18% (152) F&W - 14% (118) Figure I Percent of the Total Response by Agency (Total Return = 840) NPS - 10% (84) Table I Issues by General Category Combined Totals For The Four Agencies 1. Recreation 2. Administration 3. Special Provisions 4. Illegal Activities 5. Fire 6. General/Misc. 7. Public Education 8. Fish & Wildlife 9. Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air 11. Plants 12. Legislation 13. Cultural FS - 58% (486) TABLE II - Issues by General Category For Each Agency 1. Recreation Recreation Administration Recreation 2. Administration Special Provisions Illegal Activities Administration 3. Fire Administration Special Provisions Special Provisions 4. Special Provisions Illegal Activities Recreation General/Misc. 5. Illegal Activities Fish & Wildlife Land Uses Illegal Activities 6. Public Education Soil/Water/Air Legislation Fire 7. General/Misc. Fire General/Misc. Soil/Water/Air 8. Fish & Wildlife General/Misc. Public Education Public Education 9. Land Uses Public Education Fire Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Fish & Wildlife Legislation 11. Plants Plants Soil/Water/Air Fish & Wildlife 12. Legislation Legislation Plants Plants 13. Cultural Cultural Cultural Cultural

5 Specific Issues - The number one specific issue for the four agencies combined was Recreation Over Use. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) was next, followed by Prescribed Natural Fire (PNF), lack of Funding, Grazing, and Trails. There were no specific issues common to all four agencies that rated high. Over Use and PNF were high for all the agencies except the BLM. OHVs was high for every agency except the NPS. (see Table III) The top three groups that would benefit most from the training were identified as Managers first, then wilderness staff and receptionist. (see Graph I) TABLE III - The Top Specific Issues For Each Agency 1.Over Use Over Use OHVs Planning 2.PNF PNF Grazing Over Use 3. $ Air Quality IMP Visitor Management 4. Trails Adjacent Land Legislation Overflights 5. O&G OHVs Access Trails 6. OHVs Management Inholdings PNF % Manager Wilderness/Recreation Staff Person That Would Benefit Most From Training (All Agencies) Seasonal Wilderness Ranger Receptionist Fire Staff Wildlife Staff All Multi-Displinary Staff Seasonal Project Crews Seasonal Technicians Conclusion - The most obvious observation that can be drawn from this analysis is that the four agencies have many similarities, but they also have many differences! For a complete copy of the full report contact the Carhart Center ( ). Law Enforcement Range Staff Information &Training Topics - The information &training topics that would be most beneficial in managing wilderness/wilderness study areas were also coded first into broad general categories and then into specific topics. For all the agencies combined Administration was the number one general category information & training topic followed by Recreation, and Public Education. The number one specific information & training need for all the agencies combined was Planning, followed by Leave No Trace (LNT), Public Education/awareness, Management, Over Use and PNF. Only Planning and Management were rated high for each of the four agencies when looked at separately. (see Table IV) Wilderness education materials and programs - Wilderness Awareness & Values was the number one public education outreach need identified by the four agencies combined, followed by Leave No Trace/minimum impact/user ethics. The General Public was identified as the number one audience that would benefit from wilderness education outreach. Next was Hunter/Fishermen, followed very closely by Organizations, Schools, Outfitter & Guides and Day Users. Audiences did vary considerably between agencies. TABLE IV - The Top Specific Information & Training Needs 1. LNT Policy & Regs Planning Planning 2. Pub Ed/aware Management Management Pub Ed/aware 3. Planning Pub Ed/aware IMP LNT 4. Over Use Legislation /W. Act LNT Management 5. PNF Planning Monitoring Training 6. Management Over Use Restoration Over Use

6 SUMMARY Education / Training Needs Assessment Survey Conducted by: Interagency Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center Introduction A survey was conducted in the winter of 1996 to identify wilderness / wilderness study area management issues, training needs, and educational outreach needs. A total of 1,704 surveys were sent to 893 offices of the four agencies that manage the National Wilderness Preservation System. Two surveys were mailed to each office, one to the manager (line officer) and one to the staff person most responsible for wilderness or wilderness study area management. Of the 893 offices surveyed, 575 (64%) responded. Of the 1,704 surveys sent, 840 (49%) were returned. Figure I shows the percent of the total response by agency. Following is a summary of the results of that survey. BLM - 18% (152) F&W - 14% (118) Figure I Percent of the Total Response by Agency (Total Return = 840) NPS - 10% (84) FS - 58% (486) General Issues - Each respondent was asked to identify their top three wilderness issues. The responses were first categorized into broad general issues, then into specific issues. For the four agencies combined, Recreation was the number one general issue followed by Administration, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities. (see Table I) Table I Issues by General Category Combined Totals For The Four Agencies 1. Recreation 2. Administration 3. Special Provisions 4. Illegal Activities 5. Fire 6. General/Misc. 7. Public Education 8. Fish & Wildlife 9. Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air 11. Plants 12. Legislation 13. Cultural When each agency is viewed separately, Recreation is the number one general issue with all the agencies except the BLM. Administration is the only general issues that ranks in the top three for all four agencies. Recreation, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities all rank in the top five. (see Table II) Table II - Issues by General Category For Each Agency 1. Recreation Recreation Administration Recreation 2. Administration Special Provisions Illegal Activities Administration 3. Fire Administration Special Provisions Special Provisions 4. Special Provisions Illegal Activities Recreation General/Misc. 5. Illegal Activities Fish & Wildlife Land Uses Illegal Activities 6. Public Education Soil/Water/Air Legislation Fire 7. General/Misc. Fire General/Misc. Soil/Water/Air 8. Fish & Wildlife General/Misc. Public Education Public Education 9. Land Uses Public Education Fire Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Fish & Wildlife Legislation 11. Plants Plants Soil/Water/Air Fish & Wildlife 12. Legislation Legislation Plants Plants 13. Cultural Cultural Cultural Cultural

7 Specific Issues - The number one specific issue for the four agencies combined was Recreation Over Use. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) was next, followed by Prescribed Natural Fire (PNF), lack of Funding, Grazing, and Trails. When each agency is considered seperately there were no specific issues common to all four agencies that rated high. Over Use and PNF were high for all the agencies except the BLM. OHVs was high for every agency except the NPS. (see Table III) Table IV - Information & Training Needs by Genereal Category (Combined Totals For The Four Agencies) 1. Administration 2. Recreation 3. Public Education 4. General/Misc. 5. Fire 6. Special Provisions 7. Legislation 8. Plants 9. Fish & Wildlife 10. Illegal Activities 11. Soil/Water/Air 12. Land Uses 13. Cultural The top three groups that would benefit most from the training were identified as Managers first, then wilderness staff and receptionist. (see Graph I) Manager Wilderness/Recreation Staff Seasonal Wilderness Ranger Receptionist Fire Staff Wildlife Staff All Multi-Displinary Staff Seasonal Project Crews Seasonal Technicians Law Enforcement Range Staff Table III - The Top Specific Issues For Each Agency 1.Over Use Over Use OHVs Planning 2.PNF PNF Grazing Over Use 3. $ Air Quality IMP Visitor Mgt. 4. Trails Adjacent Land Legislation Overflights 5. O&G OHVs Access Trails 6. OHVs Management Inholdings PNF Wilderness education materials and programs - Wilderness Awareness & Values was the number one public education outreach need identified by the four agencies combined, followed by Leave No Trace/minimum impact/user ethics. Information & Training Topics The information and training topics that would be most beneficial in managing wilderness/wilderness study areas were also coded first into broad general categories and then into specific topics. For all the agencies combined Administration was the number one general information & training topic followed by Recreation, and Public Education. (see Table IV) There was little difference in ranking of the general information & training topics when viewed seperately for each agency. The number one specific information & training need for all the agencies combined was Planning, followed by Leave No Trace (LNT), Public Education/awareness, Management, Over Use and PNF. Only Planning and Management were rated high for each of the four agencies when looked at separately. (see Table IV) The General Public was identified as the number one audience that would benefit from wilderness education outreach. Next was Hunter/ Fishermen, followed very closely by Organizations, Schools, Outfitter & Guides and Day Users. Audiences did vary considerably between agencies. TABLE IV - Specific Information & Training Needs For Each Agency 1. LNT Policy & Regs Planning Planning 2. Pub Ed/aware Management Management Pub Ed/aware 3. Planning Pub Ed/aware IMP LNT 4. Over Use Legislation LNT ß Management 5. PNF Planning Monitoring Training 6. Management Over Use Restoration Over Use Conclusion - The most obvious observation that can be drawn from this analysis is that the four agencies have many similarities, but they also have many differences! For a complete copy of the full report contact the Carhart Center ( ).

8 TABLE I - Issues by General Category (% of the Total # of Responses) All Agencies (%) 1. Recreation (26) Recreation (33) Recreation (17) Administration (22) Recreation (30) 2. Administration (17) Administration (16) Special Provisions (12) Illegal Activities (19) Administration (21) 3. Special Provisions (11) Fire (10) Administration (10) Special Provisions (16) Special Provisions (13) 4. Illegal Activities (10) Special Provisions (9) Illegal Activities (10) Recreation (8) General/Misc. (10) 5. Fire (8) Illegal Activities (8) Fish & Wildlife (10) Land Uses (7) Illegal Activities (4) 6. General/Misc. (6) Public Education (6) Soil/Water/Air (10) Legislation (7) Fire (4) 7. Public Education (5) General/Misc. (5) Fire (9) General/Misc. (5) Soil/Water/Air (4) 8. Fish & Wildlife (5) Fish & Wildlife (4) General/Misc. (5) Public Education (5) Public Education (3) 9. Land Uses (4) Land Uses (3) Public Education (5) Fire (3) Land Uses (3) 10. Soil/Water/Air (3) Soil/Water/Air (2) Land Uses (5) Fish & Wildlife (2) Legislation (3) 11. Plants (2) Plants (2) Plants (5) Soil/Water/Air (1) Fish & Wildlife (2) 12. Legislation (2) Legislation (1) Legislation (1) Plants (1) Plants (2) 13. Cultural (1) Cultural (1) Cultural (0) Cultural (1) Cultural (2) Information & Training Needs by Genereal Category (Percent of All Responses by General Category) All Agencies Administration Recreation Public Education General/Misc Fire Special Provisions Legislation Plants Fish & Wildlife Illegal Activities Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Cultural

9 SUMMARY Education / Training Needs Assessment Survey Conducted by: Arthur Carhart Interagency National Wilderness Training Center Introduction A survey was conducted in the winter of 1995/96 to identify wilderness / wilderness study area management issues, training needs, and educational outreach needs. A total of 1,704 surveys were sent to 893 offices of the four agencies that manage the National Wilderness Preservation System. Two surveys were mailed to each office, one to the manager and one to the staff person most responsible for wilderness or wilderness study area management. Of the 893 offices surveyed, 575 (64%) responded. Of the 1,704 surveys sent, 840 (49%) were returned. (see Figure I) BLM - 18% (152) F&W - 14% (118) Figure I Percent of the Total Response by Agency (Total Return = 840) NPS - 10% (84) FS - 58% (486) Issues - Each respondent was asked to identify their top three wilderness issues. The responses were first categorized into broad general issues, then into specific issues. Recreation is the number one general issue with all the agencies except the BLM. Administration is the only general issue that ranks in the top three for all four agencies. Recreation, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities all rank in the top five. (see Table I) There were no specific issues common to all four agencies that rated high. Over Use and PNF were high for all the agencies except the BLM. OHVs was high for every agency except the NPS. (see Table II) Table II Wilderness Management Specific Issues FS F&W 1.Over Use Over Use 2.PNF PNF 3. $ Air Quality 4. Trails Adjacent Land 5. O&G OHVs 6. OHVs Management BLM NPS 1. OHVs Planning 2. Grazing Over Use 3. IMP Visitor Mgt 4. Legislation Overflights 5. Access Trails 6. Inholdings PNF Table I - Wilderness Management Issues by General Category 1. Recreation Recreation Administration Recreation 2. Administration Special Provisions Illegal Activities Administration 3. Fire Administration Special Provisions Special Provisions 4. Special Provisions Illegal Activities Recreation General/Misc. 5. Illegal Activities Fish & Wildlife Land Uses Illegal Activities 6. Public Education Soil/Water/Air Legislation Fire 7. General/Misc. Fire General/Misc. Soil/Water/Air 8. Fish & Wildlife General/Misc. Public Education Public Education 9. Land Uses Public Education Fire Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Fish & Wildlife Legislation 11. Plants Plants Soil/Water/Air Fish & Wildlife 12. Legislation Legislation Plants Plants 13. Cultural Cultural Cultural Cultural

10 Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center SUMMARY Wilderness Education and Training Needs Assessment Survey Introduction A survey was conducted in the winter of 1995/96 to identify wilderness and wilderness study area management issues, training needs, and educational outreach needs. A total of 1,704 surveys were sent to 893 offices of the four agencies (Forest Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service) that manage the National Wilderness Preservation System. Two surveys were mailed to each office, one to the manager and one to the staff person most responsible for wilderness or wilderness study area management. Of the 893 offices surveyed, 575 (64%) responded. Of the 1,704 surveys sent, 840 (49%) were returned (see Figure I). Figure I Percent of the Total Response by Agency (Total Return = 840) NPS - 10% (84) Issues - Each respondent was asked to identify their top three wilderness issues. The responses were first categorized into broad, general issues and then into specific issues. Recreation is the number one general issue for all agencies except the BLM. In addition to Recreation, Administration, Special Provisions and Illegal Activities all rank in the top five for each agency (see Table I). Table I General Wilderness Management Issues FS FWS BLM NPS 1. Recreation Recreation Administration Recreation 2. Administration Special Provisions Illegal Activities Administration 3. Fire Administration Special Provisions Special Provisions 4. Special Provisions Illegal Activities Recreation General/Misc. 5. Illegal Activities Fish & Wildlife Land Uses Illegal Activities 6. Public Education Soil/Water/Air Legislation Fire 7. General/Misc. Fire General/Misc. Soil/Water/Air 8. Fish & Wildlife General/Misc. Public Education Public Education 9. Land Uses Public Education Fire Land Uses 10. Soil/Water/Air Land Uses Fish & Wildlife Legislation 11. Plants Plants Soil/Water/Air Fish & Wildlife 12. Legislation Legislation Plants Plants 13. Cultural Cultural Cultural Cultural There were no specific issues common to all four agencies that ranked in the top six. Over Use and Prescribed Natural Fire (PNF) were common to all agencies except the BLM. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) was the highest for BLM and was common to every agency except the NPS (see Table II). Table II Specific Wilderness Management Issues BLM - 18% (152) F&W - 14% (118) FS - 58% (486) FS FWS BLM NPS 1. Over Use Over Use OHVs Planning 2. PNF PNF Grazing Over Use 3. Funding Air Quality Interim Mgt Visitor Mgt 4. Trails Adjacent Land Legislation Overflights 5. Outfitters OHVs Access Trails 6. OHVs Management Inholdings PNF

11 Information & Training Topics - The information and training topics identified as being most beneficial in managing wilderness and wilderness study areas were also coded into broad, general categories and then into specific topics. Administration was the number one general information and training topic for all four agencies combined followed by Recreation, and Public Education. There was little difference in ranking of the general information and training topics between agencies. Planning and Management were the specific information and training topics important to all four agencies that ranked in the top six. Leave No Trace (LNT) was important to all agencies but the FWS. Public Education/ Awareness and Over Use were important to all agencies but the BLM (see Table III). Table III Specific Wilderness Information & Training Needs FS FWS BLM NPS 1. LNT Policy & Regs Planning Planning 2. Pub Ed/aware Management Management Pub Ed/aware 3. Planning Pub Ed/aware Interim Mgt LNT 4. Over Use Legislation LNT Management 5. PNF Planning Monitoring Training 6. Management Over Use Restoration Over Use Wilderness Education Materials and Programs - Wilderness Awareness/Values was the number one public education outreach need identified by the four agencies, followed by Leave No Trace/Minimum Impact/User Ethics. The General Public was identified as the number one audience that would most benefit from wilderness education outreach. Next was Hunter/Fishermen, followed very closely by Organizations, Schools, Outfitters and Day Users. Carhart Projects - The majority of respondents did not know about the existing Carhart products and training programs, and even fewer had used them. However, almost all respondents felt the products/ programs were important, and those that had used the products/programs felt the quality was good. The top three positions that would benefit most from the training were identified as Managers first, followed by Wilderness Staff and Receptionists (see Figure II). Figure II Positions That Would Benefit Most From Wilderness Training Manager Wilderness/Recreation Staff Seasonal Wilderness Ranger Receptionist Fire Staff Conclusion show that while there are some unique differences, the four agencies that manage the one National Wilderness Preservation System have similar management challenges. With this information we will be able to better meet your current and expected wilderness training and educational needs. Wildlife Staff All Multi-Displinary Staff Seasonal Project Crews Seasonal Technicians Law Enforcement Range Staff % For the full report contact the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, Remount Road, Huson, MT Phone Fax