off the beaten track : messaging as a means to reducing depreciative behaviour in a national park
abstract
over the 2004 peak visitor season, a covert observational study was conducted
at st. lawrence islands national park, ontario, canada to assess the extent of
social trail use on two islands. the study examined the effectiveness of
message text, and location on signs aimed at reducing the amount of social
trail use by visitors. attribution and species-at-risk messages were more
effective than simple messages at eliciting desired behaviours. furthermore,
when signs were posted at specific locations of interest, social trail use was
reduced significantly compared to no messages, or messages located at points
of entry alone. attribution messages may lead to environmental attitudes
becoming accessible. gender and age of visitor also influenced social trial
behaviour.
collections
- retrospective theses [1604]