Date of Award
3-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Committee Chair/Advisor
Matthew T.J. Brownlee
Committee Member
Robert J. Barcelona
Committee Member
Theresa N. Melton
Abstract
Using data to inform decisions about policy, staffing, resource management, and infrastructure is widely regarded as a best practice among public land managers. A substantial body of empirical research has examined frameworks for data-informed decision-making on public lands, as well as factors that support or hinder its implementation. However, relatively little attention has been given to how managers use general visitor survey data to make site-specific decisions. This study explored how managers in one U.S. federal agency use data from a general visitor survey specific to their site, or, if they are not, what barriers are preventing application. Researchers conducted 27 qualitative interviews with site managers involved in a general visitor use survey to retroactively assess the use, value, and barriers of the data resulting from the survey. Results show most managers value having general visitor survey data, but barriers including time and capacity constraints, agency mandates, and lack of individual agency persist. This work has the potential to inform both this general visitor survey data collection program and the broader role of general visitor use survey programs across public land management agencies.
Recommended Citation
Wernsing, Kayla E., "Evaluating How Public Land Managers Use General Visitor Survey Data for Decision-Making" (2026). All Theses. 4771.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4771
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4819-7079