Social conditions and preference data for visitors to three wilderness areas in the southern United States in 1989-1990

Metadata:

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

MAILBACK SURVEY DATA

\DATA\CaneyCreek\Mailback_Survey_Data_Caney_Creek.csv
\DATA\Cohutta\Mailback_Survey_Data_Cohutta.csv
\DATA\UplandIsland\Mailback_Survey_Data_Upland_Island.csv

This publication contains three comma-delimited ASCII text files containing the compiled response data from mail-back surveys sent to visitors to Cohutta Wilderness (Georgia), Caney Creek Wilderness (Arkansas), and Upland Island Wilderness (Texas). The survey question numbers are in parentheses at the start of the variable descriptions. The surveys were identical, aside from variables VALUE15 and VALUE17, which refer to specific features in each wilderness area. Variables contained within these files are listed below.

SEQ = unique data row id
QNUM = questionnaire number
FORM = which version of the survey (1=A; 2=B)
(1) CMPNGTS = did you stay overnight in the wilderness? (1=Yes; 2=No; blank=missing)
(2) NNIGHTS = how many nights did you stay?

(3) HSNGT1-HSNGT3 = for each of the first three nights, estimate the following:
HSNGT{X} = number of hiker groups camped within sight or sound of your campsite on night X
HWNGT{X} = number of hiker groups that walked past your campsite on night X
HORSCMP{X} = number of horse groups that camped within sight or sound of your campsite on night X
HORSTRL{X} = number of horse groups that travelled past your campsite on night X

(4) NGTRAIL1-NGTRAIL3 = for each of the first three days (day users, first day only), estimate the following:
NGTRAIL{X} = number of groups of hikers seen along the trails
NHTRAIL{X} = total number of hikers you saw along the trails
NLGRPTL{X} = number of large groups (more than 6 people) you saw along the trails
NHGRPTL{X} = number of horse groups you saw along the trails
NHUSETL{X} = number of horse users you saw along the trails

(5) BICYCLE-EXTRAOTR = which of the following activities did you participate in? (1=yes; blank=no/missing)
BICYCLE = VARIABLE NOT USED
FISHING = fishing
HUNTING = hunting
CHKHUNT = checking out places to hunt in the future
ONTRLH = hiking on trails
OFFTRLH = hiking off trails
ROCKCLM = rock climbing
NATSTUDY = nature study
TPICTURE = taking pictures
SWIMSUN = swimming or sunbathing
BIRDWATH = birdwatching
TLKOTHER = talking to others in other groups
TALONE = spending time all alone
CAMPING = camping
PICNIC = picnicking
COLLECT = collecting berries, mushrooms, or other
HORSE = horseback riding
OTHER = other activity
RUNNING = running (Cohutta only -- derived from "other" descriptions?)
VIEWSP = VARIABLE NOT USED
EXTRAOTR = VARIABLE NOT USED

(6) PACTIVTY = which activity was your primary reason for choosing this area for this trip? (derived from free text?) (1=bicycling; 2=fishing; 3=hunting; 4=checking out places to hunt in the future; 5=hiking on trails; 6=hiking off trails; 7=rock climbing; 8=nature study; 9=taking pictures; 10=swimming or sunbathing; 11=birdwatching; 12=talking to others in other groups; 13=spending time all alone; 14=camping; 15=picnicking; 16=collecting berries, mushrooms, or other; 17=horseback riding; 18=other; 19=running; 20=viewing special attributes; 21=extra other; 22=multiple activities; 23=hiking (both on and off trail))

(7) TYPSTAY = what is the typical length of your visits into wilderness areas such as this one? (1=a few hours; 2=a full day; 3=one or two nights; 4=more than two nights)

(8) PREVISIT-YRVISWLD = questions relating to previous wilderness use
PREVISIT = how many times have you visited this wilderness previously?
YRFRSTV = how many years ago did you first visit this wilderness area
VISITYR = how many times per year do you typically visit this wilderness area?
ERATWLD = VARIABLE NOT USED
HMANYWLD = how many other wilderness areas have you visited?
YAGOVISW = how many years ago did you first visit a wilderness area?
YRVISWLD = how many times a year do you typically go into wilderness?

(9) WGRTREC-WSELDVIS = indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your feelings (1=strongly agree; 2=agree; 3=neutral; 4=disagree; 5=strongly disagree; blank=missing)
WGRTREC = I get greater satisfaction out of visiting wilderness than other recreation places
WLIFE = I find that a lot of my life is organized around wilderness use
WOPPVIS = One of the major reasons I now live where I do is that it has opportunities for visiting wilderness
WPARTME = I feel like wilderness is a part of me
WSELDVIS = I seldom take time to visit wilderness areas

(10) NGRPTRL-GRVLWILD = for the items listed below, tell us how much each matters to you (1=not at all; 2=slightly; 3=somewhat; 4=moderately; 5=very much; 6=extremely; blank=missing)
NGRPTRL = The number of groups of hikers I see along the trail
NPEOPTRL = The total number of people I see hiking along the trail
NLRGGRP = The number of large groups (more than 6 people) that I see along the trail
NHCMPC = The number of hiker groups that camp within sight or sound of my campsite
NHWLKC = The number of hiker groups that walk past my campsite
NHORSTRL = The number of horse groups I see along the trails
NHORSCMP = The number of horse groups that camp within sight or sound of my campsite
NHORSWLK = The number of horse groups that travel past my campsite while I am there
NOISWIN = The amount of noise associated with human activities within the wilderness
NOISOUT = The amount of manmade noise originating from outside the wilderness
PEOPSTRL = The percent of time other people are in sight while I'm along the trail
VEGLCMP = The amount of vegetation loss and bare ground around a campsite
TDAMCMP = The number of trees around a campsite that have been damaged by people
CMPFRING = The number of campfire rings that people have made
LITER = The amount of litter I see
OLDROADS = The amount of time I spend travelling on old roads in the wilderness
LOUTWILD = The visibility of lights originating from outside the wilderness
WILDANML = The number of wild animals I see
GRVLWILD = The number of miles of gravel road I travel to get to the wilderness

(11) OEXPQUAL = any other items that influence the quality of your experience in this wilderness (1=air/water quality; 2=weather; 3=scenery, beauty; 4=fishing; 5=number of pets, off leash; 6=vandalism; 7=number of mountain bikes; 8=safety (moutain bikes, narrow trails); 9=safety (everything else); 10=trail conditions; 11=pests (ticks, flies, chipmunks); 12=accurate information; 13=off-road vehicle use; 14=conditions around wilderness (ex. logging))

(12) APTRLLLU-BGRAVULA = for each characteristic below, make 3 judgments:
{ZZZ}=LLU/ULU = a. is there a range of values that is completely unacceptable? (LLU=unacceptable lower limit; ULU=unacceptable upper limit)
{ZZZ}=LLA/ULA = b. is there a range of values that would be acceptable? (LLA=acceptable lower limit; ULA=acceptable upper limit)
{ZZZ}=PRE = c. is there a point that is most preferred? (PRE=preferred number)

APTRLLLU-APVEGULA = Survey form A questions
(12A) APTRL{ZZZ} = total number of people I see hiking along the trails in a day (0-50)
(12B) ALGTL{ZZZ} = number of large groups (more than 6 people) that I see along the trails in a day (0-25)
(12C) AHCP1{ZZZ} = number of hiker groups that camp within sight or sound of my campsite (0-25)
(12D) AHWC{ZZZ} = number of hiker groups that walk past my campsite (0-25)
(12E) AHORT{ZZZ} = number of horse groups I see along the trails in a day (0-25)
(12F) AHORC{ZZZ} = number of horse groups that camp within sight or sound of my campsite (0-25)
(12G) APPTL{ZZZ} = percent of time other people are in sight while I am on the trail (0-100)
(12H) APVEG{ZZZ} = percent of vegetation loss and bare ground around the campsite (0-100)

BHGTLLLU-BGRAVULA = Survey form B questions
(12A) BHGTL{ZZZ} = number of groups of hikers I see along the trails in a day (0-25)
(12B) BHGCP{ZZZ} = number of hiker groups that camp within sight or sound of my campsite (0-25)
(12C) BHORT{ZZZ} = number of horse groups that travel past my campsite while I am there (0-50)
(12D) BTREE{ZZZ} = percent of trees around a campsite that have been damaged by people (0-100)
(12E) BLITR{ZZZ} = number of pieces of litter I can see from my campsite (0-50)
(12F) BROAD{ZZZ} = percent of time I spend travelling on old roads in the wilderness (0-100)
(12G) BWILD{ZZZ} = number of wild animals I see in a day (0-50)
"(12H) BGRAV{ZZZ} = number of miles of gravel road from the end of the pavement to the start
of the wilderness trail (0-50)"

(13) GFMEANS-GFFEEL = indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your general feelings about this wilderness (1=strongly agree; 2=agree; 3=neutral; 4=disagree; 5=strongly disagree; blank=missing)
GFMEANS = This place means a lot to me
GFSUBANY = I wouldn't substitute any other area for doing the type of things I did here
GFSATIS = I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than from visiting any other recreation place
GFTHINGS = I enjoy doing the type of things I did here in this area more than in any other area
GFORGAN = I find that a lot of my life is organized around this place
GFBEST = This area is the best place for what I like to do
GFNLIVE = One of the major reasons I now live where I do is that this place is nearby
GFNOCOMM = I feel no commitment to this place
GFPARTME = I feel like this place is a part of me
GFTIMESP = The time I spent here could have just as easily been spent somewhere else
GFCOMPAR = No other place can compare to this area
GFATTACH = I am very attached to this place
GFIDENT = I identify strongly with this place
GFFEEL = This place makes me feel like no other place can

(14) RVLEARN-RVAPPLY = indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your recent visit to this wilderness (1=strongly agree; 2=agree; 3=neutral; 4=disagree; 5=strongly disagree; blank=missing)
RVLEARN = I tried to learn as much as possible about the lay of the land
RVSOLTUD = The solitude of this place helped to bring my companion(s) and me closer together
RVSKILLS = I spent most of my time improving skills in outdoor activities that are important to me
RVCOMPAN = Spending time with my companions was the focal point of the trip for me
RVUSESKL = I felt good about how much I was able to use my outdoor skills
RVSTOPTL = I often stopped along the trail to examine the environment in detail
RVATNSKL = I focused a lot of my attention on outdoor activities and skills
RVEXPLR = Exploring the place was the focal point of the trip for me
RVDOTHK = I spent most of my time doing and thinking about outdoor recreation activities that are important to me
RVSPCOMP = I spent a lot of time with my companions
RVSPEVIR = I spent a lot of time studying the features of the environment
RVSHREXP = I really enjoyed sharing the experience with my companions
RVSPEXPL = I spent a lot of time just exploring the area
RVRELTN = I thought a lot about my relationships with my companions on the trip
RVAPPLY = I thought a lot about how I could apply my outdoor skills

(15) VALUE15 = which statement most closely reflects the value you assign to this wilderness?
Caney Creek: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in a forest environment, and being in the Ouachita mountain landscapes is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in the Ouachita mountain landscapes, as opposed to just any forested environment; blank=missing)
Cohutta: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in a forest environment, and being in the Appalachian mountain landscapes is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in the Appalachian mountain landscapes, as opposed to just any forested environment; blank=missing)
Upland Island: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in a forest environment, and being in the East Texas landscape is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in the East Texas landscape, as opposed to just any forested environment; blank=missing)

(16) VALUE16 = if you checked 15A, do you value this wilderness because
(1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in a forested environment, and being in wild, remote wilderness is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in a forested environment, and being in wild, remote wilderness is important to you; blank=missing)

(17) VALUE17 = if you checked 15B, do you value this wilderness because
Caney Creek: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in Ouachita mountain landscapes, and being in wild, remote wilderness is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in Ouachita mountain landscapes, and being in wild, remote wilderness is important to you; blank=missing)
Cohutta: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in Appalachian mountain landscapes, and being in wild, remote wilderness is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in Appalachian mountain landscapes, and being in wild, remote wilderness is important to you; blank=missing)
Upland Island: (1=(A) You are interested primarily in recreating in the East Texas landscape, and being in wild, remote wilderness is not particularly important to you; 2=(B) You are interested primarily in recreating in the East Texas landscape, and being in wild, remote wilderness is important to you; blank=missing)

(18) REASVIS = Which of the following was the most important reason for making this wilderness visit? (1=I came here because I enjoy this place itself; 2=I came here because this is a good place to do the outdoor activities I enjoy; 3=I came here because I wanted to spend more time with my companions; blank=missing/more than one checked)

(19) BLAZE = Please tell us how you felt about the trail markings (blazings) in this wilderness (1=saw no blazes, and none are needed; 2=saw no blazes, and more are needed; 3=saw very few blazes, and the number is about right; 4=saw very few blazes, and more are needed; 5=saw very few blazes, and there were too many; 6=saw many blazes, and the number was about right; 7=saw many blazes, and more are needed; 8=saw many blazes, and there were too many; blank=missing)

(20) TYPCLUB = Do you belong to any organizations that are primarily concerned with conservation or outdoor recreation? (derived from free text) (1=Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, Montana Wilderness Association, Friends of the Earth, National Parks Association (wilderness-oriented organizations); 2=other conservation organizations (American Forestry Association, National Wildlife Federation, Audobon, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited); 3=Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, campfire, etc.(youth organization); 4=backcountry horsemen; 5=other Recreation organization (Rod & Gun club, etc.); 6=other (list); 7=both 1 & 2; 8 other combinations than 1 & 2; blank=missing)

(21) EDUCATN = What is the highest level of education you have attained in years? (1=less than 8; 2=8; 3=9; 4=10; 5=11; 6=12; 7=13; 8=14; 9=15; 10=16; 11=>16; blank=missing)

(22) GROWNUP = In which of the following kinds of places did you spend the most time while growing up (to age 18)? (1=on a farm or ranch; 2=in the country but not on a farm or ranch; 3=in a small town (2,500 or fewer people); 4=in a town or small city (between 2,500 and 25,000 people); 5=in a city (between 25,000 and 100,000 people); 6=in a large city (100,000 to one million people); 7=in a major city or metropolitan area (over one million people); blank=missing)

(23) MARRIED = are you currently married? (1=Yes; 2=No)

(24) CHILDL5 = do you have children under 5 years old living with you? (1=Yes; 2=No)

(25) CHILDG5 = do you have children between 5 and 17 years old living with you? (1=Yes; 2=No)

(26) NOWLIVE = In what type of community do you now live? (1=on a farm or ranch; 2=in the country but not on a farm or ranch; 3=in a small town (2,500 or fewer people); 4=in a town or small city (between 2,500 and 25,000 people); 5=in a city (between 25,000 and 100,000 people); 6=in a large city (100,000 to one million people); 7=in a major city or metropolitan area (over one million people); blank=missing)

(27) JSTATUS = current job status (1=employed; 2=unemployed; 3=retired; 4=full-time homemaker; 5=student; 6=missing/if two are checked and can't distinguish)

(28) OCCUP = describe the usual occupation of the main wage earner in your household. If retired, describe the usual occupation before retirement (derived from free text) (1=professional, technical worker; 2=manager, administrator, official (non-self employed); 3=self-employed business or artisan; 4=clerical or sales worker; 5=craftsman or foreman; 6=operative (road machine, tractor, machinery); 7=laborer or service worker; 8=farmer or farm manager; 9=military; blank=missing)

(29) INCOME = annual household income (1=less than $5,000; 2=$5,000 to $9,999; 3=$10,000 to $14,999; 4=$15,000 to $19,999; 5=$20,000 to $24,999; 6=$25,000 to $34,999; 7=$35,000 to $49,999; 8=$50,000 to $74,999; 9=$75,000 to $100,000; 10=over $100,000)

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

For more information about these variables see files included in the Supplements folder:

(Where * = Caney Creek, Cohutta, or Upland Island)

\Supplements\Onsite_Survey_ALL_1990.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the original onsite survey instrument used to collect the onsite survey data at all three wilderness areas.

\Supplements\*\Final_Report*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF files containing Recreation Visitor survey final reports for each location (*).

\Supplements\*\Interim_Report*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the February 1990 interim report for Cohutta: "The relationship between the visitor and the resource", written by Young, Roggenbuck, and Williams. NOTE: This file is only available for Cohutta.

\Supplements\*\Coding_Manual_Onsite_Interview*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF files containing the original code sheet for each variable in the CSV files. NOTE: this information is already contained in the metadata, but these files were included for historical completeness.

\Supplements\*\Mailback_Form*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a files containing the original form A or B mail-back survey instrument used to collect the data for each location (*) in the Mailback_Survey_Data*.csv files.

\Supplements\*\Maps_and_codes*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a files containing a map of the location (*) and trail and region codes corresponding to data values of several variables.

\Supplements\Onsite_postcard_Upland_Island.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the original onsite postcard survey instrument used to collect the data in Onsite_Postcard_Data_Upland_Island.csv.

\Supplements\*\Sampling_Plan*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing a list of dates, times, and trails they planned to sample in each location (*).

\Supplements\*\Survey_mailing_coverletter*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the cover letters included when surveys were mailed out to visitors of each location (*).

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

ONSITE SURVEY DATA

\DATA\CaneyCreek\Onsite_Survey_Data_Caney_Creek.csv
\DATA\Cohutta\Onsite_Survey_Data_Cohutta.csv
\DATA\UplandIsland\Onsite_Survey_Data_Upland_Island.csv
\DATA\UplandIsland\Onsite_Postcard_Data_Upland_Island.csv

This data publication also include 4 comma-delimited ASCII text files containing the compiled response data from onsite surveys taken by visitors to Cohutta Wilderness (Georgia), Caney Creek Wilderness (Arkansas), and Upland Island Wilderness (Texas). The survey question numbers are in parentheses at the start of the variable descriptions. NOTE: The variables in "\Data\UplandIsland\Onsite_Postcard_Data_Upland_Island.csv" have the same definitions as those listed below, but are not in the same order.

SEQ = unique data row id
GROUP = group number
IVIEWER = interviewer name
SDATETIM = time of interview in the format "DayMonthYear:Hours:Minutes"
AREA = wilderness area (1=Cohutta; 2=Caney Creek; 3=Upland Island)
ENTRY = entry point (see maps: \Supplements\Map_and_Codes_Caney_Creek_1990.pdf, Map_and_Codes_Cohutta_1990.pdf, Map_and_Codes_Upland_Island_1990.pdf)
EXIT = exit point (see maps)
VSTATUS = visitor status (1=entering; 2=exiting)

(1) EDATETIM = entry time in the format "DayMonthYear:Hours:Minutes"
(1) LDATETIM = exit time in the format "DayMonthYear:Hours:Minutes"

(2) VTRAV{X}-CLOCN{X} = X represents specific points in the wilderness (see maps)
VTRAV{X} = route through the wilderness went through point X (onsite survey: 1=no; 2=yes; onsite postcard: 1=yes; blank/2=no)
CNIGHTS = number of camping nights
CLOCN{X} = camped in area/location X (onsite survey: 1=no; 2=yes; onsite postcard: 1=yes; blank/2=no)

(3) ALTLOCN = If you found out while still at home that this area was temporarily closed, would you have gone somewhere else on this trip? (1=no; 2=yes)
(3) ALTNAME-ALTTYPE = if "yes" for ALTLOCN
ALTNAME = name of alternate area
ALTCITY = nearest town or city to alternate area
ALTTYPE = type of area (wilderness, state park, etc.)

(4) GRPSIZE = group size

(5) GRPTYPE = group type (1=Friends; 2=Family (immediate family and relatives); 3=Family and Friends; 4=Organized club/school group; 5=Alone; 6=Other)
(5) GRPOTHER = group other description

(6) INDIVID-ZIP = information about each individual in the group
INDIVID = individual id number in group
AGE = age
SEX = sex
PRIORVIS = number of prior visits
CITY = town or city
STATE = state abbreviation
ZIP = zip code

QNUM = questionnaire number/individual unique id

DAYS = total time spent in the wilderness in days
HOURS = total time spent in the wilderness in hours

POINT = (unfortunately this is unknown - but left in for completeness)
RGROUP (Cohutta only) = (unfortunately this is also unknown - but left in for completeness, it might be a grouping based on the length of trip HDAYUSE; HONUSE; LDAYUSE; LONUSE ?)

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

For more information about these variables see files included in the Supplements folder:

(Where * = Caney Creek, Cohutta, or Upland Island)

\Supplements\Coding_Manual_Mailback_Survey_3_Wildernesses.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the original code sheet for the data collected in the mailback surveys for this Three Wilderness Areas study. NOTE: this information is already contained in the metadata, but these files were included for historical completeness.

\Supplements\Williams_etal_variability_of_user_based_social_impact.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the publication: Williams, D.R. et al. 1992. The variability of user-based social impact standards for wilderness management. Forest Science 38(4): 738-756.

\Supplements\Onsite_Survey_ALL_1990.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the original onsite survey instrument used to collect the onsite survey data at all three wilderness areas.

\Supplements\*\Final_Report*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF files containing Recreation Visitor survey final reports for each location (*).

\Supplements\*\Interim_Report*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the February 1990 interim report for Cohutta: "The relationship between the visitor and the resource", written by Young, Roggenbuck, and Williams. NOTE: This file is only available for Cohutta.

\Supplements\*\Coding_Manual_Onsite_Interview*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF files containing the original code sheet for each variable in the CSV files. NOTE: this information is already contained in the metadata, but these files were included for historical completeness.

\Supplements\*\Mailback_Survey_Instrument_Form*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a files containing the original form A or B mail-back survey instrument used to collect the data for each location (*) in the Mailback_Survey_Data*.csv files.

\Supplements\*\Maps_and_codes*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a files containing a map of the location (*) and trail and region codes corresponding to data values of several variables.

\Supplements\Onsite_postcard_Upland_Island.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the original onsite postcard survey instrument used to collect the data in Onsite_Postcard_Data_Upland_Island.csv.

\Supplements\*\Sampling_Plan*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing a list of dates, times, and trails they planned to sample in each location (*).

\Supplements\*\Survey_mailing_coverletter*.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF file containing the cover letters included when surveys were mailed out to visitors of each location (*).

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20180228

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Alan Watson

Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Contact_Position: Research Social Scientist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 790 East Beckwith Avenue

City: Missoula

State_or_Province: MT

Postal_Code: 59801

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 406-542-4197

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999