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Alan E. Watson

Supervisory Research Social Scientist

Address: 
790 East Beckwith Avenue
Missoula, MT 59801
Phone: 
406-542-4197
Contact Alan E. Watson

Current Research

Alan's research interests focus on understanding and reporting about human aspects of wilderness use and values. Alan draws upon his education in ecological psychology, environmental psychology, social psychology, sociology, forestry, and natural resource management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University to study and describe human relationships with wilderness. Alan is the Research Social Scientist with the Leopold Institute and on the Executive Editor for Science for the International Journal of Wilderness.

Research Interests

Model the effects of personal and social meanings on landscape level forest policy decisions, role of wilderness in larger social and ecological systems, conflicting personal and social meanings and values associated with wilderness, monitoring recreation use and experiential aspects of wilderness use, understanding personal relationships with place, wilderness and activity among nonconforming, contentious uses of wilderness, personal and societal response to recreation fees for wilderness use segmenting the tourist community based upon commitment to protecting wilderness character, the role of traditional ecological knowledge in wilderness protection, the relationship between the public and public lands and contributors to trust

Education

  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bachelors, 1978
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Masters, 1980
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Ph.D., 1983

    • Featured Publications

    Yang, He; Hutchinson, Susan; Zinn, Harry; Watson, Alan E., 2011. Discretionary time of Chinese college students: Activities and impact of SARS-induced constraints on choices
    Watson, Alan E.; Matt, Roian; Knotek, Katie; Williams, Daniel R.; Yung, Laurie, 2011. Traditional wisdom: Protecting relationships with wilderness as a cultural landscape
    Liljeblad, Adam; Borrie, Bill; Watson, Alan E., 2010. Trust is a must: What is involved in trusting those who manage forest fires?
    Watson, Alan E.; Ostergren, Dave; Fix, Peter; Overbaugh, Bill; McCollum, Dan W.; Kruger, Linda Ph.D.; Madsen, Martha; Yang, He, 2009. Protecting ecotourism resources in a time of rapid economic and environmental transformation in Asia
    Watson, Alan E.; Martin, Vance; Lin, Chau Chin, 2009. Wilderness: An international community knocking on Asia's door

    Publications

    Armatas, Christopher A.; Borrie, William T.; Watson, Alan E., 2019. Protocol for social vulnerability assessment to support national forest planning and management: A technical manual for engaging the public to understand ecosystem service tradeoffs and drivers of change
    Armatas, Christopher A.; Campbell, Robert M.; Watson, Alan E.; Borrie, William T.; Christensen, Neal; Venn, Tyron J., 2018. An integrated approach to valuation and tradeoff analysis of ecosystem services for national forest decision-making
    Cooke, Brian; Watson, Alan E.; Thurow, Russ F., 2018. Research runs through it: A fresh look at wild and scenic rivers
    Watson, Alan E.; Armatas, Christopher A., 2017. A mental model of science informed by public lands managers: Increasing the chances for management based on science
    Chesterton, Steve; Watson, Alan E., 2017. A watershed moment for river conservation and science
    Armatas, Christopher A.; Venn, Tyron J.; McBride, Brooke B.; Watson, Alan E.; Carver, Steve J., 2016. Opportunities to utilize traditional phenological knowledge to support adaptive management of social-ecological systems vulnerable to changes in climate and fire regimes
    McBride, Brooke Balauf; Sanchez-Trigueros, Fernando; Carver, Stephen J; Watson, Alan E.; Stumpff, Linda Moon; Matt, Roian; Borrie, William T., 2016. Participatory Geographic Information Systems as an organizational platform for the integration of traditional and scientific knowledge in contemporary fire and fuels management
    Dawson, Chad P.; Cordell, Ken; Watson, Alan E.; Ghimire, Ramesh; Green, Gary T., 2016. The US Wilderness Managers Survey: Charting a path for the future
    Watson, Alan E.; Cordell, H. Ken; Manning, Robert; Martin, Steven, 2016. The evolution of wilderness social science and future research to protect experiences, resources, and societal benefits
    Ghimire, Ramesh; Cordell, Ken; Watson, Alan E.; Dawson, Chad; Green, Gary T., 2015. Results From the 2014 National Wilderness Manager Survey
    Watson, Alan E.; Carver, Stephen; Krenova, Zdenka; McBride, Brooke, 2015. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Tenth World Wilderness Congress symposium; 2013, 4-10 October, Salamanca, Spain
    Watson, Alan E.; Martin, Steve; Christensen, Neal; Fauth, Gregg; Williams, Daniel R., 2015. The relationship between perceptions of wilderness character and attitudes toward management intervention to adapt biophysical resources to a changing climate and nature restoration at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
    Armatas, Christopher A.; Venn, Tyron J.; Watson, Alan E., 2014. Applying Q-methodology to select and define attributes for non-market valuation: A case study from Northwest Wyoming, United States
    Watson, Alan E.; Cordell, H. Ken, 2014. Take a scientist to the sauna: A great way to keep science and stewardship working together for another 50 years
    Watson, Alan E.; Cordell, H. Ken, 2014. Wilderness social science responding to change in society, policy, and the environment
    Dvorak, Robert G.; Borrie, William T.; Watson, Alan E., 2013. Personal wilderness relationships: Building on a transactional approach
    Watson, Alan E.; Schwaller, Ann; Dvorak, Robert; Christensen, Neal; Borrie, William T., 2013. Wilderness managers, wilderness scientists, and universities: A partnership to protect wilderness experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
    Trosper, Ronald L.; Clark, Fred; Gerez-Fernandez, Patrica; Lake, Frank; McGregor, Deborah; Peters, Charles M.; Purata, Silvia; Ryan, Teresa; Thomson, Alan; Watson, Alan E.; Wyatt, Stephen, 2012. North America [Chapter 5]
    Dvorak, Robert G.; Watson, Alan E.; Christensen, Neal; Borrie, William T.; Schwaller, Ann, 2012. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Examining changes in use, users, and management challenges
    Watson, Alan E.; Stumpff, Linda Moon; Meidinger, Jennifer, 2012. Traditional wisdom and climate change: Contribution of wilderness stories to adaptation and survival
    Watson, Alan E., 2012. Wilderness at arm's length: On the outside looking in at special provisions in wilderness
    Watson, Alan E.; Murrieta-Saldivar, Joaquin; McBride, Brooke, 2011. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Ninth World Wilderness Congress symposium; November 6-13, 2009; Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
    Watson, Alan E., 2011. The role of wilderness protection and societal engagement as indicators of well-being: An examination of change at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
    Dvorak, Robert G.; Borrie, William T.; Watson, Alan E., 2011. Threats and changes affecting human relationships with wilderness: Implications for management
    Liljeblad, Adam; Borrie, William T.; Watson, Alan E., 2009. Determinants of trust for public lands: Fire and fuels management on the Bitterroot National Forest
    Carver, Steve; Watson, Alan E.; Waters, Tim; Matt, Roian; Gunderson, Kari; Davis, Brett, 2009. Developing computer-based participatory approaches to mapping landscape values for landscape and resource management
    Watson, Alan E.; Matt, Roian; Waters, Tim; Gunderson, Kari; Carver, Steve; Davis, Brett, 2009. Mapping tradeoffs in values at risk at the interface between wilderness and non-wilderness lands
    Ritter, Sharon; Jones, Greg; Watson, Alan E.; McCaughey, Ward; Harrington, Mick; Zwolak, Rafal; Foresman, Kerry; Crone, Elizabeth; Pearson, Dean E.; Ortega, Yvette K.; Loeffler, Dan, 2008. ECO-Report - Finding common ground: Montana Forest Restoration Committee
    Watson, Alan E., 2008. Mapping social and cultural values in the Mission Mountains
    Watson, Alan E.; Knotek, Katie; Christensen, Neal, 2008. On the outside looking in: Fly-in recreation day use visitor experiences in the south district of Denali National Park and Preserve
    Knotek, Katie; Watson, Alan E.; Borrie, William T.; Whitmore, Joshua G.; Turner, David, 2008. Recreation visitor attitudes towards management-ignited prescribed fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Montana
    Liljeblad, Adam; Watson, Alan E.; Borrie, William T., 2007. A look inside the dynamics of trust: A guide for managers
    Winter, Patricia; Absher, James; Watson, Alan E., 2007. Assess and enhance public trust
    Knotek, Katie; Watson, Alan E.; Christensen, Neal, 2007. Diverse recreation experiences at Denali National Park and Preserve
    González-Cabán, Armando; Haynes, Richard W.; McCaffrey, Sarah; Mercer, Evan; Watson, Alan E., 2007. Fire social science research–selected highlights.
    Watson, Alan E.; Glaspell, Brian; Christensen, Neal; Lachapelle, Paul; Sahanatien, Vicki; Gertsch, Frances, 2007. Giving voice to wildlands visitors: Selecting indicators to protect and sustain experiences in the eastern arctic of Nunavut
    Magro, Teresa Cristina; Watson, Alan E.; Bernasconi, Paula, 2007. Identifying threats, values, and attributes in Brazilian wilderness areas
    Christensen, Neal; Watson, Alan E.; Burchfield, James, 2007. Relationships to place in wildland resources management: Developing an effective research approach
    Watson, Alan E.; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, 2007. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium
    Williams, Daniel R.; Watson, Alan E., 2007. Wilderness values: Perspectives from non-economic social science
    Watson, Alan E.; Borrie, William, 2006. Monitoring the Relationship Between the Public and Public Lands: Application to Wilderness Stewardship in the U.S.
    Knotek, Katie; Watson, Alan E., 2006. Organizational Characteristics that Contribute to Success in Engaging the Public to Accomplish Fuels Management at the Wilderness/Non-Wilderness Interface
    Watson, Alan E., 2005. Research on the relationship between humans and wilderness in Alaska
    Watson, Alan E.; Knotek, Katie; Christensen, Neal, 2005. Voices from Denali: "it's bigger than wilderness"
    Watson, Alan E.; Kneeshaw, Katie; Glaspell, Brian, 2004. A taste of the north: Voices from the wilderness about the wilderness character of Alaska
    Watson, Alan E., 2004. Human relationships with wilderness: The fundamental definition of wilderness character
    Schuster, Rudolph; Tarrant, Michael; Watson, Alan; Watson, Alan E., 2004. The Social Values of Wilderness
    Watson, Alan E.; Sproull, Janet, 2003. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Seventh World Wilderness Congress symposium; 2001 November 2-8; Port Elizabeth, South Africa
    Glaspell, Brian; Watson, Alan E.; Kneeshaw, Katie; Pendergrast, Don, 2003. Selecting indicators and understanding their role in wilderness experience stewardship at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
    Alessa, Lilian; Watson, Alan E., 2002. Growing pressures on Circumpolar North wilderness: A case for coordinated research and education
    Borrie, William T.; Christensen, Neal; Watson, Alan E.; Miller, Theron A.; McCollum, Daniel W., 2002. Public purpose recreation marketing: a focus on the relationships between the public and public lands
    Watson, Alan E.; Alessa, Lilian; Sproull, Janet, 2002. Wilderness in the Circumpolar North: searching for compatibility in ecological, traditional, and ecotourism values; 2001 May 15-16; Anchorage, AK
    Watson, Alan E., 2001. Goal interference and social value differences: understanding wilderness conflicts and implications for managing social density
    Dawson, Chad P.; Watson, Alan E., 2000. Measures of wilderness trip satisfaction and user perceptions of crowding
    Watson, Alan E.; Aplet, Greg H.; Hendee, John C., 2000. Personal, societal, and ecological values of wilderness: Sixth World Wilderness Congress proceedings on research, management, and allocation, Volume II
    Watson, Alan E.; Cole, David N.; Turner, David L.; Reynolds, Penny S., 2000. Wilderness recreation use estimation: a handbook of methods and systems
    Watson, Alan E., 2000. Wilderness use in the year 2000: societal changes that influence human relationships with wilderness
    Hendricks, William W.; Watson, Alan E., 1999. Wilderness Educators' Evaluation of the Impact Monster Program
    Watson, Alan E.; Cole, David N.; Friese, Gregory T.; Hendee, John C.; Landres, Peter B.; Geary, Thoms F.; Stokes, Gerald L.; Jarvis, Jeff; Henry, Wes, 1999. Wilderness uses, users, values, and management
    Patterson, Michael E.; Watson, Alan E.; Williams, Daniel R.; Roggenbuck, Joseph R., 1998. An hermeneutic approach to studying the nature of wilderness experiences
    Watson, Alan E.; Christensen, Neal A.; Blahna, Dale J.; Archibald, Kari S., 1998. Comparing manager and visitor perceptions of llama use in wilderness
    Watson, Alan E.; Cronn, Rich; Christensen, Neal A., 1998. Monitoring inter-group encounters in wilderness
    Watson, Alan E.; Aplet, Greg H.; Hendee, John C. comps., 1998. Personal, societal, and ecological values of wilderness: Sixth World Wilderness Congress proceedings on research, management, and allocation, Volume I
    Cable, Suzanne; Watson, Alan E., 1998. Recreation use allocation: alternative approaches for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
    Watson, Alan E.; Hendee, John C.; Zaglauer, Hans P., 1996. Human values and codes of behavior: Changes in Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness visitors and their attitudes
    Watson, Alan E.; Niccolucci, Michael J., 1995. Conflicting goals of wilderness management: natural conditions vs. natural experiences
    Watson, Alan E.; Kajala, Liisa, 1995. Intergroup conflict in wilderness: balancing opportunities for experience with preservation responsibility
    Watson, Alan E.; Cole, David N.; Roggenbuck, Joseph W., 1995. Trends in wilderness recreation use characteristics
    Landres, Peter B.; Cole, David N.; Watson, Alan E., 1994. A monitoring strategy for the national wilderness preservation system
    Watson, Alan E.; Niccolucci, M. J.; Williams, Daniel R., 1994. The nature of conflict between hikers and recreational stock users in the John Muir wilderness
    Watson, Alan E., 1993. Characteristics of visitors without permits compared to those with permits at the Desolation Wilderness, California
    Watson, Alan E.; Niccolucci, Michael J.; Williams, Daniel R., 1993. Hikers and recreational stock users: predicting and managing recreation conflicts in three wildernesses
    Love, Timothy G.; Watson, Alan E., 1992. Effects of the Gates Park Fire on recreation choices
    Watson, Alan E.; Cole, David N., 1992. LAC indicators: an evaluation of progress and list of proposed indicators
    Watson, Alan E.; Niccolucci, Michael J., 1992. Place of Residence and Hiker-Horse Conflict in the Sierras
    Watson, Alan E.; Williams, Daniel R.; Joseph W. Roggenbuck,; John J. Daigle,, 1992. Visitor characteristics and preferences for three National Forest wildernesses in the South
    Watson, Alan E.; Roggenbuck, Joseph W.; Williams, Daniel R., 1991. The influence of past experience on wilderness choice
    Watson, Alan E., 1990. Why is it important to monitor social conditions in wilderness?
    Watson, Alan E.; Cordell, H. Ken; Hartmann, Lawrence A., 1989. Characteristics of wilderness users in outdoor recreation assessments
    Watson, Alan E., 1989. Outdoor Recreation Benchmark 1988: Proceedings of the National Outdoor Recreation Forum
    Roggenbuck, Joseph W.; Watson, Alan E., 1989. Wilderness recreation use: the current situation
    Watson, Alan E., 1989. Wilderness visitor management practices: a benchmark and an assessment of progress
    Watson, Alan E.; Roggenbuck, Joseph W., 1985. Approximating recreation site choice: the predictive capability of a lexicographic semi-order model
    Participants sit at tables in a meeting hall, completing fun, interactive exercise

    A public engagement protocol: Social science in support of planning efforts

    Post date: September 10, 2019
    A recently released ‘social vulnerability’ protocol provides a detailed manual for applying social science to support forest and river planning efforts (e.g., forest plan revision). Specifically, the protocol is designed to engage the public about the importance of (and tradeoffs among) ecosystem services, as well as those drivers of change influential to such benefits.
    decorative image of native american artifacts

    Using traditional phenological knowledge

    Post date: March 29, 2018
    This research looks at opportunities to utilize traditional phenological knowledge to support adaptive management of social-ecological systems vulnerable to changes in climate and fire regimes. Integrating phenological knowledge into natural resource stewardship is important in making land management decisions. Indigenous knowledge of seasonal change adds a broader ecological knowledge base in the context of changing and vulnerable social and ecological systems. The knowledge gained from an ongoing relationship with the landscape and ecosystems therein holds potential for conservation, restoration, and adaptation. 
    The Rocky Mountain Research Station is a partner in helping to protect or restore relationships between residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Mission Mountain landscape.

    Understanding climate change trends on Tribal reservations

    Post date: October 14, 2016
    The Rocky Mountain Research Station, in partnership with the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of Montana, and the University of Leeds, UK, are working together to protect or restore relationships between residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Mission Mountain landscape within the reservation.

    Data archiving: 50 years of Wilderness science preserved for all time

    Post date: October 29, 2015
    For nearly 50 years, scientists at the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (established as the Forest Service Wilderness Management Research Unit in 1967) and their collaborators have compiled important research on natural and social science issues pertaining to wilderness. This archive neatly organizes such research, and makes it available to the public in digital format.
    Hikers in the Lost Coast Wilderness in California (USDA FS)

    Fifty years of research in Wilderness Areas

    Post date: October 14, 2015
    The Wilderness Act noted its 50th anniversary in the signing of the law in 2014. Leopold Institute scientists and partners contributed five major articles highlighting 50 years of Wilderness science.
    Past and ongoing research provides insights into the nature of wilderness experiences and the factors that influence experience quality (photo by David Cole, USFS).

    Wilderness Visitor Experience Workshop: Celebrating 50 years of wilderness research

    Post date: April 23, 2015
    The Wilderness Visitor Experience Workshop was held at the Lubrecht Experimental Forest near Missoula, MT, on April 4-7, 2011 with the purpose of celebrating lessons learned from half a century of research on visitor experience and preparing for the 50 years of wilderness research and stewardship.

    Social and economic impacts of cave closures to protect bat populations

    Post date: April 15, 2015
    All caves on the Monongahela National Forest, located in north central West Virginia, have been closed to public access since 2009 in response to the spread of White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats. WNS is caused by a fungus with pores transferred from one cave to another, potentially by people. A study of the caving community on the Monongahela National Forest was conducted to understand the likely social and economic impacts of these closures. 

    Simulating visitor travel in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

    Post date: April 15, 2015
    Researchers with the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute applied a computer simulation model to understand visitor travel through administratively established zones and use levels of backcountry campsites at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Superior National Forest. The model provides a user-friendly interface for interactive modeling and can output a variety of estimates about overnight visitor use. Current knowledge on visitor travel patterns is needed by managers to make decisions about entrance point quotas.
    The meanings of each place are revealed in the stories people tell about it (photo by Maria Stiefel).

    Concepts and measures of place meanings and attachment

    Post date: March 03, 2017
    Research on social-symbolic meanings is advancing our understanding of how recreation activity participation contributes to psychological well-being; how attachments to places contribute to a sense of meaning, identity, and community; how attachments vary across culture and affect local management regimes; and how place meanings and attachments affect natural resource conflicts. A key outcome of this work has been the development of standardized questionnaire instruments designed to measure place attachment among recreation site visitors and community residents.

    National Strategic Program Areas: 
    Wildland Fire and Fuels; Invasive Species; Outdoor Recreation; Resource Management and Use; Water, Air, and Soil; Wildlife and Fish; Inventory and Monitoring
    RMRS Science Program Areas: 
    Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute