Leave No Trace in the Frontcountry: Assessing Knowledge and Behaviors Before and After a Targeted Messaging Intervention

Abstract

Leave No Trace’s efforts have historically focused on backcountry sites, but the (im)balance between visitation and conservation objectives is more prominent at frontcountry locations. Our research investigated the effectiveness of LNT signage at two frontcountry sites in western, North Carolina. Through 1,182 surveys and observations of visitor behavior, we evaluated users’ self-reported and assessed LNT knowledge, behaviors, and how they changed before and after an intervention (i.e., installation of LNT-focused signage at the treatment site). Survey results revealed that seeing any LNT-related signs influenced visitor’s perceived knowledge and behaviors on site. Behavior observations showed a significant decrease in social trail use at the treatment site. Treatment effects were small, though, and only 13.1% of visitors stopped to read the new signs. Future research could explore how different messaging approaches could improve the efficacy of signage, helping to target specific LNT behaviors that are most relevant in frontcountry settings.

Keywords

communication environmental impacts message testing recreation ecology sign visitor use management Leave No Trace frontcountry

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