Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture: A Survey of the Perceptions of the Residents of Cortland & Tompk

1. Lime Hollow Center for Environment & Culture: A Survey of the Perceptions of the Residents of Cortland & Tompkins Counties REC 407: Evaluation and Research Class Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department

2. Dr. Lynn Anderson Ben Banker John Gus Banuski Amber Busby Adam Campbell Megan Ellison Amanda Florance Bill Hein Jenna Holden Brett Keating Mitch Lemery Catie Maczko Kurt Madden Juleen Matthews Matt Porebski Brendan Rafferty Charles Rhode Dan Shearin Jen Stark Tom Szevin Jacky Thomson Erik Wilson REC 407 Evaluation & Research ClassResearch Team

3. Purpose of the Study • To determine how LHCEC can best meet the needs of the greater Cortland/Ithaca area while still remaining true to its mission • To examine the current perceptions and knowledge of Lime Hollow • To identify the outdoor recreation/ outdoor education interests of the community at large

4. Lime Hollow History • Glaciers formed Lime Hollow’s natural features • Lime Hollow area contains many unique features • Marl ponds, bogs, vernal pools • Excellent aquifer • Lehigh Valley Rail (abandoned its use in 1960) • LHNC founded in 1993 • Culmination of efforts over twenty years

5. Today… • 2007 – new visitor center opened • Exhibits, educational displays, gift shop • 2009 – Lime Hollow received over 20,000 visitors • Many programs • Creatures of the Night, Art Fest, Maple Sugaring Day, a Fishing Festival, Snake Night, and Birds of Prey, Summer camp • Over 3,000 student visits every year • Only 2 full-time staff

6. Summary of the 2002 Study • Study completed by RPLS faculty and graduate students • Public telephone survey • Lime Hollow member mailed survey

7. Summary of the 2002 Study • Majority of population saw a need for environmental education • Lime Hollow played an important role in the Cortland/Ithaca area

8. Summary of the 2002 Study • Main reason for not being involved with Lime Hollow was lack of awareness • Newspapers were the best way to spread awareness of Lime Hollow • Support for a new visitor center

9. Why does LHCEC need this study now? • Strategic planning • Decision-making • Program, facility and service development • Grant applications • Facility improvement

10. Review of Related Literature • People and nature • Benefits of environmental/outdoor education

11. Review of Related Literature • Benefits of camp • Economic impacts

12. Methods – Member Survey Sections of Survey Current membership, activities, and participation Evaluation of current programs and facilities Evaluation and input of camp programming Input on future programs, services, and facilities Facilitators and benefits Demographics Member survey link: http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p2KK796

13. Methods – Member Survey • Procedures • Email survey • Asked to complete it within two weeks of receiving it • A secondary reminder e-mail • Opportunity to enter a drawing for free week of summer camp, a hoodie, or free holiday tree after completing the survey • Sampling • All members of Lime Hollow

14. Methods – Public Survey • 23 questions to assess the general public’s awareness, ideas, and opinions about Lime Hollow • Reasons to attend Lime Hollow and other nature centers • Program and facility interest • Facilitators and benefits • Demographics • Link to public survey: http://survey.cortland.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=p2KK896

15. Methods – Public Survey Sampling: • Population • Tompkins County (approx. 102,000) • Cortland County (approx. 48,000) • Systematic random sample • Every 3rd person over 3 days at a large community business that serves the region • Sample size needed • 380 with a 5% margin of error

16. Methods – Public Survey • As customers entered the new Super Walmart, we systematically surveyed them using iPads • Students greeted every 3rd person and gave a brief introduction to the survey • Lime Hollow donated items to raffle off for those who completed a survey and entered the drawing

19. Data Analysis • Descriptive statistics using Select Survey and Excel

20. Results • Public survey response rate: • Approximately 42% • N = 368 • Margin of error = +/-5% • Member survey response rate: • Approximately 35% • N = 105 • Margin of error = +/- 7%

21. Description of Survey Respondents

22. Age and Gender of Respondents in the Public Sample

23. Age and Gender of Respondents in the Member Sample

24. Respondent Member Households with Children Analysis of public households with children is in progress

25. Where do you reside?

26. How long have you resided in the area?(members only)

27. Years as Member of Lime Hollow

28. Type of Membership

29. PublicAwareness of Nature Centers and Lime Hollow

30. What nature centers are you familiar with by name?

31. Been to Lime Hollow?

32. How did the public rate visits to Lime Hollow?

33. Why the Public Visits Lime Hollow

34. More Information About Lime Hollow?

35. Public and Member Use of Nature Centers

36. Frequency of Lime Hollow Visits

37. How often do you visitother nearby nature centers?

38. Which other nature centers do you visit?

39. What season do you use Lime Hollow most?(members only)

40. Which facilities do members use the most at Lime Hollow?

41. ProgramInterest

42. Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s Ongoing Programs

43. Public Interest in Lime Hollow’s Seasonal Programs

44. Other Programs the Public Suggested

45. Member Interest in New Children’s Programs

46. Member Interest in Childcare Services

47. Member Interest in Winter Programs

48. More Winter Use if Programs Were Offered

49. Member Interest in Family Programs

50. Other suggestions for programs: • Themes: • Suggestions for facilities • Suggestions for programs • Suggestions for environmental education