Visitor Management Policy of Protected Areas in Canada and the United States

1. Visitor Management Policy of Protected Areas in Canada and the United States By Kris Hyslop Advisor: Dr. Paul Eagles ERS 491

2. Introduction • Purpose: To determine whether or not visitor policy exists, what type, and the policy environment of each type of protected area management agency • Definition of ‘visitor’ • Definition of ‘policy’

3. Methodology • Initial literature search including agency websites • Search for suggested visitor management policies • Creation of Table 1 – Visitor Management Policy • Locate policy documents • Review of findings

4. History • Similar histories of national parks • Similar purposes • Initially divergent strategies • Legal separation of wildlife areas • Main function • Current protected areas management • 4 responsible agencies

5. Findings – Parks Canada • Main sources of policy information • Guiding Principles and Operational Policies • Agency reports and a guide for managers • 22 of 30 visitor policy topics addressed • Ability to attain agency objectives • Education opportunities • Expansion of system

6. Findings – U.S. National Park Service • Main sources of policy information • Management Policies 2001 • 24 of 30 visitor policy topics addressed • Ability to attain agency objectives • Substantial budget and staff numbers • Visitor tracking and surveys

7. Findings – Canadian National Wildlife Areas • Main sources of policy information • Canadian Nature Federation document • Planning and policy documents • 6 of 30 visitor policy topics addressed • Ability to attain agency objectives • Critical lack of funding and staff • Inability to maintain or expand system

8. Findings – U.S. National Wildlife Reserves • Main sources of policy information • Policy document • Document regarding refuge use • 15 of 30 visitor policy topics addressed • Ability to attain agency objectives • Limited funding and staff numbers • Lack of clear goals

9. Conclusions: Table 2 – Agency Policy and Resources

10. Conclusions: Table 3 – Resources Available to Each Agency

11. Conclusions • Positive correlation between resources available and quality of visitor policy • Visitor policy often difficult to locate • Single documents more comprehensive • Multiple documents were piece-meal • Link between encouraged visitation and increased funding

12. Acknowledgments Thank you to Dr. Paul Eagles for his multiple reviews and help with finding sources. Thank you also to Dr. Mary-Louise McAllister for her assistance.