Applying the Theory of Access to understand access to camping on public lands: A complement to leisure constraints theory

Access to front-country camping on North American public lands has historically been preferential to those who are White, relatively wealthy, and highly educated. In theory, however, all activities on public lands are available to all people, and everyone has equal right to enjoy the benefits from recreational activities like camping in these spaces. Since the 1960s, research on access has focused on the barriers, or constraints, that influence overall participation in leisure activities. Few studies, however, have examined access to front-country camping. As a complement to leisure constraints theory, this study used Ribot and Peluso’s (2003) theory of access as a guide to examine constraints to front-country camping in the American West. Access theory focuses on the “ability” rather than the “right” to benefit, and this theory suggests there are several mechanisms of access that mediate how people directly or indirectly benefit from things like outdoor recreation. This study examined how six access mechanisms—Time, Technology, Capital, Social Identity, Social Relations, Rights-based Access, and Knowledge—mediate access to front-country camping on public lands. Data were collected in an on-site survey of campers at Curecanti National Recreation Area in Gunnison, Colorado during summer 2024. Access mechanisms were measured across 29 variables that were adapted from previous leisure constraints research. Sociodemographic variables were also measured. Data were analyzed to answer the following research questions: (1) Which mechanisms of access are most likely to be constrained among front-country campers? (2) Do the mechanisms of access vary between first-come, first-served campsites and advanced reservation-based campsites? By identifying key constraints to camping access, this research helps public land managers understand how different management practices—such as advanced reservation systems—may limit access to recreation opportunities for certain groups. The findings can guide future policies aimed at promoting more inclusive and equitable recreation on public lands

Episode 132: Feel the heat (with Jancitha Ellers, Enrico Rezende, & Wilco Verberk)

How do scientists measure thermal tolerance and predict organismal responses in the wild? What kind of other data is needed to make predictive models better at helping us understand species responses to high temperatures? In this special episode, roving podcaster Cameron Ghalambor went on the road to the University of Granada in Spain where he spoke about his own research in the symposium, Predictive Ecology in a Warming World. While there, Cam was inspired to get a few of the other experts into a room to talk about the broader field of predictive ecology, and this episode is the result. Guests on the episode include Jancitha Ellers, Professor at Vrije University of Amsterdam, Enrico Rezende, Associate Professor at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Wilco Verberk, Associate Professor at Radboud University. Cam and colleagues discuss the methods and tools they use to measure heat tolerance in insects, fish, and other ectothermic animals and how collecting and sharing trait data is important to inform and implement predictive models. Cover art: Keating Shahmehri.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/bigbiology_podcasts/1134/thumbnail.jp

Ensuring Treatment Fidelity

Some preschool children experience substantial difficulties saying speech sounds and being understood by others. They may receive intervention from a speech-language pathologist to help them increase their intelligibility. The intervention procedures require a high level of treatment fidelity, the implementation of detailed protocols to support consistent and effective treatment. Treatment fidelity is imperative while conducting research to maintain consistency and provide thorough procedures for future interventionists utilizing and replicating the research. The research questions are how to develop a checklist that outlines the procedures and documents accountability and credibility for treatment delivered in a group setting within a specialized clinic for preschool children ages 3-5 with a speech sound disorder and what are they key components of treatment fidelity. We collaborated with the clinical educator and graduate student clinicians who delivered the treatment to provide insight on the specific intervention procedures throughout the session. The procedural checklist reviews intervention practices of the speech clinic, training requirements, and session procedures that thoroughly described the treatment plan. The fidelity checklist provided a score of the outlined expectations of the intervention. The raw score yielded the percentage of consistent practice conducted. Using the checklist, coders observed a sample of recorded sessions to document the treatment fidelity of the procedures that were implemented. During this presentation, the treatment fidelity checklist that was developed, and the results of the scores across sessions will be presented. In addition, future strategies for improving the delivery of treatment procedures will be discussed

Juvenile Arthritis, Body Image, and Disordered Eating: An Exploration of Experiences

This qualitative study examined eating and body experiences among youth with juvenile arthritis (JA). JA, an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 300,000 youth in the United States, poses significant challenges including chronic pain, disability, and psychological concerns such as anxiety and depression. Although adolescence is a critical developmental time for body image and disordered eating concerns to emerge, no qualitative research has explored the interactions of JA, body image, and eating behaviors among youth. Twelve youth with a JA diagnosis participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview examining their experiences with JA and their feelings about their bodies and food as they relate to their disease. Interviews were transcribed, description-focused coding was generated, and the data was analyzed for themes. Four primary themes were identified: ability status, symptom severity, medication side effects, and dietary restrictions. Generally, participants attributed lower ability status, increased symptoms, medication side effects, and dietary restrictions to having a negative impact on their body image and relationship with food. However, participants also reported having more positive body image due to feeling stronger and more able-bodied during periods of remission. Findings indicate that mental health providers and JA specialists should be aware of the relationship between JA and eating pathology and body image concerns. The findings also suggest a need to develop eating disorder and body image prevention and interventions that specifically address aspects of juvenile arthritis and chronic illness management (i.e., medication side effects and dietary restrictions). Finally, given the relationship between physical and psychological health, there is a need for additional eating disorder and body image research in youth with autoimmune illnesses

Enhancing Empathy for Teachers through Interactive Video Game Mechanics

This project explores the power of game mechanics to cultivate empathy for educators by simulating the multifaceted challenges of teaching. While aspiring teachers may feel prepared through formal education, the realities of the profession, such as managing unpredictable classroom dynamics, asserting authority, and juggling a multitude of tasks—often reveal unexpected complexities. These struggles, though common, are rarely discussed openly for fear of discouraging prospective educators, leaving them unprepared for the realities of the field. Through the development of a serious game, I aim to illuminate these challenges in a controlled yet immersive environment. The game’s mechanics are meticulously designed to replicate the day-to-day experiences of educators, including classroom management, decision-making, and the cumulative stressors of the profession. By placing players in the role of a teacher, the gameplay invites them to grapple with these realities, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work of educators. Playtesting has been integral to this process, engaging teachers, non-teachers, and students to evaluate the game’s effectiveness in increasing empathy and awareness. Feedback will be collected through surveys, interviews, and behavioral observations, yielding valuable qualitative data to refine the experience. This project underscores the potential of serious games as tools for social insight and transformation. By simulating real-life scenarios, the game bridges the gap between perception and reality, creating an avenue for meaningful dialogue about the complexities of teaching. As this work evolves, future iterations will incorporate playtesting results, expanding the scope and refining the mechanics to enhance its impact. Through this game, I strive to spark conversations about the teaching profession and advocate for a greater appreciation of the dedication and resilience it demands

MIGRATIONS AND MALTHUSIAN DEMOGRAPHICS AMONGST TWO PIONEERING PALEO-INUIT TRADITIONS

Understanding the ways in which resource variability, environmental conditions, and cultural behavior impact population movements has been a central concern both within the subfield of arctic archeology and within anthropology as an overarching discipline. To provide insights into these questions in Greenlandic contexts, Saqqaq and Independence I occupation movements have been examined through an analysis of broad trends in the radiocarbon record throughout the duration of these two cultural traditions. While the ultimate goal of this analysis is to recognize patterns in occupational progressions as indicated by the radiocarbon record, the demographic and environmental forces of change involved in the colonization of Greenland have been addressed through comparisons with Holocene paleoclimate reconstructions and the use of Summed Probability Distributions (SPDs) of radiocarbon dates in conjunction with insights provided by the archeological record. Recognizing that questions of human ecology and adaptation cannot be answered adequately without examining the role of demographic variables, the contributions of Malthusian demographic theory in directly connecting ecological factors of production and distribution to the demographic history of a settlement offer further insights into the cycles of resource/population abundance and decline that may have contributed to hunter-gatherer migration decisions. Through the statistical and spatial analysis of radiocarbon dates and an analysis of environmental pressures within Malthusian frameworks, a better understanding of the environmental and demographic factors that may have informed the migration behavior of these highly mobile hunter-gather groups may be achieved

“I now have the freedom to do what I want, when I want, like anybody else”: The Impact, Creation, and Management of Transportation Voucher Programs

Poor access to transportation is associated with negative results in life outcomes such as health, quality of life, employment, and community participation. Rural people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to poor transportation access. Transportation voucher programs are an effective but underutilized resource that addresses transportation for rural people with disabilities. In this factsheet, RTC:Rural researchers explore how Center for Independent Living (CIL) staff establish and manage voucher programs, and illustrate how vouchers affected the people with disabilities who have used them

Analyzing Grizzly Bear Movement Patterns: Identifying Females with Newborn Cubs Using Telemetry Data

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) generally den in rugged, remote terrain during winter months. Females give birth to cubs in the den in mid to late winter and emerge in spring with highly vulnerable cubs. Detection of cub presence to date has generally relied on aerial surveys, which are costly and challenging, particularly in denning terrain. An understanding of the presence and survival of grizzly bear cubs after den emergence is thus generally limited. This information gap impedes an accurate assessment of reproductive rates, an understanding of which is particularly important in the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Recovery Ecosystems, where small populations can be particularly impacted by cub recruitment. Using post-den location data from 39 GPS-collared female grizzly bears in these populations, we aim to compare movement patterns using cumulative net displacement in an effort to differentiate females with newborn cubs, older young (1–2 years of age), and no offspring. We hypothesize that females with cubs will exhibit lower cumulative net displacement (a metric to quantify the total distance moved over a period of time) and reduced movements compared to females with older young or no offspring, because more females who localize their space use can conserve energy and improve survival of their cubs. This ongoing research will improve an understanding of grizzly bear ecology in the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Recovery Ecosystems

The Ingredients of Magic: Investigating Clinician and Patient Behaviors in Community Aphasia Group

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and about 1/3 of strokes result in aphasia. Aphasia is a language disorder that impairs the ability to comprehend or formulate language. One beneficial rehabilitative treatment for aphasia is group therapy. Group therapy for people with aphasia (PWA) has been reported by clinicians and clients as having an aspect of “magic”. This “magic” has been described as a feeling, atmosphere, energy, or a vibe. Although these group characteristics have yet to be fully identified, they are reported to be an essential part of the success of group therapy. To identify the seemingly secret ingredients to “magic”, we will observe the University of Montana’s Community Aphasia Group (CAG), that is implemented by graduate student clinicians in speech-language pathology. The CAG meets weekly for 1 hour and includes 3-10 PWA across a range of aphasia types and severities. The CAG provides social opportunities and enhances language skills for PWA. We will observe CAG sessions and document clinician behaviors and patient engagement behaviors during moments that feel positive, motivating, and sincere to create a comprehensive list of identified “magic” features. Communication barriers associated with aphasia often decrease quality of life, increase emotional distress, and cause social isolation. This study will investigate the moments of magic that occur during group therapy. Ultimately, these findings will help researchers and clinicians implement high-quality, meaningful group therapy for PWA