Quaking Aspen and the Human Experience: Dimensions, Issues, and Challenges

Humans assign four types of meanings to aspen landscapes: (1) instrumen- tal meanings dealing with the attainment of a goal—such as production of pulp or provision of recreation opportunities; (2) aesthetic meanings; (3) cultural/symbolic meanings dealing with spiritual and social attachments to landscapes; and (4) individual/expressive meanings derived out of interactions with aspen landscapes at the personal level. The amount of knowledge available for each meaning varies, with most knowledge developed for instrumental meanings. Management of aspen occurs within a dynamic social and political context, with greater emphasis being placed on the latter two meanings, but without the empirical, positivist basis to support actions. Therefore, a change in the planning paradigm used to develop decisions is needed. I wonder about the trees. Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our Dwelling place? Robert Frost, The Sound of the Tree

Protecting America\u27s precious places

America\u27s 90 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System requires an active management program to protect the values it protects. This paper suggests that several issues confront the process of developing an adequate and appropriate management program: (1) lack of understanding of the meaning of wilderness: (2) lack of knowledge of natural processes and wilderness clientele: (3) inadequate education and training of wilderness managers: (4) poor understanding of the social and economic consequences of maintaining natural processes: and to often viewing wilderness as a primitive recreation area. Four principles for developing management actions are identified: (1) maintenance of ecological processes and natural conditions should govern management: (2) wilderness dependent human uses should be emphasized: (3) involve the public in wilderness management planning: and (4) avoid actions that intrude into experiences

Tourism and protected areas: A growing nexus of challenge and opportunity

Three significant trends are converging with the result of increasing the importance of understanding and managing the nexus of tourism and protected areas. Firstly, international travel and tourism continues to grow significantly, resulting in more people wanting to visit, learn and appreciate their natural and cultural heritage. Secondly, international conservation efforts are increasingly dependent on protected areas serving as the cornerstone of slowing (ideally stopping) the loss of biological diversity. Thirdly, demands from society on protected areas are not only increasing, they are diversifying as well. Increased demand is, in part, the result of a growing human population that competes for space with natural areas and its wildlife through other land uses such as agriculture. Diversifying because protected areas are increasingly viewed as a source of monetary revenue and ecosystem-based benefits, such as health for humans, as engines of local livelihood development, as mechanisms for catalysing \u27peace\u27 on a transboundary scale and even as models of governance. These three trends accelerate the need for not only greater institutional capability to manage visitors and tourism development - which are amongst the most significant capacity needs, according to the World Commission on Protected Areas (2012) - but also more knowledge about visitor preferences, their behaviour, needs, spending patterns and social and environmental impacts. The convergence of these three trends also poses new challenges and opportunities not just for the conservation movement but for civil society as well

Research Note, February 1985

This is issue 22: Thinning and Scenic Attractiveness in Second-Growth Forests: A Preliminary Assessmenthttps://scholarworks.umt.edu/montana_forestry_notes/1018/thumbnail.jp

The Glacier National Park Visitor Use Study

Presents results of a survey of Glacier National Park visitors from November 1992 to October 1993. Seasonal visitor demographic characteristics and trip characteristics are presented as well as visitor expectations, preferences, perceptions, and satisfactions

An Estimate of Backcountry Day Use of Glacier National Park

Estimates the number of people entering the Glacier National Park backcountry for the summer season of 1988 using infrared beam-activated photography, embedded vibration sensing counters, and trailhead registration validated by personal observation. The study also developed an equation to estimate use levels in future seasons at low cost

The study design and rationale of the randomized controlled trial: translating COPD guidelines into primary care practice

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, debilitating disease associated with significant clinical burden and is estimated to affect 15 million individuals in the US. Although a large number of individuals are diagnosed with COPD, many individuals still remain undiagnosed due to the slow progression of the disorder and lack of recognition of early symptoms. Not only is there under-diagnosis but there is also evidence of sub-optimal evidence-based treatment of those who have COPD. Despite the development of international COPD guidelines, many primary care physicians who care for the majority of patients with COPD are not translating this evidence into effective clinical practice. Method/Design This paper describes the design and rationale for a randomized, cluster design trial (RCT) aimed at translating the COPD evidence-based guidelines into clinical care in primary care practices. During Phase 1, a needs assessment evaluated barriers and facilitators to implementation of COPD guidelines into clinical practice through focus groups of primary care patients and providers. Using formative evaluation and feedback from focus groups, three tools were developed. These include a computerized patient activation tool (an interactive iPad with wireless data transfer to the spirometer); a web-based COPD guideline tool to be used by primary care providers as a decision support tool; and a COPD patient education toolkit to be used by the practice team. During phase II, an RCT will be performed with one year of intervention within 30 primary care practices. The effectiveness of the materials developed in Phase I are being tested in Phase II regarding physician performance of COPD guideline implementation and the improvement in the clinically relevant outcomes (appropriate diagnosis and management of COPD) compared to usual care. We will also examine the use of a patient activation tool - ‘MyLungAge’ - to prompt patients at risk for or who have COPD to request spirometry confirmation and to request support for smoking cessation if a smoker. Discussion Using a multi-modal intervention of patient activation and a technology-supported health care provider team, we are testing the effectiveness of this intervention in activating patients and improving physician performance around COPD guideline implementation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0123756