Emily J Wilkins, PhD (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Human dimensions in the context of natural resource management refers to understanding attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of American citizens in order to improve conservation and management of public lands and waters. Human Dimensions at the FORT also includes understanding the users and applications of data and technology in the context of natural resource management.
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE)
As part of the Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems project, also known as VaMPIRE, USGS scientists are developing a public participatory GIS application that aids in gathering information about visitors’ values for public lands and waters.
Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) Branch
The Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) branch is an interdisciplinary group of scientists whose primary functions are to conduct both theoretical and applied social science research, provide technical assistance, and offer training to support the development of skills in natural resource management activities.
Bureau of Land Management Recreational Visitor Data Program Review
The Bureau of Land Management Recreation and Visitor Services Program regularly conducts recreational visitor satisfaction surveys. The USGS Social and Economic Analysis Branch is assessing the visitor survey effort and recommending updates to the current effort.
Survey Responses Collected in 2024 Measuring End-users' and Experts' Experiences Being Engaged in Development of Scientific Tools Survey Responses Collected in 2024 Measuring End-users' and Experts' Experiences Being Engaged in Development of Scientific Tools
Engagement of end-users and fellow experts is fundamental to the creation of useful scientific tools. We conducted a survey-based research project to assist scientists responsible for creating scientific tools by evaluating their engagement of end-users and experts in the development of these tools. Our study includes a suite of six United States Geological Survey (USGS) projects that...
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems: Mojave Trails National Monument, California, 2024 Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems: Mojave Trails National Monument, California, 2024
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE) is a Public Participatory GIS tool developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management to aid in gathering information from the public about their values for public lands and waters. This contains data from 121 surveys returned in 2024 for the Mojave Trails National Monument in California...
Results of a U.S. General Public Survey to Inform the 2018 North American Waterfowl Management Plan Update (2017) Results of a U.S. General Public Survey to Inform the 2018 North American Waterfowl Management Plan Update (2017)
This contains data from 1,030 surveys returned in 2017 from across the United States. Data were collected via a mail-out survey stratified by the population of each state. Data collected include nature-related activity participation, attitudes and barriers to hunting and birdwatching, knowledge of others who hunt and birdwatch, preferred birds, involvement in conservation activities...
Filter Total Items: 20
National Park Service staff perspectives on how climate change affects visitor use National Park Service staff perspectives on how climate change affects visitor use
1. Many public lands, including those managed by the U.S. National Park Service(NPS), have the purpose of conserving natural and cultural resources and providing opportunities for visitors to recreate in and enjoy these areas. Achieving this mission becomes more challenging as drought, flooding, increasing temperatures and other climatic change effects are impacting NPS lands and...
Authors
Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Emily Wilkins, Wylie Carr, Samantha Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela Daniele, Spencer Wood
Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System
Research shows that climate change is already affecting both resources and visitors in U.S. National Parks. We sought to better understand if and how park staff across the National Park Service are adapting to climatic changes that affect visitor use, as well as barriers and challenges to adaptation and information needs. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 63 staff...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Samantha G. Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela B. Daniele, Spencer A. Wood
Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California
Many people ascribe a variety of values to public lands and waters, but some values are more difficult to assess and quantify than others. Public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) are tools that have been used to help quantify and map the public’s diverse values for a landscape. This work describes the first known Office of Management and Budget–approved use of PPGIS...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lindley, Karla Rogers, Rudy Schuster, Mark Hannon, Parker T. Rowland, Michael J. Runnels
Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Visitation estimation Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Visitation estimation
Federally managed public lands and waters attract millions of visitors each year, generating significant economic benefits for surrounding communities. Accurate visitation data are crucial for guiding policy decisions and managing resources effectively. This report explores the methods employed by agencies to collect and use data on recreational visitation to Federal lands and waters...
Authors
Dieta Hanson, Emily Wilkins, Spencer Wood, Christian Crowley, Whitney Boone, Rudy Schuster
The mountains are calling, but will visitors go? Modeling the effect of weather and air quality on visitation to Pacific Northwest parks and protected areas using mobile device data The mountains are calling, but will visitors go? Modeling the effect of weather and air quality on visitation to Pacific Northwest parks and protected areas using mobile device data
We investigated how visitors to federal, state, and local parks and protected areas (PPAs) respond to weather and air quality conditions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), United States. Specifically, we modeled the relationship between weekly visitation and mean weekly minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, Air Quality Index (AQI), and particulate matter 2.5 concentration (PM2.5...
Authors
Kira Minehart, Ashley D'Antonio, Emily Wilkins
A review of the effects of climate change on visitor use in US public lands and waters A review of the effects of climate change on visitor use in US public lands and waters
Climate change is affecting recreational visitor use in U.S. public lands and waters, causing changes to visitation levels, timing of trips, activity participation, and visitor safety. This report reviews the literature on how climate change is influencing visitor use in the United States and how visitor use may be affected in the future. Our goal is to provide the current state of the...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Julianne Reas, Samantha G. Winder, Spencer A. Wood
Trail sustainability broadly defined Trail sustainability broadly defined
In this paper we provide a concise yet comprehensive examination of the importance and sustainability of trail networks, considering a diverse array of perspectives. Sustainability related to recreation infrastructure elements has been variously defined, with different disciplines often only considering one or two aspects of sustainability. In the context of trail networks, we suggest...
Authors
Jeffrey Marion, Emily Wilkins
Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs
As of 2024, there are 32 National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHTs) in the system administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The BLM administers, manages, and protects 19 of these trails as part of its system of national conservation lands. Various laws, regulations, and policies require that the BLM...
Authors
Sarah Lindley, Emily Wilkins, Carin Farley, Karla Rogers, Rudy Schuster
Quantifying and evaluating strategies to decrease carbon dioxide emissions generated from tourism to Yellowstone National Park Quantifying and evaluating strategies to decrease carbon dioxide emissions generated from tourism to Yellowstone National Park
The tourism industry needs strategies to reduce emissions and hasten the achievement of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction targets. Using a case study approach, we estimated CO2 emissions related to park tourism in Yellowstone National Park (USA) generated from transit to and from the park, transit within the park, accommodations, and park operations. Results indicate tourism...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Dani Dagan, Jordan Smith
Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review
Weather, climate, and climate change all effect outdoor recreation and tourism, and will continue to cause a multitude of effects as the climate warms. We conduct a systematic literature review to better understand how weather, climate, and climate change affect outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism across the United States. We specifically explore how the effects differ by...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Lydia Horne
Novel data in recreation monitoring—Summary proceedings from interagency workshops in 2019 and 2023 Novel data in recreation monitoring—Summary proceedings from interagency workshops in 2019 and 2023
Two interagency workshops were held in 2019 and 2023 in Fort Collins, Colorado, to discuss the use of novel data in recreation monitoring. During the workshops, the phrase “novel data in recreation monitoring” was primarily used to refer to data from social media, mobile device applications, and other online secondary sources. The goals of these workshops were to share information across...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Christian Crowley, Eric White, Spencer A. Wood, Rudy Schuster
Perceived constraints to participating in wildlife-related recreation Perceived constraints to participating in wildlife-related recreation
Wildlife-related recreationists play an important role in conservation. Understanding constraints to wildlife-related activities is critical for maintaining or increasing participation in activities like birdwatching and hunting. A mail-out survey was administered to a generalized sample representative of U.S. residents (i.e., not specific to birdwatching or hunting) in early 2017 to...
Authors
Nicholas Cole, Emily Wilkins, Kaylin Clements, Rudy Schuster, Ashley A. Dayer, H. Harshaw, David Fulton, Jennifer N. Duberstein, Andrew H. Raedeke
Science and Products
Human Dimensions of Resource Management
Human dimensions in the context of natural resource management refers to understanding attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of American citizens in order to improve conservation and management of public lands and waters. Human Dimensions at the FORT also includes understanding the users and applications of data and technology in the context of natural resource management.
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE)
As part of the Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems project, also known as VaMPIRE, USGS scientists are developing a public participatory GIS application that aids in gathering information about visitors’ values for public lands and waters.
Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) Branch
The Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) branch is an interdisciplinary group of scientists whose primary functions are to conduct both theoretical and applied social science research, provide technical assistance, and offer training to support the development of skills in natural resource management activities.
Bureau of Land Management Recreational Visitor Data Program Review
The Bureau of Land Management Recreation and Visitor Services Program regularly conducts recreational visitor satisfaction surveys. The USGS Social and Economic Analysis Branch is assessing the visitor survey effort and recommending updates to the current effort.
Survey Responses Collected in 2024 Measuring End-users' and Experts' Experiences Being Engaged in Development of Scientific Tools Survey Responses Collected in 2024 Measuring End-users' and Experts' Experiences Being Engaged in Development of Scientific Tools
Engagement of end-users and fellow experts is fundamental to the creation of useful scientific tools. We conducted a survey-based research project to assist scientists responsible for creating scientific tools by evaluating their engagement of end-users and experts in the development of these tools. Our study includes a suite of six United States Geological Survey (USGS) projects that...
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems: Mojave Trails National Monument, California, 2024 Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems: Mojave Trails National Monument, California, 2024
Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE) is a Public Participatory GIS tool developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management to aid in gathering information from the public about their values for public lands and waters. This contains data from 121 surveys returned in 2024 for the Mojave Trails National Monument in California...
Results of a U.S. General Public Survey to Inform the 2018 North American Waterfowl Management Plan Update (2017) Results of a U.S. General Public Survey to Inform the 2018 North American Waterfowl Management Plan Update (2017)
This contains data from 1,030 surveys returned in 2017 from across the United States. Data were collected via a mail-out survey stratified by the population of each state. Data collected include nature-related activity participation, attitudes and barriers to hunting and birdwatching, knowledge of others who hunt and birdwatch, preferred birds, involvement in conservation activities...
Filter Total Items: 20
National Park Service staff perspectives on how climate change affects visitor use National Park Service staff perspectives on how climate change affects visitor use
1. Many public lands, including those managed by the U.S. National Park Service(NPS), have the purpose of conserving natural and cultural resources and providing opportunities for visitors to recreate in and enjoy these areas. Achieving this mission becomes more challenging as drought, flooding, increasing temperatures and other climatic change effects are impacting NPS lands and...
Authors
Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Emily Wilkins, Wylie Carr, Samantha Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela Daniele, Spencer Wood
Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System
Research shows that climate change is already affecting both resources and visitors in U.S. National Parks. We sought to better understand if and how park staff across the National Park Service are adapting to climatic changes that affect visitor use, as well as barriers and challenges to adaptation and information needs. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 63 staff...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Samantha G. Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela B. Daniele, Spencer A. Wood
Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California Using public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) to explore uses and values for Mojave Trails National Monument, California
Many people ascribe a variety of values to public lands and waters, but some values are more difficult to assess and quantify than others. Public participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) are tools that have been used to help quantify and map the public’s diverse values for a landscape. This work describes the first known Office of Management and Budget–approved use of PPGIS...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lindley, Karla Rogers, Rudy Schuster, Mark Hannon, Parker T. Rowland, Michael J. Runnels
Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Visitation estimation Monitoring recreation on federally managed lands and waters—Visitation estimation
Federally managed public lands and waters attract millions of visitors each year, generating significant economic benefits for surrounding communities. Accurate visitation data are crucial for guiding policy decisions and managing resources effectively. This report explores the methods employed by agencies to collect and use data on recreational visitation to Federal lands and waters...
Authors
Dieta Hanson, Emily Wilkins, Spencer Wood, Christian Crowley, Whitney Boone, Rudy Schuster
The mountains are calling, but will visitors go? Modeling the effect of weather and air quality on visitation to Pacific Northwest parks and protected areas using mobile device data The mountains are calling, but will visitors go? Modeling the effect of weather and air quality on visitation to Pacific Northwest parks and protected areas using mobile device data
We investigated how visitors to federal, state, and local parks and protected areas (PPAs) respond to weather and air quality conditions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), United States. Specifically, we modeled the relationship between weekly visitation and mean weekly minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, Air Quality Index (AQI), and particulate matter 2.5 concentration (PM2.5...
Authors
Kira Minehart, Ashley D'Antonio, Emily Wilkins
A review of the effects of climate change on visitor use in US public lands and waters A review of the effects of climate change on visitor use in US public lands and waters
Climate change is affecting recreational visitor use in U.S. public lands and waters, causing changes to visitation levels, timing of trips, activity participation, and visitor safety. This report reviews the literature on how climate change is influencing visitor use in the United States and how visitor use may be affected in the future. Our goal is to provide the current state of the...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Julianne Reas, Samantha G. Winder, Spencer A. Wood
Trail sustainability broadly defined Trail sustainability broadly defined
In this paper we provide a concise yet comprehensive examination of the importance and sustainability of trail networks, considering a diverse array of perspectives. Sustainability related to recreation infrastructure elements has been variously defined, with different disciplines often only considering one or two aspects of sustainability. In the context of trail networks, we suggest...
Authors
Jeffrey Marion, Emily Wilkins
Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs Delineating draft inventory analysis units for National Scenic and Historic Trails inventory, assessment, and monitoring programs
As of 2024, there are 32 National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHTs) in the system administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The BLM administers, manages, and protects 19 of these trails as part of its system of national conservation lands. Various laws, regulations, and policies require that the BLM...
Authors
Sarah Lindley, Emily Wilkins, Carin Farley, Karla Rogers, Rudy Schuster
Quantifying and evaluating strategies to decrease carbon dioxide emissions generated from tourism to Yellowstone National Park Quantifying and evaluating strategies to decrease carbon dioxide emissions generated from tourism to Yellowstone National Park
The tourism industry needs strategies to reduce emissions and hasten the achievement of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction targets. Using a case study approach, we estimated CO2 emissions related to park tourism in Yellowstone National Park (USA) generated from transit to and from the park, transit within the park, accommodations, and park operations. Results indicate tourism...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Dani Dagan, Jordan Smith
Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review Effects and perceptions of weather, climate, and climate change on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism in the United States: A systematic review
Weather, climate, and climate change all effect outdoor recreation and tourism, and will continue to cause a multitude of effects as the climate warms. We conduct a systematic literature review to better understand how weather, climate, and climate change affect outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism across the United States. We specifically explore how the effects differ by...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Lydia Horne
Novel data in recreation monitoring—Summary proceedings from interagency workshops in 2019 and 2023 Novel data in recreation monitoring—Summary proceedings from interagency workshops in 2019 and 2023
Two interagency workshops were held in 2019 and 2023 in Fort Collins, Colorado, to discuss the use of novel data in recreation monitoring. During the workshops, the phrase “novel data in recreation monitoring” was primarily used to refer to data from social media, mobile device applications, and other online secondary sources. The goals of these workshops were to share information across...
Authors
Emily Wilkins, Christian Crowley, Eric White, Spencer A. Wood, Rudy Schuster
Perceived constraints to participating in wildlife-related recreation Perceived constraints to participating in wildlife-related recreation
Wildlife-related recreationists play an important role in conservation. Understanding constraints to wildlife-related activities is critical for maintaining or increasing participation in activities like birdwatching and hunting. A mail-out survey was administered to a generalized sample representative of U.S. residents (i.e., not specific to birdwatching or hunting) in early 2017 to...
Authors
Nicholas Cole, Emily Wilkins, Kaylin Clements, Rudy Schuster, Ashley A. Dayer, H. Harshaw, David Fulton, Jennifer N. Duberstein, Andrew H. Raedeke