National Visitor Use Monitoring Intern Team

Be a part of a team of three performing U.S. Forest Service National Visitor Use Monitoring, collecting visitor survey data at Allegheny National Forest for 13 months. The National Visitor Use Monitoring program surveys over 100,000 visitors to National Forest System lands every five years, with 20% of the national forests conducting surveys each year. This nationwide visitor use survey provides statistically sound estimates of visitation to each national forest and to each site type. The surveys also provides information about who these visitors are demographically, why they come to the national forests, how satisfied they are with the facilities and services provided, and how much money they spend on their visit.

Team members will assist with social science research and data collection in the Forest. Members will engage in multiple steps in the social science research process. Data topics include estimates of the volume of recreation visitation to National Forest, descriptive information about that visitation, including activity participation, demographics, visit duration, measures of satisfaction, and trip spending connected to the visit. Results of the study will be used to help the U.S. Forest Service develop recreation and natural areas management plans and programs.

Members will spend the first month learning how to do Visitor Use Monitoring for the USFS.