Robert G. Dvorak

The spiritual dimension of the Montana vacation experience.

Abstract This study explored the deeper meaning of a vacation experience in Montana. In‐depth interviews of non‐resident vacation visitors were conducted which asked visitors to describe their vacation and what it meant to them. Results revealed a previously unknown spiritual dimension associated with visiting Montana. Forty percent of the visitors portrayed their vacation experience in Montana using terms that connote spiritual meaning. This spiritual dimension was described with four themes: (1) creation perspectives; (2) nature‐based perspectives; (3) tranquility and transcendence; and, (4) re‐centering, refocusing, and getting away. Visitor expressions reflected a strong emotional reaction to the nature and landscapes experienced in Montana. Visitors’ unsolicited comments described feelings such as closeness to God, appreciation of the creator, a sense of peace and serenity, an appreciation of all things natural, and a feeling of being blessed. Previous research on leisure and spirituality has identified time, space, nature, and quiet as facilitators of spiritual experiences. This study confirmed that time available in a stress‐free environment (vacation and nature) facilitates spiritual expression.

Wildlife Feeding in Parks: Methods for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Educational Interventions and Wildlife Food Attraction Behaviors

Opportunities to view and interact with wildlife are often an important part of high quality recreational experiences. Such interactions frequently include wildlife feeding, resulting in food-conditioned behaviors that may cause harm to both wildlife and visitors. This study developed and applied efficient protocols for simultaneously evaluating wildlife feeding–related behaviors of visitors and related foraging behaviors of chipmunks along a trail in Zion National Park. Unobtrusive observation protocols permitted an evaluation of educational messages delivered, and documentation of wildlife success in obtaining human food and the strength of their food attraction behavior. Significant improvements were documented for some targeted visitor behaviors and human food available to chipmunks, with minor differences between treatments. Replication of these protocols as part of a long-term monitoring program can help protected area managers evaluate and improve the efficacy of their interventions and monitor the strength of food attraction behavior in wildlife.

Personal Wilderness Relationships: Building on a Transactional Approach

Wilderness managers are charged with the challenging goal of balancing resource protection and experience quality across a broad, value-laden landscape. While research has provided insight into visitors’ motivations and their meanings for wilderness, a struggle exists to implement experiential concepts within current management frameworks. This research posits the human experience of wilderness to be an evolving, enduring relationship, and that research needs can be addressed by conceptualizing and investigating an individuals’ personal wilderness relationship. The purpose of this study was to explore wilderness relationships of visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. A predictive model was proposed to investigate the internal dimensions of a visitor’s wilderness relationship. A mail-back questionnaire was distributed during the summer of 2007, resulting in a sample of 564 respondents. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Results from testing several relationship models provided support for a multidimensional structure consisting of five factors with a single overarching relationship factor. The preferred relationship model indicated the importance of identities and attachment in place relationships. Trust and commitment toward management were also important considerations. This research provided the preliminary evidence for a multidimensional wilderness relationship model and complements a perspective of wilderness experiences as wilderness. Findings may help to reframe decision-making and public-input processes that guide management actions to increased wilderness character protection and facilitate quality wilderness experiences.

Benefits of leisure activities for health and life satisfaction among Western migrants

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the particular types of leisure activities and physical and mental health and life satisfaction among Western migrants who moved to South Korea. The total of 262 Western migrants participated in this study. The result of this study found that life satisfaction had a significant relationship with outdoor activities, physical activities, and home-centred and social activities. Participation in outdoor activities and physical activities predicts physical health; home-centred and social activity participation was positively associated with good mental health. This study provides evidence that various leisure activities resulted in health and life satisfaction among Western migrants.