The research is focused on understanding and characterizing visitor experiences at specific stations across the national wildlife refuge system

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654) provides $125,119.00 to Clemson University to conduct research focused on understanding and characterizing visitor experiences at stations across the National Wildlife Refuge System. The research involves implementing the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey to monitor visitor characteristics, experiences, and satisfaction, as well as evaluate visitor economic contributions to local communities. The results will inform refuge managers, planners, and visitor services professionals to assist in planning for visitor use, improving visitor facilities, enhancing the visitor experience while protecting resources, and tracking changes in visitation over the award period from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026.

The national wildlife refuge visitor survey is implemented across the system to monitor visitor characteristics, experiences, and satisfaction with their refuge experiences, as well as evaluate visitor economic contributions to local communities. The results of this project will provide information for refuge managers, planners, and visitor services professionals to assist in 1. Planning related to visitor use, 2. Improving the design of visitor services processionals of visitor facilities, 3, enhancing the visitor experience while protecting important natural and cultural resources, 4. Understanding the economic contributions of visitors to local communities and 5, tracking changes in visitation related to demographics, experiences, and preferences.