[pct-l] Post-Survey of 2011 Thru-hiking Experience

[Rachel Liechty]

Dear Fellow 2011 PCT Thru-hikers,

You are invited to participate in a post-survey of your thru-hiking
experience from this past 2011 season. This survey serves as a look back on
your 2011 PCT experience. Some of you may have received the pre-survey I
sent out before the 2011 kicked off. This post-survey supplements the
previous online questionnaire many of you filled out, as well as the field
research piece out on the PCT, for my graduate thesis research project. This
post-survey serves as the final element to my graduate research; Your
feedback is extremely valuable and important!

If you would like to participate,  here is the link to the survey for you to
complete:


****Survey link:*

 http://edu.surveygizmo.com/s3/668354/Pacific-Crest-Trail-Post-Survey<http://edu.surveygizmo.com/s3/668354/Pacific-Crest-Trail-Post-Survey>




The survey should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have
any problems with the survey link please notify me immediately, and I will
re-send the link directly upon request.

Again, you were selected as a possible participant based upon research needs
and appropriate characteristics. The purpose of this survey is to gather
information about your post thru-hiking experiences.

Results may provide new understanding for the way natural resource managers
and researchers assess nature-based travel and recreation behavior; plan for
the distribution of resources for these purposes; and evaluation of policy
efforts when reflecting on the social impacts of thru-hiking. This study
intends to make further contributions towards academic research and to the
long-distance hiking community at large.

Response to this request is voluntary. By filling out this survey, your
consent is granted, and you agree to participate in the survey only. No
action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the information
requested. Your contact information is requested for follow-up purposes only
and will remain completely anonymous. When analysis of the questionnaire is
completed, all name files will be destroyed. Thus permanent data will be
anonymous.

Your participation will help to further knowledge and understanding about
recreation consumption environmental sustainability; moreover, how
particular characteristics of such experiences have practical implications
for land managers and policy makers. Your input is critical for the overall
long-distance hiking community and trail organizations, as well as for the
future preservation of generations who seek similar experiences along
national scenic trails.

On behalf of the Department of Natural Resources Science and Management at
the University of Minnesota, thank you for your time and consideration.  If
you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by phone at (612)
481-5604, or e-mail at wood0652 at umn.edu. *If you have any questions or
concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than
the researcher(s), you are encouraged to contact the Research Subjects’
Advocate Line, D528 Mayo, 420 Delaware St. Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55455; (612) 625-1650.*



Sincerely,


Rachel Liechty



M.S. Candidate: Recreation Resource Management, Nature-based Tourism, and
Environmental Education
Department of Natural Resources Science and Management
University of Minnesota
115 Green Hall
1530 Cleveland Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55108-1027

Phone: 612-481-5604
Email: wood0652 at umn.edu  * *



IRB Study #: 1102P95954