Date of Award
Summer 8-22-2025
Level of Access Assigned by Author
Open-Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Forest Resources
First Committee Advisor
Sandra De Urioste-Stone
Second Committee Member
John Daigle
Third Committee Member
Adam Gibson
Abstract
Acadia National Park (ANP), a federally protected natural area with a wide variety of recreational opportunities, is in the process of restoring lost summit vegetation on summits due to trampling from high recreational use. The Park administration is working on Sargent, Penobscot, and Cadillac Mountains with a learning-based approach to restoration. Sargent and Penobscot Mountains have received restoration work starting in 2022, with Cadillac having restoration work since the early 2000s. This exploratory social science research study investigates how to best support the restoration efforts through the use of various research methods. The research aims to (1) analyze differences in motivations, behavioral intent, and demographics between different summit visitors; (2) better understand visitor movement patterns; and (3) test different management strategies to employ on summits to deter visitors from trampling on restoration areas. To test for the most effective strategy, a survey was utilized in tandem with observations at the summits. For the survey component, an in-person survey was distributed on Sargent and Cadillac Mountains. For the observation component, visitor behavior and movement patterns at the summit were recorded to assist in testing the efficacy of the different treatment methods and track visitor movement patterns. Results indicate that visitors are supportive of the restoration work that management is doing. Visitors were also more likely to be willing to donate money to support the efforts compared to volunteering their time. In addition, very few visitors were observed walking on the restoration plots during all of the treatment methods testing periods. Conclusions support the use of a sign, a steward, or ropes as possible management strategies ANP could employ, as results indicate Sargent visitors accept each method. In addition, Sargent and Cadillac visitors mostly aligned on their perceptions of different management strategies, implying that the National Park Service (NPS) could use strategies on Sargent Mountain that are already employed on Cadillac Mountain. The results of this research will be presented to ANP’s management team to inform decision making for the next season of vegetation restoration. Likewise, the results may be applicable to other land management agencies engaging in summit vegetation restoration, especially those in the Northeast who have similar landscapes to Acadia’s summits and similarities in visitor types. This thesis contains the culmination of six years of higher education and professional work experience from the perspective of a graduate student. The thesis describes how I came to be in this graduate student role and all of my academic and professional experiences that informed this master’s thesis project.
Recommended Citation
Bogner, Margaret, "Exploring Visitor Perceptions of Summit Vegetation Restoration in Acadia National Park" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4285.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/4285