View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

The Impact of On-Site Educational Outreach on Recreational Users' Perceptions of Aquatic Invasive Species and Their Management

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Impact of On-Site Educational Outreach on Recreational Users' Perceptions of Aquatic Invasive Species and Their Management
Language: English
Authors: Sharp, Ryan L., Cleckner, Lisa B., DePillo, Sarah
Source: Environmental Education Research. 2017 23(8):1200-1210.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2017
Sponsoring Agency: US Fish & Wildlife Service (DOI)
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Outreach Programs, Aquatic Sports, Environmental Education, Surveys, Program Effectiveness, Recreational Activities, Ecology, Public Opinion, Knowledge Level, Attitude Measures, Statistical Analysis, Plants (Botany), Animals
Geographic Terms: New York
DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2016.1174983
ISSN: 1350-4622
Abstract: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) present a great challenge to ecosystems around the globe, and controlling AIS becomes increasingly difficult when the potential vectors are related to recreational activities. An approach combining education and outreach efforts to control AIS may be the best course of action. A survey was designed to measure public perceptions, knowledge of, and attitudes towards AIS, as well as public support for various management actions. Surveys were administered during the summer of 2013 at two boat launches where one launch had active outreach the previous summer and one that did not. A total of 400 surveys were completed with a response rate of 89%. There was support for most proposed management options, and respondents understood the urgency of managing AIS. There was a difference between the launches in how people responded, highlighting that educational programming may need to be tailored for specific recreational uses and recreational settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 43
Entry Date: 2017
Accession Number: EJ1149441
Database: ERIC
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
    Url: https://content.ebscohost.com/cds/retrieve?content=AQICAHj0k_4E0hTGH8RJwT4gCJyBsGNe_WN95AvKlDbXJGqwxwHSbBtcM7qlPcCqINWCJPtJAAAA4zCB4AYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoIHSMIHPAgEAMIHJBgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHgYJYIZIAWUDBAEuMBEEDBKLUOrxdM3lzSp8-AIBEICBm1-quLhfHddhn7C58u88WyPssEJ7N37p0lDxOinkiWp-nsPki71wUXg6KZsSOgVL7rQFcqi1JMtHPLkV3dUGMVBuCdz7IT8cYW-y9TzD0q757ztzvl4G935o-t1gZqnf_u2nIAzBqbO9rAQJfrwdqEd6bGYZFQq9iwIVMAiFXHDB26nhs4CK34uJ_SFsIsiHgTeaPc87afQMAgjA
Text:
  Availability: 1
  Value: <anid>AN0124423705;eed15sep.17;2019Feb20.14:24;v2.2.500</anid> <title id="AN0124423705-1">The impact of on-site educational outreach on recreational users' perceptions of aquatic invasive species and their management. </title> <p>Aquatic invasive species (AIS) present a great challenge to ecosystems around the globe, and controlling AIS becomes increasingly difficult when the potential vectors are related to recreational activities. An approach combining education and outreach efforts to control AIS may be the best course of action. A survey was designed to measure public perceptions, knowledge of, and attitudes towards AIS, as well as public support for various management actions. Surveys were administered during the summer of 2013 at two boat launches where one launch had active outreach the previous summer and one that did not. A total of 400 surveys were completed with a response rate of 89%. There was support for most proposed management options, and respondents understood the urgency of managing AIS. There was a difference between the launches in how people responded, highlighting that educational programming may need to be tailored for specific recreational uses and recreational settings.</p> <p>Keywords: Recreation; aquatic invasive species; education; management</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-2">Introduction</hd> <p>Aquatic invasive species (AIS) present a great challenge to waters and ecosystems around the globe, and may be one of the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century (Lockwood, Hoopes, and Marchetti [<reflink idref="bib22" id="ref1">22</reflink>]). AIS can be extremely problematic for several reasons, including their tendency to eliminate native species, disrupt ecosystem functions, and inhibit use of water for numerous purposes including recreation and agriculture. AIS can also be economically detrimental, as the cost of management and/or eradication is high in most cases. Additionally, the economic gain that is normally derived from tourism and recreation in many water bodies can be lost if the uses are inhibited by AIS. Therefore, a preventative approach to AIS may be the most cost-effective option (White House Council on Environmental Quality [<reflink idref="bib41" id="ref2">41</reflink>]).</p> <p>Once AIS establish themselves at a certain level, it becomes increasingly difficult to eradicate. Thus, the best strategy to manage AIS is to prevent them from entering a water body (Hermoso et al. [<reflink idref="bib16" id="ref3">16</reflink>]). Although this may be a viable strategy, it becomes increasingly complicated when the potential vectors are related to recreational activities. Many different recreational activities can contribute to the spread of AIS (e.g. fishing, swimming); however, recreational boating has the potential to spread AIS within a body of water, and from one body of water to another. Many recreational boaters, such as anglers, canoers, and kayakers, enjoy partaking in their chosen activity in many different locations. It is not uncommon for boaters to recreate on several different bodies of water in a given year. This is especially true in regions that have many lakes that are either directly connected, or within a short drive of each other, and offer tremendous opportunities for water based recreation. Thus, the opportunity strongly exists for the transport of AIS from lake to lake if the boat owners do not take proper means of care. Several regulatory organizations have begun to understand this threat to the recreational experiences and the related economic questions of the impact of AIS. This recognition has led to the idea that prevention is much more cost effective and realistic than control.</p> <p>A preventative approach strategy is comprised of avoiding the introduction of new AIS, and controlling existing AIS and the vectors by which they enter water bodies. Furthermore, establishing and disseminating materials to remind and educate lake users about how to care responsibly for their lakes through inspecting and cleaning their watercrafts is crucial. More regulation focusing on AIS would likely result in decreased spread of AIS, improved protocols for rapid detection and response, and garnering international cooperation (Ecology and Environment [<reflink idref="bib8" id="ref4">8</reflink>]). This study aims to highlight how educational efforts may or may not help in the reduction of the transportation, and thus the spread, of AIS.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-3">Literature review</hd> <p>Biological invasions are widely viewed as one of the largest environmental issues of modern times (Didham et al. [<reflink idref="bib7" id="ref5">7</reflink>]). Although the ecological impacts of invasive species are well documented (e.g. Veblen et al. [<reflink idref="bib39" id="ref6">39</reflink>]), few studies have investigated the economic and socio-cultural consequences associated with species invasions (McNeely, [<reflink idref="bib27" id="ref7">27</reflink>]), especially in a recreational setting (Howell, Shaw, and Alvarez [<reflink idref="bib17" id="ref8">17</reflink>]). Additional research is needed to understand these social dimensions of invasive species and increase stakeholder participation in invasive species management (White et al. [<reflink idref="bib42" id="ref9">42</reflink>]). In fact, the public is often confused about invasive species, and tends to receive a mixed message about their impacts and methods to control them (Lodge and Shrader-Frechette [<reflink idref="bib23" id="ref10">23</reflink>]; Sharp, Larson, and Green [<reflink idref="bib35" id="ref11">35</reflink>]). This is particularly true in the case of AIS. AIS, such as Eurasian watermilfoil (<emph>Myriophyllum spicatum</emph>), hydrilla (<emph>Hydrilla verticillata</emph>), water chestnut (<emph>Trapa natans</emph>), zebra mussels (<emph>Dreissena polymorpha</emph>) and spiny waterflea (<emph>Bythotrephes longimanus),</emph> can have local or widespread impacts on native ecosystems once they have become established. AIS can also have a negative impact on economies that rely on the tourism generated by recreational activities that are dependent on water quality, such as fishing and boating (Zhang and Boyle [<reflink idref="bib43" id="ref12">43</reflink>]). For these reasons, educating and involving the public in policy and research related to AIS is crucial in raising awareness to help slow the spread of AIS (Eiswerth, Yen, and Kooten [<reflink idref="bib9" id="ref13">9</reflink>]). As previously mentioned, many studies have been conducted on the biological impacts of AIS, but the social impacts can no longer be ignored. Studies related to AIS must include social scholarship, or run the risk of alienating the public's concerns (Chan et al. [<reflink idref="bib4" id="ref14">4</reflink>]). In this case, little social research has been conducted on the efficiency of management actions related to AIS (Rothlisberger et al. [<reflink idref="bib33" id="ref15">33</reflink>]), or how recreationalists understand and react to said management actions (Eiswerth, Yen, and Kooten [<reflink idref="bib9" id="ref16">9</reflink>]).</p> <p>Recent studies have shown that AIS, and invasive species in general, are not much of a concern to the public, unless they pose a threat to nature, the economy of an area, or human health (Verbrugge, Vanden Born, and Lenders [<reflink idref="bib40" id="ref17">40</reflink>]). In terms of recreational use of water bodies, specifically boating, AIS can be a concern for all three. If AIS were to negatively impact a popular area for boating, it may have a negative impact on the native ecosystem, result in few visitors to the area (economics) and potentially impact human health (fouling of the water). The goal is to reduce the amount of damage that AIS can have on the economy and the environment (Lodge and Shrader-Frechette [<reflink idref="bib23" id="ref18">23</reflink>]) through a collaborative effort between scientist, policy makers and the recreational stakeholders (Smith, Bazely, and Yan [<reflink idref="bib37" id="ref19">37</reflink>]).</p> <p>Recreational boating may be the largest unregulated AIS vector (Murry, Pakhomov, and Therriault [<reflink idref="bib29" id="ref20">29</reflink>]) in need of immediate attention. The movement of boats from lake to lake has been found to be a significant vector for the spread of AIS. In a study of alpine lakes, pressure from recreational boating was directly correlated with the presence of AIS (Bacela-Spychalska et al. [<reflink idref="bib2" id="ref21">2</reflink>]). Small watercraft are often used to access pristine and protected areas, which puts these areas at risk from AIS (Leung, Bossenbroek, and Lodge [<reflink idref="bib21" id="ref22">21</reflink>]). In a study by Murry, Pakhomov, and Therriault ([<reflink idref="bib29" id="ref23">29</reflink>]), 26% of boats (491 total) had one or more AIS attached, even though 83% of those who responded to a follow up survey claimed they manually cleaned their boats. Live wells, bilges, bait buckets and engines are also capable of transporting AIS (Johnson, Ricciardi, and Carlton [<reflink idref="bib18" id="ref24">18</reflink>]). Boats are not the only vector for transporting AIS, the trailers enlisted in moving the boats from location to location can also be responsible. AIS can attach to many parts of the boat trailer, including the frame, wiring, and ropes used to tie the boat down (Johnson, Ricciardi, and Carlton [<reflink idref="bib18" id="ref25">18</reflink>]; Rothlisberger et al. [<reflink idref="bib33" id="ref26">33</reflink>]). Transportation of boats from area to area can not only contribute to the spread of AIS, but also the spread from one part of a water body to another.</p> <p>A study conducted by Kelly et al. ([<reflink idref="bib19" id="ref27">19</reflink>]) showed that boats can be 'in water' vectors for the secondary spread of AIS; whereas trailered boats may be out of the water for some time (thus making the conditions for AIS survival less favorable), in water boats may foster the spread of AIS because the conditions are more favorable for survival. Conditions that favor leaving a boat in the water for a season (or longer depending on climate), the more fouling that can occur on a boat and thus the more secondary dispersal through in water travel (Kelly et al. [<reflink idref="bib19" id="ref28">19</reflink>]). Several studies have shown that many people do not thoroughly clean their boats on a regular basis (up to 2/3 of boaters), which is even more so the case for those boats that stay in the water for a season or longer (Rothlisberger et al. [<reflink idref="bib33" id="ref29">33</reflink>]). Recreational boating may be spreading AIS at an alarming rate, thus more engagement between boaters, managers, environmental educators, and social scientists is needed to combat the issue. How the engagement is framed is just as important as the message. Many members of the public perceive the invasive species issue as one that is slanted towards the pro-biocentric conservation of ecosystems, and less on the human welfare and economic impacts (Chan et al. [<reflink idref="bib4" id="ref30">4</reflink>]). Providing the public with information that the control of AIS can be a 'win-win' for conservation and human-centered issues is critical.</p> <p>Managers and educators who work for and with protected areas have the responsibility to engage the public in the control of AIS. The management of AIS can only be done through the cooperation of those who use the bodies of water. The goal of most managing agencies is to provide access to bodies of water while still protecting the resources. In some cases this may mean the closure of an area, or restrictions of use. For example, in Voyageurs National Park in the United States, float planes are not allowed, artificial bait is required, and on some lakes only rental boats are used to reduce the spread of AIS (Manning and Anderson [<reflink idref="bib26" id="ref31">26</reflink>]). Managerial efforts can focus on 'hot spots,' recognizing that AIS impacts will be high in few locations and low in the majority (Hansen et al. [<reflink idref="bib14" id="ref32">14</reflink>]), but still encouraging all recreationists to be diligent in their control. Managers must also share the return on investment for such measures. Recreational users will generally not be in favor of use restrictions (Manning [<reflink idref="bib25" id="ref33">25</reflink>]), but if economic and social values can be shown to benefit from control, there is a better chance the polices will be accepted (Funk et al. [<reflink idref="bib11" id="ref34">11</reflink>]). Educational and outreach activities have been shown to increase public awareness of invasive species (Sharp et al. [<reflink idref="bib36" id="ref35">36</reflink>]), but in the cases of AIS specifically, only user buy-in to these educational efforts will ensure success in the reduced spread of AIS.</p> <p>Educating the public, especially in the case of AIS, takes many different forms with varied success. Often, information about invasive species is presented to people by the media (e.g. TV, brochures, internet). These media messages are often interpreted in a one-sided and negative way (Otieno et al. [<reflink idref="bib31" id="ref36">31</reflink>]), and many times make the issue even more confusing to the public (Sharp, Larson, and Green [<reflink idref="bib35" id="ref37">35</reflink>]). Targeted and specific educational programs related to AIS have been found to influence existing norms and beliefs (Prinbeck, Lach, and Chan [<reflink idref="bib32" id="ref38">32</reflink>]). These effective programs can be delivered through the popular media, but in person, on-site programming is often more effective (Sharp et al. [<reflink idref="bib36" id="ref39">36</reflink>]). However, Kelly et al. ([<reflink idref="bib19" id="ref40">19</reflink>]) found that despite educational programs aimed at reducing the spread of AIS, recreational boaters were still actively transporting AIS. In fact, those who were more aware of AIS participate more in water based recreation, visit lakes outside of their region more often, have a boat, belong to a lake association, and are college educated (Eiswerth, Yen, and Kooten [<reflink idref="bib9" id="ref41">9</reflink>]). Perhaps, regardless of awareness or education about the issue, the continued spread is related to a perceived lack of control related to AIS. Prinbeck, Lach, and Chan ([<reflink idref="bib32" id="ref42">32</reflink>]) found that people feel that the battle against invasive species was a losing one, that regardless of the amount of information available, the public does not know or care about invasive species, and that what people can do to prevent the spread of invasive species is either not known or that it is too difficult. However, policies and educational efforts that prevent the spread of AIS can have significant economic and social impacts (Zhang and Boyle [<reflink idref="bib43" id="ref43">43</reflink>]). Also, encouraging the public to reject the mentality that the loss of recreational opportunities or the damage to ecosystems as a result of AIS should 'not be accepted because it will be corrected later' (Lodge and Shrader-Frechette [<reflink idref="bib23" id="ref44">23</reflink>], 34). Targeted programs that occur at boat ramps or at recreational boating trade shows (Zhang and Boyle [<reflink idref="bib43" id="ref45">43</reflink>]) may help to alleviate some of the perceived lack of control mentioned above. Formal education programs may contribute to reducing the spread of AIS as well.</p> <p>The general public has a limited, and often complicated understanding of invasive species in general, and AIS specifically. The ability to manage the spread of AIS in the future may require an increased emphasis by institutes of education. In many institutes of higher education, there is a lack of focus on AIS, which may negatively impact the ability to respond to the issue (Smith, Bazely, and Yan [<reflink idref="bib37" id="ref46">37</reflink>]). However, for those programs that do have a focus on AIS, including citizens in the monitoring and collection of information may help to raise awareness. One of the primary issues with the control of AIS is adequate monitoring (which leads to early detection). Engaging the general public, or recreational boaters specifically, can assist with the early detection of AIS, and potentially reduce the cost of monitoring (Delaney et al. [<reflink idref="bib6" id="ref47">6</reflink>]). Of greater importance to such a citizen science endeavor is that several studies have shown that participants have an increase in knowledge and proficiency in identification of AIS (Crall et al. [<reflink idref="bib5" id="ref48">5</reflink>]; Delaney et al. [<reflink idref="bib6" id="ref49">6</reflink>]). An integrated approach, combining education and outreach efforts (Sharp et al. [<reflink idref="bib36" id="ref50">36</reflink>]), to control the spread and/or introduction of AIS may be the best course of action.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-4">Study context</hd> <p>The Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (FLI) embraced a preventative-minded effort to combat the further spread of non-native species throughout the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes ecosystems of New York (USA) through the launch of a Watercraft Steward Program in summer 2012. Trained individuals were stationed at boat launches in the Finger Lakes Region throughout the boating season to inspect watercraft for invasive species as they were entering and exiting the water. The following summer (2013) a survey was initiated to better understand some of the social aspects of the invasive species issues, such as public perceptions, attitudes towards, and knowledge of invasive species, as well as amenability and support for various management techniques and policy approaches that can be used to deal with AIS issues. For the purpose of this study attitudes and perceptions will be defined as 'the evaluation, either favorable or unfavorable, of an entity (e.g. person, object or action)' (Vaske [<reflink idref="bib38" id="ref51">38</reflink>], 27). The importance of understanding boater's perceptions and attitudes towards AIS is important because direct experience is tied to behavior (Heberlein [<reflink idref="bib15" id="ref52">15</reflink>]). In other words, the more that is understood about boaters direct experience with AIS, the more likely there is to be lasting behavior change through educational programming. This research will show the importance of an intentional and deliberate education program, and why it is needed to control the spread of AIS to protect recreational experiences (and thus, economic drivers as well).</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-5">Research question</hd> <p>This study focused on two main topics: (<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref53">1</reflink>) Measuring public perceptions/attitudes, knowledge of, and amenability/support for management techniques and policy approaches regarding AIS. (<reflink idref="bib2" id="ref54">2</reflink>) Comparing results from a lake that had active AIS education and stewardship programing to a lake that did not.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-6">Methods</hd> <p></p> <hd id="AN0124423705-7">Site description</hd> <p>The Finger Lakes region of Upstate Central New York (USA) is comprised of several lakes of glacial origin (Figure 1). This region is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors to wineries and the many small towns that dot the lakes. This area is also rich in outdoor recreation opportunities, including boating, hiking, and enjoying the many waterfalls in the area. The two lakes in this study were Canandaigua Lake and Conesus Lake. Canandaigua Lakes is one of the larger Finger Lakes at approximately 25 km long and 2 km wide, with 58 km of shoreline. Several types of recreational activities are supported, such as fishing and recreational boating. Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park was the specific site targeted for this study and is located on the north end of the lake. Conesus Lake, the western most Finger Lake, is considered a 'minor' Finger Lake due to its diminutive size at approximately 13 km long and 2 km wide, with 29 km of shoreline. Fishing and recreational boating are also popular activities on this lake. The Conesus public boat launch on the north end of the lake was used as the visitor intercept site for the study. These lakes both have the presence of invasive species (e.g. alewife and zebra mussels) that have had impacts on the water quality and recreational experience. However, these lakes are still heavily utilized for recreational purposes and the efforts to maintain and/or improve theses experiences (e.g. prevention of further invasions or spread of existing species) are ongoing.</p> <p>Graph: Figure 1. Location of the Finger Lakes region in relation to the northeast United States (Google Maps [<reflink idref="bib13" id="ref55">13</reflink>]).</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-8">Watercraft Steward Program</hd> <p>The FLI launched a Watercraft Steward Program in the summer of 2012 to increase awareness of AIS. This program placed trained stewards at boat launches throughout the Finger Lakes Region of New York. This region is a focal point because invasive species can be spread through recreational uses such as fishing and recreational boating. Theoretically, even if education and/or inspection were refused, the presence of a steward in itself generated awareness of AIS among boaters. During the summer of 2012, owners of 7000 boats, canoes, kayaks, and personal watercraft were contacted, with 1204 of these users being located on Canandaigua Lake (Conesus Lake was not sampled in 2012). This study focused on the second year of the program where stewards were still placed at launches, but also included a boater survey to understand perceptions and attitudes towards AIS and their management. These two lakes were chosen for this study because Canandaigua Lake had stewards present the previous year (2012) and Conesus Lake did not, allowing for a comparison of the effectiveness of the stewardship program.</p> <p>The stewards inspected each boat entering and leaving launches if the owner consented. The stewards also removed any visible plants and organisms from the outside of the boats and requested that bait buckets, live wells, and all other water holding parts of the watercraft be inspected at the launch. In addition to visual inspections, the stewards provided verbal education on the identification of invasive species, and presented educational materials to the boaters who were interested.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-9">Survey design and implementation</hd> <p>A survey was designed and based on other published studies focusing on public attitudes toward invasive species (Bremner and Park [<reflink idref="bib3" id="ref56">3</reflink>]; Garcia-Llorente et al. [<reflink idref="bib12" id="ref57">12</reflink>]; Sharp et al. [<reflink idref="bib36" id="ref58">36</reflink>]). The survey had 21 items and used mostly likert-type scales, the survey measured public perceptions, knowledge of and attitudes towards AIS, as well as public amenability and support for various management actions. Questions such as 'do you view invasive species as a problem in the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes region?' (1 = serious problem to 7 = not a problem at all) were used to measure boater knowledge of AIS. Question targeting boater's attitudes towards management actions such as 'leave invasive species alone' and 'inspect boats at all launching stations for invasive species' (1 = unacceptable in all cases to 5 = acceptable in all cases) were used to gauge level of support for these management actions.</p> <p>Surveys were administered throughout the months of June, July, and August of 2013 at two boat launches: Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park boat launch and Conesus Lake boat launch. A total of 200 surveys were completed at each boat launch, for a total of 400 surveys. This number was selected based on statistical power for data analysis (Vaske [<reflink idref="bib38" id="ref59">38</reflink>]). However, because some questions went unanswered, were skipped, missed, or invalidly answered by the respondent, the number of total respondents may differ from question to question. A total of 22 days were spent surveying boat launch users, and the number of hours per day varied from 3 to 8. The response rate was 89%.</p> <p>While surveying, all potential respondents (anyone using the boat launch and over 18 year of age) were approached. This included anglers and recreational boaters. Each person was asked if they had 5–10 min to take a survey for the Finger Lakes Institute's research on AIS.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-10">Analysis</hd> <p>Data were entered into SPSS 21 for statistical analysis including frequency distributions and descriptive statistics. Independent <emph>t</emph>-tests (two-tailed) and Pearson Chi-Square Tests were used to determine if differences existed in how people responded between the two lakes in this study. Point biserial correlations and <emph>π</emph> were used to determine the effect size of the relationships.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-11">Results</hd> <p>The majority of respondents were male (65%), and between the ages of 40–59 (48%). Most people were repeat visitors (87%), with 81% stating that they had visited the site between 1 and 5 times in the past month. The overwhelming majority of visitors were from New York State (96%), and hailed from counties surrounding the lakes sampled. Respondents were asked to chose one activity as their primary reason for visiting the lakes and there were two main uses of the lakes, recreation (56%) (waterskiing, tubing, sunning, swimming and boating) and fishing or hunting (44%).</p> <p>Survey participants were asked if they had seen, read or heard anything about invasive species in the past twelve months, with 71% stating that they had. Of this majority, 39% reported newspapers and magazines, 21% reported TV, 17% reported word of mouth, 12% reported the Internet, and 11% reported other (e.g. flyers, radio) as being their primary sources of their information on AIS. A majority (56%) of the survey respondents recognize invasive species as a problem in the Finger Lakes Region, ranging from a slight problem to a serious problem. Table 1 displays the perceived level of threat that AIS poses, and the urgency at which they need to be managed. Most people claimed that they checked their boats for plants and animals (not necessarily AIS) frequently before entering or exiting a body of water, with 42% stating they checked 'every time.' However, during the summer of 2012, watercraft stewards found that 15% of all boats contacted (or about 1070 boats) had aquatic plants or animals attached (not all of which were AIS). With this recognition that AIS was a problem, respondents stated that maintaining good fishing opportunities (33%), general environmental health (36%), and making sure that recreational boating remains possible (17%) were the prime motivations for preventing the spread of AIS in the Finger Lakes Region. Survey respondents were less concerned about reducing the spread of AIS for economic reasons (7%) and maintaining the aesthetics of the lake (4%).</p> <p>Table 1. Perceptions of the threat and urgency related to AIS in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, USA.</p> <p> <ephtml> <table><thead><tr valign="top"><td /><td>Mean</td><td>SD</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Do you view invasive species as a problem in the Finger Lakes region?</td><td char=".">3.22</td><td char=".">1.66</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale – 1</italic>=<italic>serious problem to 7</italic>=<italic>not a problem at all</italic></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>What is your sense of urgency to manage aquatic invasive species?</td><td char=".">2.84</td><td char=".">1.68</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale – 1</italic>=<italic>high urgency to 7</italic>=<italic>low urgency</italic></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>How often do you or your fellow users check for hitchhiker plants and animals before entering or exiting a body of water?</td><td char=".">2.79</td><td char=".">2.08</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale</italic> – <italic>1</italic> = <italic>every time to 7</italic> = <italic>never</italic></td></tr></tbody></table> </ephtml> </p> <p>Visitors to the boat ramps were asked a series of questions about their perceptions of AIS and their level of support for different management actions related to AIS. Table 2 displays in detail how respondents feel about different management actions. However, in general, visitors to the two boat launches were supportive of transport laws (preventing watercraft from moving AIS from one water body to another), and more neutral about working with community volunteers to monitor AIS movement, inspecting boats for AIS at all launching stations, and providing boat cleaning stations at all public launches. Respondents were less certain about the use of herbicides to manage invasive plants, and did not feel that leaving AIS alone was acceptable.</p> <p>Table 2. Level of acceptance for actions regarding AIS management.</p> <p> <ephtml> <table><thead><tr valign="top"><td /><td>Mean</td><td>SD</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Do you support transport laws, which prevent watercraft from launching into or leaving navigable water bodies with visibly attached plants or animals on them?</td><td char=".">2.97</td><td char=".">2.04</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale – 1</italic>=<italic>strongly support to 7</italic>=<italic>strongly oppose</italic></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Provide boat cleaning stations at all launches</td><td char=".">4.27</td><td char=".">0.96</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Inspect boats at all launching stations for AIS</td><td char=".">4.22</td><td char=".">2.08</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Work with community volunteers to monitor AIS locations and movement in water bodies</td><td char=".">4.14</td><td char=".">0.99</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Use regulated herbicides to manage invasive plants</td><td char=".">3.33</td><td char=".">0.99</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>Leave invasive species alone</td><td char=".">2.04</td><td char=".">1.15</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 5</italic>-<italic>point scale</italic> – <italic>1</italic> = <italic>unacceptable in all cases to 7</italic> = <italic>acceptable in all cases</italic></td></tr></tbody></table> </ephtml> </p> <p>A comparison of the two lakes was conducted to determine the impacts of the stewardship program (Canandaigua = had stewards, Conesus = no stewards). There was no statistical difference between the two lakes in terms of number of visits, residency, and age of the users. However, 76% of the respondents at Conesus Lake were male, compared to 53% at Canandaigua, which is a statistically significant difference (<emph>χ</emph><sups>2</sups> (<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref60">1</reflink>, _I_n_i_ = 398) = 22.02, <emph>p</emph> = 0.01). Users at Conesus Lake with no previous educational programming reported checking their watercraft more often for AIS (<emph>t</emph>(<reflink idref="bib371" id="ref61">371</reflink>)=2.13, <emph>p</emph> = 0.034) than those at Canandaigua Lake (<emph>M</emph> = 3.02, SD = 2.17). Conesus Lake users also had a higher sense of urgency to control AIS (<emph>t</emph>(<reflink idref="bib386" id="ref62">386</reflink>)=2.29, <emph>p</emph> = 0.023) than users at Canandaigua Lake (<emph>M</emph> = 3.03, SD = 1.74), who had previous educational programming (Table 3). Although the <emph>t</emph>-tests were statistically significant for these variables, the point biserial correlation revealed an effective size of minimal for both checking watercraft for AIS (<emph>r</emph><subs>pb=-</subs>0.110) and urgency of control of AIS (<emph>r</emph><subs>pb=-</subs>0.116). Conesus Lake users reported hearing, seeing or reading about AIS more than the Canandaigua Lake users (<emph>χ</emph><sups>2</sups> (<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref63">1</reflink>, _I_n_i_ = 395) = 4.34, <emph>p</emph> = 0.037). Also, the Conesus Lake users were more interested in fishing than recreational use (e.g. just boating) (<emph>χ</emph><sups>2</sups> (<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref64">1</reflink>, _I_n_i_ = 359) = 23.55, <emph>p</emph> = 0.001), and were more concerned about impacts to fishing by AIS than the environmental health of the lake (<emph>χ</emph><sups>2</sups> (<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref65">1</reflink>, _I_n_i_ = 340) = 16.82, <emph>p</emph> = 0.005). The effect size for these relationships, respectively, were <emph>ϕ</emph> = −0.105 (minimal relationship), <emph>ϕ</emph> = 0.256 (typical relationship) and <emph>ϕ</emph> = 0.222 (minimal to typical relationship).</p> <p>Table 3. Independent t-test to determine the difference in perceptions of AIS between Canandaigua Lake (received AIS education) and Conesus Lake (did not receive AIS education)</p> <p> <ephtml> <table><thead><tr valign="top"><td /><td>Canandaigua Lake</td><td>Conesus Lake</td><td><italic>t</italic></td><td>df</td><td><italic>p</italic></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>M</italic></td><td>SD</td><td><italic>n</italic></td><td><italic>M</italic></td><td>SD</td><td><italic>n</italic></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Do you check you boat for AIS before entering or exiting a water body?</td><td char=".">3.02</td><td char=".">2.17</td><td char=".">184</td><td char=".">2.56</td><td char=".">1.97</td><td char=".">189</td><td char=".">2.13</td><td char=".">371</td><td char=".">0.03</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale</italic> – <italic>1</italic> = <italic>every time to 7</italic> = <italic>never</italic></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>* denotes p</italic> < 0.05</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td>What is your sense of urgency to manage AIS?</td><td char=".">3.03</td><td char=".">1.74</td><td char=".">195</td><td /><td char=".">2.64</td><td char=".">1.60</td><td char=".">193</td><td /><td char=".">2.29</td><td char=".">386</td><td char=".">0.02</td></tr><tr valign="top"><td><italic>Based on a 7</italic>-<italic>point scale</italic> – <italic>1</italic> = <italic>high urgency to 7</italic> = <italic>low urgency</italic></td><td /></tr></tbody></table> </ephtml> </p> <hd id="AN0124423705-12">Conclusions</hd> <p>This study was conducted to understand where recreational boat launch users stand on certain issues related to AIS and the management of AIS, as well as compare one lake with previous outreach efforts to one lake that did not. Consistent with previous studies (Bremner and Park [<reflink idref="bib3" id="ref66">3</reflink>]; Selge, Fischer, and van der Wal [<reflink idref="bib34" id="ref67">34</reflink>]), survey respondents seemed to understand the urgency and importance of controlling and managing AIS. A majority of respondents recognized AIS as a problem, while an even higher percentage of respondents expressed a sense of urgency with regard to management of invasive species. Approximately the same percentage of respondents actively takes part in a solution to the problem by inspecting their own boats as a habit. This reveals public awareness of the need to take action in managing invasive species. A meager 2% of respondents indicated that boat inspections would be unacceptable in all cases. This demonstrates that people are willing to cooperate with invasive species management efforts. Also, it is likely that people are supportive of boat inspections because they are self-explanatory and are not as complex as herbicide use or transport laws. Study participants were more neutral about such actions as boat cleaning and AIS inspection stations. This may be, in part, due to the resistance to increased regulations when the issue may not be explicitly visible (and thus impacting their recreational experience). Perhaps if lake users were being more directly impacted by AIS, they may be more open to increased regulation (Fraser et al. [<reflink idref="bib10" id="ref68">10</reflink>]). It may also be expected that support would increase for all management actions with proper information distribution (Larson et al. [<reflink idref="bib20" id="ref69">20</reflink>]). However, the results of this study show that this issue may not be as simple as just providing blanket educational opportunities.</p> <p>Although both the lakes used in this study shared many of the same concerns and support for management actions related to AIS, the lake without the presence of the watercraft stewards (WS) the year before the survey, revealed some differences compared to the lake that did have WS present in 2012 (e.g. urgency to control AIS, checking boats more often for AIS). This is somewhat contradictory to past findings related to how AIS are perceived and understood (Sharp, Larson, and Green [<reflink idref="bib35" id="ref70">35</reflink>]). There are several possible reasons for this outcome. The first may be that a year between when the WS were at the boat ramps and when the survey was taken may have provided too much time for retention, leading to educational decay. Repeated exposure to educational messages is often needed to observe differences in attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors, especially with complex issues like AIS (Sharp et al. [<reflink idref="bib36" id="ref71">36</reflink>]). Second, the make up of the users between the two lakes may account for some of the differences. Conesus Lake had a statistically significantly higher number of males who were primarily interested in impacts of AIS on fishing, when compared to Canandaigua Lake (where the focus was more on recreational use such as boating). Respondents at Conesus Lake also had a higher sense of urgency and had more exposure to information about AIS in the media. This may be because the quality of a fishing experience is highly dependent on the quality of the water and that anglers have been found to be more aware of invasive species and less responsible for their spread than recreational boaters (Anderson et al. [<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref72">1</reflink>]). Lastly, it may be that there is an active angler community on Conesus Lake that may be responsible for the raised level of awareness concerning AIS. Although there is an organization that disseminates information to users of Conesus Lake, it is not uncommon to other, similar organizations at other lakes sites. What these differences point to is that a one size fits all approach may not be the correct avenue to take when developing AIS educational programming and outreach materials. Different stakeholders may have different perceptions about control and management of AIS and may need tailored educational materials to effectively inform them of the risks associated with AIS (Lundmark and Jonsson [<reflink idref="bib24" id="ref73">24</reflink>]; Morgan and Soucy [<reflink idref="bib28" id="ref74">28</reflink>]; Prinbeck, Lach, and Chan [<reflink idref="bib32" id="ref75">32</reflink>]). Additional research is needed, over an extended period of time, to truly understand the impacts of educational programs, such as the watercraft stewardship program, on perceptions of AIS.</p> <p>While the lakes in this study already have invasive species present, they are not nearly as established or as problematic as they can or will become without voluntary inspection programs, increased public awareness, and/or some type of legislation. More regulation and targeted education focusing on invasive species may result in less spreading of AIS, and reduced spending on costly control methods (e.g. herbicides). The efforts like those put forth by the Finger Lakes Institute Watercraft Steward Program are extremely important for the future of our water bodies and economies reliant on the quality of their water for recreation. Theoretically, even if education and/or inspection were refused, the presence of a steward in itself generates awareness of invasive species among boaters.</p> <p>An increase in public outreach, and the development of targeted educational materials with regional partners would prove beneficial in decreasing some of the gaps in invasive species and environmental education amongst the general public that is currently contributing to the spread of AIS (Nathan et al. [<reflink idref="bib30" id="ref76">30</reflink>]). Additionally, an increase in the number of boat launches being covered by watercraft stewards could potentially aid in the dispersal of information to different communities. Tourism and recreation are some of the main economic drivers of the Finger Lakes and similar regions of the world, and recreation on the lakes draws thousands of people to the water during the summer months. Few social science studies have been completed researching AIS in a recreational setting, making this study, and the need for others like it, that much more necessary. There is also a dire need for long term examination of the effectiveness of AIS related educational outreach programs. Without constant evaluation of these programs, the messages may be missing the intended audience and thus not having the intended outcomes. With greater understanding of where the public stands on certain issues, policy makers and environmental educators can better tailor, construct, and implement solutions to difficult problems accordingly, knowing that they have the support (or lack thereof) of those who are most affected by the outcome. Additionally, the expediency with which these actions are prioritized and accomplished is hastened with public expression of urgency, which is something that comes with greater dissemination of information on these often-serious environmental issues.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-13">Disclosure statement</hd> <p>No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-14">Notes on contributors</hd> <p>Ryan L Sharp is an assistant professor of Park Management and Conservation at Kansas State University.</p> <p>Lisa A Cleckner is Director of the Finger Lakes Institute located in Geneva New York.</p> <p>Sarah DePillo is former employee of the Finger Lakes Institute and a graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva New York.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-15">Acknowledgements</hd> <p>Watercraft Steward Program branding and protocol are based on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Campaign entitled "Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers." A special thank you goes to the FLI Endowment for sponsoring the summer research position for the Watercraft Steward Program and to the stewards and staff of the FLI Watercraft Steward Program.</p> <hd id="AN0124423705-16">Funding</hd> <p>This work was supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.</p> <ref id="AN0124423705-17"> <title> References </title> <blist> <bibl id="bib1" idref="ref53" type="bt">1</bibl> <bibtext> Anderson, L. G., P. C. L. White, P. D. Stebbin, G. D. Stentiford, and A. M. Dunn. 2014. "Biosecurity and Vector Behavior: Evaluating the Potential Threat Posed by Anglers and Canoeists as Pathways for the Spread of Invasive Non-native Species and Pathogens." PLoS ONE 9 (4). <ulink href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0092788">http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0092788</ulink>.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib2" idref="ref21" type="bt">2</bibl> <bibtext> Bacela-Spychalska, K., M. Grabowski, T. Rewicz, A. Konopacka, and R. Wattier. 2013. "The 'Killer Shrimp' Dikerogammarus Villosus (Crustacea amphipoda) Invading Alpine Lakes: Overland Transport by Recreational Boats and Scuba-diving Gear as Potential Entry Vectors?" Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 23 (4): 606–618.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib3" idref="ref56" type="bt">3</bibl> <bibtext> Bremner, A., and K. Park. 2007. "Public Attitudes to the Management of Invasive Non-native Species in Scotland." Biological Conservation 139: 306–314.10.1016/j.biocon.2007.07.005</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib4" idref="ref14" type="bt">4</bibl> <bibtext> Chan, M. A., R. M. Pringle, J. Ranganathan, C. L. Boggs, Y. L. Chan, P. R. Ehrlich, P. K. Haff, N. E. Heller, K. Al-Khafaji, and P. Macmynowski. 2007. "When Agendas Collide: Human Welfare and Biological Conservation." Conservation Biology 21 (1): 59–68.10.1111/cbi.2007.21.issue-1</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib5" idref="ref48" type="bt">5</bibl> <bibtext> Crall, A. W., R. Jordan, K. Holfelder, G. J. Newman, J. Graham, and D. M. Waller. 2012. "The Impact of an Invasive Species Citizen Science-training Program on Participant Attitudes, Behaviors and Science Literacy." Public Understanding of Science 22 (6): 745–764.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib6" idref="ref47" type="bt">6</bibl> <bibtext> Delaney, D. G., C. D. Sperling, C. S. Adams, and B. Leung. 2007. "Marine Invasive Species: Validation of Citizen Science and Implications for National Monitoring Networks." Biological Invasions 10 (1): 117–128.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib7" idref="ref5" type="bt">7</bibl> <bibtext> Didham, R. K., J. M. Tylianakis, M. A. Hutchison, R. M. Ewers, and N. J. Gemmell. 2005. "Are Invasive Species Drivers of Ecological Change?" Trends in Ecology & Evolution 20 (9): 470–474.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib8" idref="ref4" type="bt">8</bibl> <bibtext> Ecology and Environment. 2011. New York State Invasive Species Management Strategy, 173 pp. <ulink href="http://www.nyis.info/pdf/NYS%20IS%20Mant%20Strategy%20-%202011.pdf">http://www.nyis.info/pdf/NYS%20IS%20Mant%20Strategy%20-%202011.pdf</ulink>.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibl id="bib9" idref="ref13" type="bt">9</bibl> <bibtext> Eiswerth, M. E., S. T. Yen, and van C. G. Kooten. 2011. "Factors Determining Awareness and Knowledge of Aquatic Invasive Species." Ecological Economics 70: 1672–1679.10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.04.012</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Fraser, E. J., D. W. Macdonald, R. Bryce, and X. Lambin. 2014. "Controlling Invasive Species by Empowering Environmental Stakeholders: Ecotourism Boat Operators as Potential Guardians of Wildlife against the Invasive American Mink." Oryx 48 (4): 605–612.10.1017/S003060531300046X</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Funk, J. L., V. Matzek, M. Bernhardt, and D. Johnson. 2014. "Broadening the Case for Invasive Species Management to Include Impacts on Ecosystem Services." BioSciences 64 (1): 58–63.10.1093/biosci/bit004</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Garcia-Llorente, M., B. Martin-Lopez, J. A. Gonzalez, P. Alcorio, and C. Montes. 2008. "Social Perceptions of the Impacts and Benefits of Invasive Alien Species: Implications for Management." Biological Conservation 141 (12): 2969–2983.10.1016/j.biocon.2008.09.003</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Google Maps. 2015. Finger Lakes, New York. https://<ulink href="http://www.google.com/maps/@42.62803,-77.1984692,10z">www.google.com/maps/@42.62803,-77.1984692,10z</ulink>.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Hansen, G. J. A., M. J. VanderZanden, M. J. Blum, M. K. Clayton, E. F. Hain, J. Hauxwell, M. Izzo, et al. 2013. "Commonly Rare and Rarely Common: Comparing Population Abundance of Invasive and Native Aquatic Species." PLoS ONE 8 (10). <ulink href="http://www.nyis.info/pdf/NYS%20IS%20Mant%20Strategy%20-%202011.pdf">http://www.nyis.info/pdf/NYS%20IS%20Mant%20Strategy%20-%202011.pdf</ulink>.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Heberlein, T. A. 2012. Navigating Environmental Attitudes. New York: Oxford Press.10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199773329.001.0001</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Hermoso, V., M. Clavero, F. Blanco-Garrodo, and J. Prenda. 2011. "Invasive Species and Habitat Degradation in Iberian Streams: An Analysis of Their Role in Freshwater Fish Diversity Loss." Ecological Applications 21 (1): 175–188.10.1890/09-2011.1</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Howell, A. P., B. R. Shaw, and G. Alvarez. 2014. "Bait Shop Owners Opinions Leaders: A Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Pro-environmental Outreach Behaviors and Intentions." Environment and Behavior 47 (10): 1107–1126.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Johnson, L. E., A. Ricciardi, and J. T. Carlton. 2001. "Overland Dispersal of Aquatic Invasive Species: A Risk Assessment Of Transient Recreational Boating." Ecological Applications 11 (6): 1789–1799.10.1890/1051-0761(2001)011[1789:ODOAIS]2.0.CO;2</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Kelly, N. E., K. Wantola, E. Weise, and N. D. Yan. 2013. "Recreational Boats as a Vector of Secondary Spread for Aquatic Invasive Species and Native Crustacean Zooplankton." Biological Invasions 15 (3): 509–519.10.1007/s10530-012-0303-0</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Larson, D. L., L. Phillips-Mao, G. Quiram, L. Sharpe, R. Stark, S. Sugita, and A. Weiler. 2011. "A Framework for Sustainable Invasive Species Management: Environmental, Social and Economic Objectives." Journal of Environmental Management 92 (1): 14–22.10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.08.025</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Leung, B., J. M. Bossenbroek, and D. M. Lodge. 2006. "Boats, Pathways, and Aquatic Biological Invasions: Estimating Dispersal Potential with Gravity Models." Biological Invasions 8 (2): 241–254.10.1007/s10530-004-5573-8</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Lockwood, J. L., M. F. Hoopes, and M. P. Marchetti. 2008. Invasion Ecology. Malden, MA: Blackwell.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Lodge, D. M., and K. Shrader-Frechette. 2003. "Nonindigenous Species: Ecological Explanation, Environmental Ethics, and Public Policy." Conservation Biology 17 (1): 31–37.10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.02366.x</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Lundmark, C., and G. Jonsson. 2013. "Prospects for Learning in River Management: Exploring the Initial Implementation of the Water Framework Directive in a Swedish River Basin." Environmental Education Research 20 (2): 161–176.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Manning, R. E. 2011. Studies in Outdoor Recreation. Corvallis: Oregon State University Press.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Manning, R. E., and L. E. Anderson. 2012. Managing Outdoor Recreation: Case Studies in National Parks. Cambridge, MA: CABI.10.1079/9781845939311.0000</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> McNeely, J. A. 2001. "An Introduction to Human Dimensions of Invasive Alien Species." In The Great Reshuffling: Human Dimensions of Invasive Alien Species. Gland: IUCN.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Morgan, M., and J. Soucy. 2007. "Usage and Evaluation of Non-formal Environmental Education Services at a State Park: Are Anglers Catching More than Fish?" Environmental Education Research 12 (5): 595–608.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Murry, C. C., E. A. Pakhomov, and T. W. Therriault. 2011. "Recreational Boating: A Large Unregulated Vector Transporting Marine Invasive Species." Diversity and Distributions 17 (6): 1161–1172.10.1111/ddi.2011.17.issue-6</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Nathan, L. R., C. L. Jerde, M. McVeigh, and A. R. Mahon. 2014. "An Assessment of Angler Education and Bait Trade Regulations to Prevent Invasive Species Introductions in the Laurentian Great Lakes." Management of Biological Invasions 5 (4): 319–326.10.3391/mbi</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Otieno, C., H. Spada, K. Liebler, T. Ludemann, U. Deil, and A. Renkl. 2013. "Informing about Climate Change and Invasive Species: How the Presentation of Information Affects Perception of Risk, Emotions, and Learning." Environmental Education Research 20 (5): 37–41.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Prinbeck, G., D. Lach, and S. Chan. 2011. "Exploring Stakeholders' Attitudes and Beliefs regarding Behaviors That Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species." Environmental Education Research 17 (3): 341–352.10.1080/13504622.2010.542451</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Rothlisberger, J. D., W. L. Chadderton, J. McNulty, and D. M. Lodge. 2010. "Aquatic Invasive Species Transport via Trailered Boats: What is Being Moved, Who is Moving It, and What Can Be Done." Fisheries 35 (3): 121–132.10.1577/1548-8446-35.3.121</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Selge, S., A. Fischer, and R. van der Wal. 2011. "Public and Professional Views on Invasive Non-native Species – A Qualitative Social Scientific Investigation." Biological Conservation 144: 3089–3097.10.1016/j.biocon.2011.09.014</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Sharp, R. L., L. R. Larson, and G. T. Green. 2011. "Factors Influencing Public Preferences for Invasive Alien Species Management." Biological Conservation 144 (8): 2097–2104.10.1016/j.biocon.2011.04.032</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Sharp, R. L., L. R. Larson, G. T. Green, and S. Tomek. 2012. "Comparing Interpretive Methods Targeting Invasive Species Management at Cumberland Island National Seashore." Journal of Interpretation Research 17 (2): 23–46.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Smith, A. L., D. R. Bazely, and N. D. Yan. 2011. "Missing the Boat on Invasive Alien Species: A Review of Post-secondary Curricula in Canada." Canadian Journal of Higher Education 41 (1): 34–47.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Vaske, J. J. 2008. Survey Research and Analysis: Applications in Parks, Recreation, and Human Dimensions. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Veblen, T. T., M. Mermoz, C. Martin, and T. Kitzberger. 1992. "Ecological Impacts of Introduced Animals in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina." Conservation Biology 6 (1): 71–83.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Verbrugge, L. N. H., R. J. G. Vanden Born, and H. J. R. Lenders. 2013. "Exploring Public Perceptions of Non Native Species from a Visions of Nature Perspective." Environmental Management 52 (6): 1562–1573.10.1007/s00267-013-0170-1</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> White House Council on Environmental Quality. 2010. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan. FY2010–FY2014. 41 pp. <ulink href="http://greatlakesrestoration.us/pdfs/glri%5factionplan.pdf">http://greatlakesrestoration.us/pdfs/glri%5factionplan.pdf</ulink>.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> White, P. C. L., A. E. S. Ford, M. N. Clout, R. M. Engeman, S. Roy, and G. Saunders. 2008. "Alien Invasive Vertebrates in Ecosystems: Pattern, Process and the Social Dimension." Wildlife Research 35 (3): 171–179.</bibtext> </blist> <blist> <bibtext> Zhang, C., and K. J. Boyle. 2010. "The Effect of an Aquatic Invasive Species (Eurasian Watermilfoil) on Lakefront Property Values." Ecological Economics 70 (2): 394–404.10.1016/j.ecolecon.2010.09.011</bibtext> </blist> </ref> <aug> <p>By Ryan L. Sharp; Lisa B. Cleckner and Sarah DePillo</p> <p>Reported by Author; Author; Author</p> </aug> <nolink nlid="nl1" bibid="bib22" firstref="ref1"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl2" bibid="bib41" firstref="ref2"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl3" bibid="bib16" firstref="ref3"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl4" bibid="bib39" firstref="ref6"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl5" bibid="bib27" firstref="ref7"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl6" bibid="bib17" firstref="ref8"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl7" bibid="bib42" firstref="ref9"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl8" bibid="bib23" firstref="ref10"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl9" bibid="bib35" firstref="ref11"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl10" bibid="bib43" firstref="ref12"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl11" bibid="bib33" firstref="ref15"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl12" bibid="bib40" firstref="ref17"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl13" bibid="bib37" firstref="ref19"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl14" bibid="bib29" firstref="ref20"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl15" bibid="bib21" firstref="ref22"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl16" bibid="bib18" firstref="ref24"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl17" bibid="bib19" firstref="ref27"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl18" bibid="bib26" firstref="ref31"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl19" bibid="bib14" firstref="ref32"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl20" bibid="bib25" firstref="ref33"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl21" bibid="bib11" firstref="ref34"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl22" bibid="bib36" firstref="ref35"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl23" bibid="bib31" firstref="ref36"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl24" bibid="bib32" firstref="ref38"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl25" bibid="bib38" firstref="ref51"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl26" bibid="bib15" firstref="ref52"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl27" bibid="bib13" firstref="ref55"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl28" bibid="bib12" firstref="ref57"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl29" bibid="bib371" firstref="ref61"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl30" bibid="bib386" firstref="ref62"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl31" bibid="bib34" firstref="ref67"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl32" bibid="bib10" firstref="ref68"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl33" bibid="bib20" firstref="ref69"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl34" bibid="bib24" firstref="ref73"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl35" bibid="bib28" firstref="ref74"></nolink> <nolink nlid="nl36" bibid="bib30" firstref="ref76"></nolink>
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1149441
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: The Impact of On-Site Educational Outreach on Recreational Users' Perceptions of Aquatic Invasive Species and Their Management
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sharp%2C+Ryan+L%2E%22">Sharp, Ryan L.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cleckner%2C+Lisa+B%2E%22">Cleckner, Lisa B.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22DePillo%2C+Sarah%22">DePillo, Sarah</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Environmental+Education+Research%22"><i>Environmental Education Research</i></searchLink>. 2017 23(8):1200-1210.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 11
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2017
– Name: SourceSuprt
  Label: Sponsoring Agency
  Group: SrcSuprt
  Data: US Fish & Wildlife Service (DOI)
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outreach+Programs%22">Outreach Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Aquatic+Sports%22">Aquatic Sports</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+Education%22">Environmental Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surveys%22">Surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recreational+Activities%22">Recreational Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ecology%22">Ecology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Opinion%22">Public Opinion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+Level%22">Knowledge Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitude+Measures%22">Attitude Measures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+Analysis%22">Statistical Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Plants+%28Botany%29%22">Plants (Botany)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animals%22">Animals</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22New+York%22">New York</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1080/13504622.2016.1174983
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1350-4622
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) present a great challenge to ecosystems around the globe, and controlling AIS becomes increasingly difficult when the potential vectors are related to recreational activities. An approach combining education and outreach efforts to control AIS may be the best course of action. A survey was designed to measure public perceptions, knowledge of, and attitudes towards AIS, as well as public support for various management actions. Surveys were administered during the summer of 2013 at two boat launches where one launch had active outreach the previous summer and one that did not. A total of 400 surveys were completed with a response rate of 89%. There was support for most proposed management options, and respondents understood the urgency of managing AIS. There was a difference between the launches in how people responded, highlighting that educational programming may need to be tailored for specific recreational uses and recreational settings.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: Ref
  Label: Number of References
  Group: RefInfo
  Data: 43
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2017
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1149441
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1149441
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/13504622.2016.1174983
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 1200
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Outreach Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Aquatic Sports
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Surveys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Recreational Activities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ecology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Opinion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitude Measures
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical Analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Plants (Botany)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: New York
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Impact of On-Site Educational Outreach on Recreational Users' Perceptions of Aquatic Invasive Species and Their Management
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Sharp, Ryan L.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Cleckner, Lisa B.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: DePillo, Sarah
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2017
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 1350-4622
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 23
            – Type: issue
              Value: 8
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Environmental Education Research
              Type: main
ResultId 1