Predicting Behavioral Intentions to Comply with Recommended Leave No Trace Practices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) for predicting backcountry visitors’ behavioral intentions to comply with recommended Leave No Trace practices. Once confirmed, factors predictive of behavioral intentions can be used to inform the development of more effective persuasive communication strategies and educational messaging. Study participants were overnight backcountry visitors to either Olympic National Park, Washington, or Glacier National Park, Montana. The final model explained over 44% of the variance in the dependent variable, but significant predictors differed between the two parks. Discussion is provided as well as suggestions for those charged with disseminating Leave No Trace messaging.

Keywords:

• Leave No Trace
• LNT
• structural equation modeling
• Theory of Planned Behavior

Acknowledgments

The first author thanks Clemson University faculty members Fran Mainella, DeWayne Moore, Bill Norman, Bob Powell, and Brett Wright for their guidance on the doctoral research from which this article is based. Four anonymous reviewers enhanced the manuscript with their critical reviews.

Additional information

Funding

The Wilderness Stewardship Division of the National Park Service funded this research. Facts and views in this paper are the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the opinions or policies of the National Park Service.