Sustainable Camping “Best Management Practices” (Marion J. et al., 2019)

Type of Publication

Draft Research Report

Where to Find?

https://appalachiantrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/at-final-rpt-bmp-review-draft.pdf

Abstract or Summary

This sustainable camping “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) document was compiled to provide comprehensive guidance on the best available management strategies and actions found by researchers and managers to be effective in minimizing camping resource and social impacts. While developed as part of a comprehensive study of camping impacts along the Appalachian National Scenic and Recreational Trail, this document was also designed to be applicable to a wide array of backcountry and wilderness settings. It is intended to serve as a reference document and “toolbox” describing a wide array of site management, educational, and regulatory “tools” and practices to aid managers and volunteers in avoiding and minimizing camping impacts. Recreation ecology and social science research provided the foundational knowledge from which these science based BMPs were derived, augmented by case examples of management experimentation, refinement, and success in seeking to accommodate increasing visitation while reducing associated negative impacts. A “sustainable campsite” is one that can accommodate the intended type and amount of use over time without unacceptable levels of expansion, degradation, maintenance, and social crowding or conflict. Sustainability is inclusive of resource, social, and managerial dimensions.

Relevance

(to be added)

Bibliographical Data

• Authors: Jeffrey L. Marion, Jeremy Wimpey, Johanna Arredondo, Fletcher Meadema
• Title: Sustainable Camping “Best Management Practices”
• Year: 2019
• Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Tech Field Unit