Policy and Management Recommendations Informed by the Health Benefits of Visitor Experiences in Alberta’s Protected Areas
Abstract
Leisure in parks and other forms of protected areas are connected to an individual’s health and well-being. Findings show that anticipated human health and well-being benefits were a major factor motivating individuals decision to visit a park or protected area. However, there was a negative correlation between age and each of the perceived benefits, indicating that older visitors were less motivated to visit protected areas. Interestingly, health motivations and benefits (or outcomes) were correlated highly with nature relatedness, meaning the more connected one is to nature, the greater the motivation to visit parks and the greater the health and well-being benefits received from park experiences. Overall, this study represents the largest examination of the human health and well-being benefits associated with visitor experiences in a Canadian protected areas context. The results substantiate the need for park organizations to better understand the “service provider” “client” relationship from a human health and well-being perspective so that integrated policies and visitor experience programs can be developed or enhanced where appropriate.
Notes
Key recommendations
More research is needed to better understand the benefits of nature activities for physical and mental well-being of different groups of people.
Programs that engage curiosity and fascination with the natural world can foster connectedness with nature in general – more programs are needed.
Alberta Parks’ policies should reflect motivations of people visiting parks
Location
Alberta
Key populations
Adults
Gaps identified
NA
Key findings
Visiting parks and protected areas helps with maintaining physical and mental well-being
Community organizations
Alberta Parks
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA
Open-access – No