Human/wildlife interactions at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge were investigated in this research. Personal interviews and a mapping exercise were used to examine a variety of questions about recreational use. These included visitor backgrounds (their recreational histories, socioeconomic profiles, and past refuge visits), their perceptions (of current and proposed management policies, and visitor effects on wildlife), and their experiences of the refuge (their activities, most memorable experiences and exploration of the environment). Most visitors questioned were middle-aged individuals who resided in New Mexico. The refuge's unique character--its diversity of wildlife and landscape features--was perceived as its greatest asset. Visitors saw the refuge as a wildlife sanctuary, protected and controlled by officials who prevented visitors from having damaging impacts on the resource. While visitors differed by season of visit and purpose of visit, most did agree that the refuge should be managed for the sake of wildlife first. After that, visitors felt that it should be managed for the sake of recreation. Snow Geese responses to certain visitor behaviors were also examined. Simulations of visitor behaviors were made in the presence of small groups of geese. Behavioral observations of geese were made prior to, during, and after simulations. Environmental factors (weather, habitat, and temporal) were also examined. This analysis revealed a general tendency among geese to respond to visitor simulations in characteristic ways. However, variations in geese responses were also observed. Several factors may have most strongly influenced geese behavior. The predictability of visitor behaviors as perceived by geese influenced their patterns of response. Then too, certain environmental factors (habitat and temporal) were important, as well as the particular nature of the animal behaviors themselves. This research indicates that significant transactions occur between people, animals, and the environment. Understanding them is crucial in managing natural resources for ecological as well as recreational values.

This study determines opinions of two Indiana communities concerning the proposed Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. Surveys were mailed to residents of Pike County and Noblesville, Indiana. The response rate was 38%. Differences in attitudes were measured between residents of the two areas regarding ten issues of concern. The issues respondents were most concerned with were those focusing on the loss of county tax base, road closings and access, and a possible increase in the mosquito population. Surprisingly, the issues concerning avian diseases and land acquisition/ condemnation were not major concerns. It was originally thought that these issues of employment and property would have been of primary concern to respondents. Residents of Pike County in the affected refuge area were more aware of the refuge and the issues of concern. However, of the respondents who were aware of the refuge in both Pike county and Noblesville, few differences in their perceptions of the issues were noted. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Este trabajo de investigación explora los fundamentos para el cuidado y preservación de las Áreas Verdes, teniendo como foco de interés las áreas verdes naturales, desde una perspectiva de la educación ecológica, poniendo especial énfasis en el papel que los espacios de información ecológica pueden desempeñar para fomentar una conciencia medioambiental en el Perú. El trabajo se centra en la búsqueda del interés social para el conocimiento, preservación y conservación de las Áreas Verdes, para que de este modo la prosperidad urbana del país se incremente beneficiando de múltiples formas el desarrollo económico, social y medioambiental del mismo. / This research work explores the basis for Green Areas caring and preservation, having as investigation focus the Nature Green Areas from an Ecological Education perspective, pointing special emphasis in the role who ecological information spaces fulfill to promote an environmental awareness in Perú. The paper focuses on the search for social interest for the knowledge, preservation and conservation of the Green Areas, thereby the urban prosperity of the country goes up benefiting in multiple ways to the economic, social and environmental development itself. / Trabajo de investigación