Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Understanding Park Visitors NPS studies conducted through the Social Science Program in cooperation with the University of Idaho Cooperative Park Studies Unit – –Helps NPS decipher who visitors are, where they are from, what their need and opinions are, and how they feel about services and facilities

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Typical NPS Survey Tools Visitor Survey Card Project (VSC) –Conducted annually in March –Measures visitor satisfaction and understanding –Often captures “general” visitors at trails, visitor centers and wildlife viewing areas –Typically high ratings of 90%+

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Typical NPS Survey Tools Visitor Services Project –Typically conducted every 5 yrs –BICY conducted in 1999 and 2007 –2007 was first year that a concerted effort was made to look at “general”, ORV permit and landowner visitors –Conducted in March with mail out to permit and landowners in May

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service The VSP Process

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Study limitations Cannot know if responses reflect actual behavior (true of all studies of this type). Results do not necessarily apply to visitors during other times of the year. View data with a response of less than 30 (N=<30) with CAUTION! Too few respondents for reliable data. Inconsistencies in the results may arise from missing data or incorrect answers (misunderstood directions, carelessness, or poor recall).

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service ORV Permit holder/Camp owner Study Mail date: May 2, valid (28 bad addresses, 1 person no longer a Permit holder) % response rate

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Checking for non-response bias ORV Permit holder/ camp owner survey

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Visitor Demographics General visitor Group size 48% groups of 2 31% groups of 3 or 4 13% groups of 5 or more Group type 52% family 22% friends 15% family and friends Organized groups 4% commercial guided tour group 2% other organized group (church, business, etc.) 1% educational group ORV Permit holder/camp owner survey Group size 40% groups of 3 or 4 29% groups of 5 or more 20% groups of 2 Group type 41% family and friends 14% family 34% friends Organized groups 3% other organized group (church, business, etc.) 1% educational group <1% commercial guided tour group

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Visitor ages General visitor ORV Permit holders/camp owner survey Visitor ages Ranged from 1 to 91 years 47% ages % 71 years or older 5% ages 15 or younger Visitor ages Ranged from 1 to 86 years 54% ages % ages 15 or younger 18% years

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service U.S Population (projected) Proportion of U.S. population who are children younger than 18 years: 34% 26% 24% Source: U.S. Census Bureau statistics, 2000 National Park System Proportion of NPS visitors who are children younger than 18 years: 20% average for 132 park studies Big Cypress National Preserve (ORV Permit holder/camp owner):14% children VSP highest and lowest examples Wolf Trap Farm for the Performing Arts (children’s event), summer 1994: 60% children Death Valley NP, fall 1996: 2% children Source: VSP data, 132 park visitor studies ( )

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Place of residence General visitor International visitors — 14%, N=216 48% Canada 18% Germany 13% United Kingdom Smaller proportions from 12 other countries 86%, N=1,334 U.S. visitors — 86%, N=1,334 34% Florida 6% Ohio 6% Michigan Smaller proportions from 42 other states and Washington, D.C. ORV Permit holder/camp owner International visitors — CAUTION! N=4 25% Cuba 25% Dominican Republic 25% Germany 25% Spain 99%, N=625 U.S. visitors — 99%, N=625 96% Florida 1% Ohio Smaller proportions from 8 other states

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Number of visits to preserve in the past 12 months General visitorORV Permit holder/Camp owner survey 63% first time visitors81% have visited 5 or more times Number of lifetime visits to preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Visitor perceptions of preserve management Figure 12: Visitor groups who were aware that national preserves are managed differently than national parks Figure 11: Visitor groups who were aware that national preserves are managed differently than national parks General visitorORV Permit holder/Camp owner survey

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Sources of information used to plan visit General visitor ORV Permit holder/Camp owner survey “Other” sources (14%) included (most common responses): Information from FWC Hunting regulations Previous visit

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service 76% of visitor groups obtained information about the preserve prior to this visit. 88% of visitor groups received the information about the preserve that they needed Information needed, but not available from these sources included (most common responses): Camping Preserve features Information about the trails 31% of visitor groups obtained information about the preserve prior to this visit 89% of visitor groups received the information about the preserve that they needed Information needed, but not available from these sources included (most common responses): Detailed map Information about the trails Water levels General visitor ORV Permit holder/Camp owner survey 64% NPS preserve website 52% Travel guides/tour books/publications Future sources of information preferred 61% NPS preserve website 56% Friends/relatives/word of mouth Sources of information (continued)

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, various years. Proportion of U.S. households with computers and internet access Source: Visitor Services Project visitor studies, FY05-07

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service 21% of visitor groups were residents of the area. Most visited places: 61% Everglades NP 55% Everglades City 51% Naples Places visited in the South Florida region 50% of visitor groups visited places in South Florida other than the preserve Most visited places: 54% Naples 50% Everglades City 46% Everglades NP 85% 1 vehicle50% 1 vehicle 28% 2 vehicles 22% 3 or more vehicles Number of vehicles used to arrive at preserve ORV Permit holder/camp ownerGeneral visitor 92% of visitor groups said that the preserve was their primary destination Number of entries into preserve 57% entered once 26% 2 times 66% entered once 15% 2 times

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Permit Holder / Landowner Overnight stays 56% of groups stayed overnight in South Florida region Preserve 48% Private camp 37% Backcountry camping Preserve 36% 2 nights 25% 3 nights West Coast communities 44% 3 nights 33% 4+ nights CAUTION! West Coast CAUTION! 45% Lodge, motel, hotel/B&B, etc. 36% Camping in RV/trailer park East Coast communities 63% 4+ nights 25% 2 nights CAUTION! East Coast CAUTION! 57% Residence of family or relatives 29% Personal seasonal residence 29% Lodge, motel, hotel/B&B, etc. Overnight lodging Number of nights

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service General Visitors Overnight stays 70% of groups stayed overnight in South Florida region Preserve 50% Camping in RV/trailer park 28% Tent camping in campground Preserve 32% 7+ nights 21% 2 nights West Coast communities 36% 7+ nights 22% 3-4 nights West Coast 53% Lodge, motel, hotel/B&B, etc. 23% Residence of family or relatives East Coast communities 34% 1-2 nights 30% 7+ nights East Coast 60% Lodge, motel, hotel/B&B, etc. 21% Residence of family or relatives 21% Camping in RV/trailer park Number of nights Overnight lodging

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Length of visit

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Wildlife management unit visited “Other”wildlife management unit (6%) included: Loop Unit Deep Lake Unit Addition Lands Area Florida National Scenic Trail ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Backcountry access points ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Backcountry access 54% of visitor groups (N=596) wanted to explore the backcountry 60% were able to explore the backcountry Most common reasons why visitors did not access backcountry: Lack of time Did not have appropriate equipment Lack of information/knowledge General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner 95% of visitor groups (N=231) wanted to explore the backcountry 85% were able to explore the backcountry Most common reasons why visitors did not access backcountry: Inadequate trails Limited trails Limited access for airboats/swamp buggies Limited ORV access

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Backcountry access: Types of transportation used ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Type of vehicle/equipment owned ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service 71% of vehicles/equipment were primarily used in backcountry Purchase date 57% 2001 to present 21% from 1991 to % from 1965 to 1990 Purchased in S. Florida? 85% was purchased in South Florida Cost 51% up to $5,000 34% $5,001 to $10,000 15% more that $10,001 Condition when purchased 60% new 36% used from private owner 5% used from a dealer Details about type of vehicle/equipment owned

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Activities on this visit ORV Permit holder/camp owner “Other” activities (10%) included (most common responses): Scouting for hunting Property maintenance Work on camp

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Visitor facilities used General visitor ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Combined proportions of “extremely important” and “very important” ratings General visitor ORV Permit holder/camp owner Importance of visitor facilities

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Combined proportions of “very good” and “good” ratings ORV Permit holder/camp owner General visitor Quality of visitor facilities

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Information services used General visitor ORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Combined proportions of “extremely important” and “very important” ratings General visitor ORV Permit holder/camp owner Importance of information services

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Combined proportions of “very good” and “good” ratings General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner Quality ratings for information services

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Perception of crowding at visitor facilities ORV Permit holder/camp owner The highest general visitor crowding rating was for campgrounds 11% “extremely crowded” or “very crowded.”

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Total expenditures inside and outside of the preserve Expenditures General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Proportions of total expenditures: (most common responses) 36% Hotels/motels/cabins/B&B, etc. 18% Restaurants and bars 11% Groceries and takeout food Expenditures Average visitor group: $1,073 Median visitor group (1/2 spent more; 1/2 spent less): $370 Average per capita: $484 Proportions of total expenditures: (most common responses) 25% Groceries and takeout food 25% Gas and oil Restaurants and bars 21% All other purchases Expenditures Average visitor group: 689 Median visitor group (1/2 spent more; 1/2 spent less): 200 Average per capita: $236 General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner Expenditures (continued)

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Future visit to Big Cypress Addition Lands Area 52% of visitor groups (N=620) would likely visit Addition Lands in the future 30% of visitor groups would likely visit Addition Lands in the future if outfitters/guides were available Preferred activities (most common): - Hiking - Camping -Wildlife watching -Birdwatching 71% of visitor groups (N=238) would likely visit Addition Lands in the future 18% of visitor groups would likely visit Addition Lands in the future if outfitters/guides were available Preferred activities (most common): - Hunting - Off road driving - Camping - Fishing General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service 89% combined proportions of “very good” and “good” quality ratings Overall quality of visitor facilities, services, and recreational opportunities General visitorORV Permit holder/camp owner 70% combined proportions of “very good” and “good” quality ratings

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service What visitors liked most about their visit to the preserve (most common responses) -Enjoyed nature/outdoors -Enjoyed the peace of the site -Solitude -Lack of crowds -Nature/wildlife viewing -Trails What visitors liked least about their visit to the preserve (most common responses) -Poor trail system -Nothing to dislike -Regulations -Bugs/mosquitos -Harassment from preserve personnel -Staying on designated trails

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Planning for the future proposals (most common responses) -Allow more access -Add more ORV trails -Allow more hunting -Create more trails Addition comments (most common responses) -Enjoyed visit -Beautiful place -Increase accessibility -Keep preserving it -Review and adjust the regulations

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Visitor comments

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service

Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service