Environmental Worldviews and Litter Management Behaviors in Idaho Parks and Protected Areas

Authors: Mary Engels, Mandira Panta, Chris Zajchowski

Abstract

Littering in U.S. parks and protected areas poses an increasing management challenge as visitation rises. We examined how environmental worldviews influenced litter disposal behaviors and management preferences among recreational visitors. Surveys were administered to campers (N = 537) across four Idaho State Parks and one U.S. National Forest. Using the revised New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) results indicate that campers held moderately strong pro-environmental worldviews (M = 3.84 out of 5), with 86% of respondents expressing concern about litter in public spaces. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that higher NEP scores significantly predicted self-reported waste disposal behavior (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), though frequency of camping did not. Linear mixed-effect modeling showed that NEP significantly predicted overall support for litter reduction strategies (F(1, 473) = 48.528, p < 0.001), with campers rating infrastructure-based approaches more favorably than enforcement (i.e., monetary fines). The NEP x strategy interaction, however, revealed that campers with higher NEP scores were more open to monetary fines than campers with lower NEP scores. These findings suggest recreational users with pro-ecological worldviews will support a range of interventions to reduce litter when provided adequate infrastructure and information. The high NEP scores among recreational users provide optimism for implementing effective pro-environmental strategies that support the long-term sustainability of public recreational spaces.

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