Matching goals and outcomes of park interpretation using the Theory of Planned Behaviour: A case study of Alberta's Provincial Parks

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Hvenegaard, Glen
  • Halpenney, Elizabeth
  • Gould, Joyce

• SSHRC Insight grant awarded 2017: The project aims to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of interpretive programs in Alberta's provincial parks, the factors influencing those outcomes, and the consistency of outcomes with staff perceptions of provincial goals, policies, and strategies. Park interpretation is a communication process that reveals meanings and relationships of cultural and natural heritage to the public. While interpretation aims to encourage park-friendly behaviour, increase knowledge, and generate positive attitudes, interpretation efforts in Canada face a key challenge: inconsistent approaches and outcomes. Additionally, as provinces implement results-based planning models, little is known about the long-term outcomes for participants in interpretive programs. Alberta is a representative case study since Alberta Parks faces many of the same management and planning issues for interpretive programs as other park systems across Canada.

• Date created

  2016-10-15

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Parks, policy
  • Education, environmental
  • Parks, interpretation
  • Successful Grant
  • IG
  • Evaluation
  • Insight Grant
  • SSHRC
  • Recreation
  • Environments
  • Leisure
  • Parks, provincial
  • Tourism, sustainable
  • 21st century
  • Alberta
  • Provincial Parks
  • Canada

• Type of Item

  Research Material

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3RV0DC3N

• License

  © Gould, Joyce. All rights reserved other than by permission. This document embargoed to those without UAlberta CCID until 2024.