Food Storage on the Appalachian Trail: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach to Understanding Backpacker Bear Canister Use

Improper food storage fuels human-bear conflicts in parks and protected areas around the globe. Bear-resistant food storage canisters provide an extremely effective solution for reducing food-related human-bear conflicts, especially for overnight visitors in backcountry settings. However, the success of this intervention depends on recreationists’ willingness to use and comply with such food storage methods. This study used internet-based surveys to identify Appalachian Trail backpackers’ attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions regarding the use of bear canisters through an application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Results indicate attitudes and subjective norms provide potential leverage points for messaging under voluntary conditions; messaging incorporating attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control may help influence food storage behavior under required conditions. Specific recommendations for effective, theory-based interpretation strategies aimed at reducing human-black bear conflicts on the Appalachian Trail are provided.

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Work Title Food Storage on the Appalachian Trail: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach to Understanding Backpacker Bear Canister Use
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Stephanie Freeman
  2. Ben Lawhon
  3. Peter Newman
  4. Brendan Derrick Taff
Keyword
  1. Theory of Planned Behavior
  2. Leave No Trace
  3. Food storage
  4. Bear canister
  5. Human-wildlife conflict
  6. Black bears
  7. Ursus americanus
  8. Appalachian Trail
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Journal of Interpretation Research
Publication Date December 30, 2021
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1177/10925872211065037
Deposited January 30, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added freeman-et-al-2021-food-storage-on-the-appalachian-trail-a-theory-of-planned-behavior-approach-to-understanding.pdf
  • Added Creator Stephanie Freeman
  • Added Creator Ben Lawhon
  • Added Creator Peter B Newman
  • Added Creator Brendan Derrick Taff
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Theory of Planned Behavior, Leave No Trace, Food storage, Bear canister, Human-wildlife conflict, Black bears, Ursus americanus, Appalachian Trail
    Publication Date
    • 2021-01-01
    • 2021-12-30
  • Renamed Creator Peter Newman Show Changes
    • Peter B Newman
    • Peter Newman
  • Updated