Research provides guidance for discussing climate change risks in Acadia National Park
Tourism is one of the largest industries in Maine, and Acadia National Park serves as a major driver.
A new study led by Lydia Horne and overseen by Sandra De Urioste-Stone explores how perceptions of climate change risks may affect visitation and visitors’ experiences at the Park, and provides guidance for communicating about those risks.
The study is part of a three-phase research effort to assess how coastal tourist destinations can adapt to climate change through improved understanding of the associated risks and collaboration and was published in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
Horne, who received her Ph.D. in ecology and environmental sciences from UMaine in 2020, also co-led the Mitchell Center-funded project We’re All in This Together: Participatory Planning for Community-Based Climate Adaptation. De Urioste-Stone is associate professor of nature-based tourism and assistant vice president for research at UMaine and a Mitchell Center faculty fellow. Laura Rickard, associate professor of risk communication and Mitchell Center faculty fellow, also contributed to the study.
“Understanding the impacts of climate change on visitation can help park managers conserve natural and cultural resources, maintain a quality visitor experience, and provide economic benefits to nearby communities,” says De Urioste-Stone.
Read more about the study at UMaine News.