A National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey will be conducted on Mark Twain National Forest through Sept. next year. The information gathered is useful for forest planning and to help staff align recreation program and facilities in a way that provides the best customer service.
The NVUM provides Forest managers with an estimate of how many people recreate on the Forest, what activities they engage in while there, and how satisfied they are with their visits. Economic impacts to the local economy are also captured in the survey.
During the NVUM, the public may encounter employees working in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along Forest Service roads. They will be out in all types of weather conditions, wearing bright orange vests, and will have signs that say, “Traffic Survey Ahead.”
These surveys gather basic visitor information. Surveys are voluntary and all responses are confidential. Names are not included. Interviews last about 10 minutes. Questions asked include where visitors recreated on the Forest, how many people traveled with the group, how long they were on the Forest, and how satisfied they are with the facilities and services provided. Visitors may also be asked to complete a confidential survey on recreation spending during their trip.
“Although the survey is entirely voluntary, participation is extremely important so we can assess people’s experiences on the Forest and strive to make it a better place to visit,” said Ed Sherman, acting forest recreation program manager. “We would appreciate it if visitors would pull over and answer a few questions, so a wide sample is represented in the study.”
