Page 13 - winter 2019

Friends oF red rock canyon 13

Respondents were asked to describe anything • Designated lanes at the main entrance center
they need to help them be more effective as a or fee booth area (a lane for credit cards,
volunteer at the Visitor Center Information Desk passes, cars, cyclists, ride shares, etc.)
or elsewhere at Red Rock Canyon. The most com- • Improving the information available to visi-
mon areas noted by respondents related to com-
munications. In addition to more communication tors on the main BLM RRC website
options during emergencies, many respondents
noted an interest in having more opportunities Other management options supported by at least
to formally interact with BLM staff and share 75% of respondents included:
their experiences, concerns and needs. They • Adding more trash cans at trailheads and
also expressed a need for more information (e.g. parking areas
fact sheets or brochures) to give to visitors about • Increasing outreach efforts to inform or edu-
tortoises, geology, wildlife and Leave No Trace cate visitors before arrival
practices. Other common requests were the need
for Wi-fi and cell service at the Visitor Center and • Installing electronic message boards on ma-
different places around the loop along with having jor highways indicating if RRC is at capacity
a special lane for volunteers when the entrance sta- • A voluntary (free) shuttle service for travel-
tion is full or busy. ling around the Scenic Loop Drive during
peak-use days or times
We asked respondents to indicate their agree-
ment with several statements about the level of • Installing a cell phone tower near the visitor
support from the BLM and the interaction they center
have with BLM personnel (see Table 1). Overall, • Translating Visitor Center materials
they greatly value the support and training op-
portunities (especially for working the desk at the Our initial analyses of the findings from the
Visitor Center) provided to them. However, volun- small group discussions and surveys with volun-
teers would like more opportunities for them and teers identify key issues from this key group of
the public to communicate with BLM personnel individuals. They are regular visitors who also
and to have an increased presence of BLM rangers contribute time advising and helping managers and
and other staff around the Scenic Loop Drive. other visitors in many ways. We look forward to
providing more in-depth analysis of these findings
At least 90% of respondents supported the fol- with other aspects of our capacity study assess-
lowing management options: ment. The final report that describes and integrates

• Improving signage along designated trails every aspect of our project will be complete in
early 2019.

Winter 2019