Notice of Intent: Wupatki and Sunset Crater NM Visitor Use Study | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Wupatki and Sunset Crater NM Visitor Use Study" Notice of Intent?

It is a National Park Service (NPS) funding opportunity focused on improving how the Flagstaff Area National Monuments (FLAG) understand and manage visitor experiences by carrying out visitor use studies at specific monument units.

Which parks are included in the Flagstaff Area National Monuments (FLAG)?

FLAG is a group of three connected sites in northern Arizona: Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument.

Which FLAG units are the focus of the proposed visitor use studies?

The proposed visitor use studies are specifically planned for Sunset Crater National Monument (SUCR) and Wupatki National Monument (WUPA).

Why is the National Park Service pursuing visitor use studies at these monuments?

The NPS indicates that very little social science research has been conducted across these monuments, leaving managers with limited information about visitor characteristics and use patterns. The studies are intended to fill that gap and provide management-ready information.

What problem or management need is this project trying to address?

The monuments are experiencing rising visitation, increasing the urgency to understand who visitors are, what they do, and what they need. The project is meant to provide data that helps managers evaluate services, facilities, and programs against visitor needs and expectations, and to support future planning and management strategies.

How much land and what kinds of resources do the FLAG monuments protect?

Together, the three monuments protect more than 40,000 acres of high desert landscapes, including canyons, mesas, mountains, and volcanic terrain. They also include a major cultural resource base with over 3,000 archaeological sites such as pueblos and cliff dwellings.

What visitation trend is mentioned as a reason for increased urgency?

Walnut Canyon National Monument is cited as an example of rising visitation, increasing from 135,230 to 153,322 recreation visits in 2015, which is described as a 13.4 percent increase.

What is a "Visitor Use Study" (VUS) in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, a visitor use study is a structured effort to collect survey data about how people use the parks, including visitor demographics, trip characteristics, experiences, expectations, needs, and patterns of site use.

What types of information will the study collect from visitors?

The study is designed to document visitor demographics, trip characteristics, experiences, expectations, needs, and patterns of site use, and to capture the variety of ways people use these parks.

Will the survey results be generalizable to the broader visitor population?

Yes. The description states the project will collect survey data that can be generalized to the broader visitor population during the selected sampling window.

What is meant by the "sampling window"?

The sampling window refers to the time period chosen for data collection. The project aims to produce results that represent the broader visitor population during that specific period.

What survey methods or instruments will be used?

The effort will rely on standardized survey questions that have already been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and used in many previous NPS studies.

Why does it matter that the survey questions are OMB-approved?

Using previously approved instruments is described as reducing administrative friction and increasing comparability with other National Park Service visitor studies, while improving the likelihood that resulting data will be consistent, credible, and usable for decision-making.

How will the study results be used by park managers?

The information gathered is intended to help managers evaluate how well current services, facilities, and programs align with visitor needs and expectations, guide adjustments to programming and visitor services, and provide foundational input for anticipated planning projects and broader management strategies.

Does the opportunity include an education or training component?

Yes. A central feature described is hands-on training for students, framed as a real-world learning experience where undergraduate and graduate students participate in planning and conducting visitor research.

What kinds of skills are students expected to gain through this project?

Students are expected to gain applied skills in social science fieldwork, sampling approaches, visitor contact procedures, and data collection aimed at producing findings that park managers can use.

Which students are referenced in the opportunity description?

The description notably references ASU students as participants in the visitor research activities.

What federal agency is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

What type of funding opportunity is this?

It is described as a discretionary grant.

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration between the NPS and the recipient during the project.

What is the CFDA number and activity category listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.945, and the funding activity category is Natural Resources.

Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The description also notes that additional eligible entities may be possible as indicated by the opportunity's eligibility clarification field.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is P16AS00370.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) mentioned?

The award ceiling is $50,602.

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

It was created on July 21, 2016, and it originally closed on July 30, 2016.

What are the main expected benefits of this project?

The opportunity highlights a dual benefit: improving park management through better information about visitor use and experiences, and providing hands-on, real-world training for students conducting applied visitor research.

How does rising visitation connect to natural and cultural resource protection?

The description links growing visitation to increased pressure on natural and cultural resources, and positions the study as foundational input for planning and management strategies as visitation continues to rise.