A program of research to support management of visitor-caused noise at Muir Woods National Monument

Abstract

Management of impacts to park resources and the quality of the visitor experience can be guided by the National Park Service Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) framework. This article describes a program of research to support application of this management framework to the soundscape of Muir Woods National Monument, California. Initial visitor surveys identified visitor-caused noise (e.g., loud talking, boisterous behavior) as an important indicator of quality, and a follow-up survey used a series of audio simulations to identify a standard of quality for visitor-caused noise. Monitoring found that the standard of quality for visitor-caused noise was sometimes violated. Two experimental management approaches to reducing visitor-caused noise were applied and both were found to be effective. Based on this program of research, a permanent quiet zone has been established in the park.