Visitor experience and resource protection framework in the National Park System: rationale, current status, and future direction

Abstract

The Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) framework was developed by the National Park Service to address carrying capacity questions associated with visitation-related resource impacts and impacts to the quality of visitor experiences. The framework can be applied as part of a park’s general management planning process (general management plans, GMPs), to address visitor use issues for parks with existing GMPs, or to address issues in specific areas within a park. This paper explores similarities and differences between VERP and other planning frameworks as well as assesses the National Park Service’s experience in applying VERP. Conceptual issues and changes that may be needed to make VERP more useful also are discussed.