Vermont Tourism Research Center

Participatory Modeling of Tourism and Recreation in the Northern Forest

Researchers helped Northern Forest communities to make better-informed decisions regarding recreation and tourism development. They combined diverse perspectives gained through stakeholder involvement with the analytical tools of dynamic modeling.

Outcomes and Products

Researchers held a series of participatory modeling workshops in the Northern Forest region where participants created computer models that describe recreation and tourism issues in their communities. In addition to the models that were created, the modeling process had positive impacts including strengthening relationships, promoting systems thinking, and helping to build consensus.

Researchers

Lisa Chase, Roelof Boumans, and Stephanie Morse of the University of Vermont

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Report and Summary 2007

Northeastern States Research Cooperative Project Report and Summary: Community Members Develop a Shared Model for Recreation and Tourism in the Northern Forest

Journal Article

Chase, L., R. Boumans, and S. Morse. 2011. Participatory Modeling as a Tool for Community Development Planning: Tourism in the Northern Forest. Community Development 41(3):385-397. (PDF)

Funding for this project was provided in part by the Northeastern States Research Cooperative, a partnership of the Northern Forest states in coordination with the USDA Forest Service.