Understanding and mitigating wilderness therapy impacts: The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument case study

Amelia Romo; Jeffrey L. Marion; Jeremy Wimpey; Derrick Taff; Forrest Schwartz

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Understanding and mitigating wilderness therapy impacts: The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument case study

Amelia Romo·Jeffrey L. Marion·Jeremy Wimpey·Derrick Taff·Forrest Schwartz

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Abstract

Studies demonstrate that wilderness therapy programs can be beneficial for participants; however, little research has explored the ecological impacts of these programs. A prominent wilderness therapy organization utilizes vast tracts of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) for programming. This study examines the specific ecological impacts stemming from the program in GSENM, concurrently with a content analysis of the training procedures administered by the organization. Results emphasize the need to improve education, training, and mitigation measures to minimize impacts stemming from this and other wilderness therapy programs in GSENM, as well as other wilderness areas in which these programs operate.

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Amelia Romo, Jeffrey L. Marion, Jeremy Wimpey, Derrick Taff, Forrest Schwartz. 2018. Understanding and mitigating wilderness therapy impacts: The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument case study. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70199433

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