Dear Ontario Field Ornithologists member, My name is Julia Coburn; I am a graduate student at the University of Waterloo with a focus on park management planning. To assist in our knowledge of park management plans in Ontario Provincial Parks, I am interested in understanding the perspectives of key park stakeholders. I hope that this information will help determine what visitor and tourism content stakeholders believe should be present in park management plans, and * I need your help*.
I am requesting collaboration from park stakeholders (visitors, non-governmental organization* *staff and members, local residents, tourism operators, and park staff)* *of Algonquin, Pinery, and Sandbanks Provincial Parks to complete our online survey (see below). For individuals with a particular interest in park management, we would also be interested in having the opportunity to interview them by phone, though this is optional. *(1) FILLING OUT OUR ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE.* This questionnaire will ask you to rate the detail you believe various visitor and tourism policies should be stated in park management pans. It will take less than 10 minutes of their time by following the link below. Your feedback will be highly valuable. * QUESTIONNAIRE LINK (click on link to the right): *http://edu.surveygizmo.com/s3/487138/Ontario-Parks-Management-Plans-Policy-Detail-Questionnaire *(2) PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERVIEW (Optional)*. This phone interview will ask you more in depth questions about park management planning and park management plans. It will take less than 30 minutes time at your convenience. If you are interested in participating in an interview, please email Julia Coburn at [email protected] or call at (519) 501-6758. *Participant Information:* This study wants the perceptions of five stakeholder groups:* 1) Visitors, 2) Local Residents, 3) Tourism Operators, 4) Park Staff and 5) Non-Governmental Organization Staff and Members*. We are going to concentrate on the management plans of three prominent and highly used Natural Environment Class Parks – *Algonquin, Pinery, and Sandbanks Provincial Park*. Deadline for feedback is *APRIL 28, 2011.* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the Office of Research Ethics, University of Waterloo. However, the final decision about participation belongs to individual participants. If you have any questions regarding this study or would like additional information to assist you in reaching a decision about participation, please contact Julia Coburn at (519) 501-6758 or by email [email protected]. You may also contact my supervisor, Professor Paul Eagles at (519) 888-4567ext. 32716 or by email [email protected]. I hope that the results of my study will be beneficial to the individual participants, as well as the broader park management community. I very much look forward to hearing your feedback and thank you in advance for your assistance with this project. Thank you kindly for your time and consideration. Yours Sincerely, *Julia Coburn * MES Candidate School of Planning University of Waterloo *Paul Eagles * Professor University of Waterloo _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
