ISU and NPS Adventure Outdoor Recreation History and Management Grant

Few previous studies have explored this topic in depth and provided documentation of this important part of the parkâ¿¿s outdoor recreation and management history, making this part of the parkâ¿¿s cultural history difficult to access and interpret. Consequently, NPS planners and decision-makers are disadvantaged in allocating limited resources to effectively manage the Snake River use and understand its historical background for patterns that may inform current and future decisions about the park. In addition, increasing visitor use of high elevation resources and mountain peaks also proves to be a challenge for park managers since data collection has decreased over the years. Visitors and the general public similarly lack an accessible means of viewing spatial and historical information about historic use and management of recreation in Grand Teton for educational and interpretive purposes.

Currently, NPS resource managers in GRTE lack baseline data for the ever-growing recreational activities that visitors and outdoor enthusiasts come to the park to enjoy. Park staff at GRTE, including staff in the Visitor & Resource Protection Division, Science and Resource Management Division, Interpretation, and Facility Management, all work to manage the park resources. Readily accessible historical records and data about the recreational use of the Scenic Snake River and the Teton Range will support park management and further academic study.