Socioeconomic Monitoring

Socioeconomic Monitoring (SEM) helps the public, individual parks, NPS leadership, and other decision makers to better understand socioeconomic trends over time. Central to the project is implementation of the SEM Visitor Survey at a sample of 24 park units per year. Year 1 of the Visitor Survey fieldwork is completed, with the newly published SEM National Report, and Year 2 fieldwork is currently underway. The selected parks are pulled from categories of visitation level and park type, and the selected parks change each year. Their selection provides a statistically valid sample chosen to be representative of the wider NPS system. SEM findings will provide up to date insight for strategic resource use, better understanding of Visitor Spending Effects, improved visitor experience, non-visitor engagement, and improved equity of access to parks.

What We Do: SEM Populations of Focus

Glacier National Park

NPS Photo/Alex Stillson

Park Visitors

Each year, SEM visitor surveys are conducted at 24 park units. Park units of all types and sizes are randomly selected in a process described here: Park Selection. This process provides a study sample representative of the wider park system.

Visitors at these parks are asked about trip characteristics, spending (to contribute to Visitor Spending Effects), experiences, perceptions, demographics, and more. For the first time, NPS will have system-wide data on annual socioeconomic trends. Additionally, individual parks will benefit from data particular to their park or trends from parks of a similar type. Learn more at our SEM Visitor Survey Site and the Visitor Survey Process Visualization Page.

Independence Hall National Historical Site

NPS Photo

American Public

The Comprehensive Survey of the American Public (CSAP) provides insight from both visitors and non-visitors. Each CSAP iteration asks members of the public about park visitation, expectations of visits, view of NPS, and barriers to inclusion in the parks.

CSAP provides the only comprehensive source of this information at this time. With it, NPS leadership can better understand how the American public views the role of NPS and how well it currently fulfills that role, especially with regards to equity of access to parks. Reports from data collected include a national report, regional-level reporting, and topical reports about specific issues.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

NPS Photo

Other Populations

During the needs assessment phase of SEM over ten years ago, numerous populations were considered for long-term monitoring. Other groups such as park partners, NPS employees, gateway community residents, etc. were identified as valuable perspectives for collecting information. SEM staff will continue to explore possibilities for including collections and administration procedures to collect status and trend information on these populations as bureau needs arise.

For more information: (2010) NPS Socioeconomic Monitoring Needs Assessment