The Park Solutions Lab

A couple weeks ago, as everyone began adjusting to quarantine and the socially distant lifestyle, the Park Solutions Lab members had a meeting to talk about the innovations in our research during this time. National Parks have been shut down for the public health and safety of all people. Our team is still in the middle of a large-scale research project at Joshua Tree National Park. This time has been a cool way to explore new methods and connect with new people!
@ Clemson, South Carolina

Team member spotlight!
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Drop some 💛🌻 in the comments to celebrate Cait successfully defending her thesis yesterday!!
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Cait is a Masters student in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and is from Saint Louis, Missouri. Cait works as a Project Coordinator and Masters Research Assistant in the Parks Solutions Lab where she has had the opportunity to network with other highly motivated and passionate social scientists. Her favorite Park Solutions Lab project is to assess the visitor estimation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Cait’s hobbies include: hiking, backpacking, going to concerts, and reading at coffee shops.

CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 to:

•John Nettles, M.A.

•Michael Blacketer, PhD.

•Brian Peterson, PhD.

An amazing and full day of ZOOM defenses for our Park Solutions Team. Comment some 🎉🥳💛 to let these team members know you are celebrating with them!! @ Clemson, South Carolina

We hope everyone is enjoying their spring break / quarantine so far!!
remember that and are not the only options when you are self-quarantined.

The Park Solutions Lab team wants to encourage you to get outside, explore your local or state parks, spend solitary time in nature and in self-reflection!
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please note: this photograph was taken prior to the CDCs social-distancing guidelines.

we love a LUNCH AND LEARN! 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️
In the Parks Solutions Lab we have weekly Wednesday meetings. But every other week that meeting includes a meal or snack and one of our team members presents about a topic to help us ALL become better professionals.
Thanks to the Mammoth Cave team for sharing about their research experience! We can’t wait for phase II.

@ Clemson University

The Park Solutions Lab Team just returned from the first phase of data collection at Mammoth Cave National Park (MACA). One of our three new PhD students, Benjamin Fowler, is the project coordinator for MACA.

This segment of the research primarily involved measurements along the various trails in the Park. The second phase will focus on visitor use perspectives and data collection is scheduled to take place in April.

@ Mammoth Cave National Park

Join us in congratulating Bess on the publication of her new journal article! ⠀
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If you want to learn more, you can access the article here: https://buff.ly/39mqpA0

The Park Solutions Lab Team is excited for BIG THINGS coming in Spring 2020 including:

• On-site data collection phase II at Joshua Tree National Park
• The final analysis and report of our Katmai/Lake Clark National Parks & Preserve
• Analysis of Bonneville Salt Flats data
• Finalizing phase I of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report
• Preparation to start a new project at Mammoth Cave National Park.
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Drop some 💚💚💚 in the comments to help welcome our three new PhD students and Park Solution Lab team members!
We can’t wait to formerly introduce Dani, Ben, and Parma’s in our updated website

Team Member Spotlight!
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Meet Brian.
He is a PhD candidate for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and a traveling nomad currently residing in Clemson, South Carolina.
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Brian works as a Project Coordinator and Research Assistant in the Parks Solutions Lab on projects related to visitor use management at parks and protected areas, with an emphasis on Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis.
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Brian’s favorite Park Solutions Lab project is the analysis of flight patterns for helicopter tours at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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Brian’s hobbies include backpacking, trail running, and poetry.

holiday greetings from everyone in the Clemson PRTM department! the team had a great time celebrating the season with good food and even better friends.
we hope you do the same!!
❤️💚❄️☃️
comment below to share any fun holiday traditions you have!!
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@ Clemson, South Carolina

Dr. Matthew Brownlee met with the National Park Service in the Capital Region to discuss visitor use at The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. This canal runs 184 miles along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland, MD and was operated from 1831 until 1924 with the primary purpose of transporting coal.
It is now managed as a historical district by the NPS.
@ C&O Canal