Reducing Theft of Petrified Wood at Petrified Forest National Park

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn J. Widner ◽  
Joseph Roggenbuck
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiment ◽  
National Park ◽  
Primary Resource ◽  
Resource Protection ◽  
Petrified Wood ◽  
Petrified Forest National Park ◽  
Petrified Forest

The theft of petrified wood from Petrified Forest National Park is the park's primary resource-protection problem. Several interventions to control theft currently exist in the park, yet an estimated 12 tons of wood disappear from the park each year. This study evaluated three interventions to reduce the theft of wood from the park. Tested interventions included a sign, a signed pledge, and a uniformed volunteer. A field experiment revealed that all three interventions significantly reduced theft of wood over control conditions. In addition, the interventions were not significantly different from each other in their effectiveness.

Understanding Park Visitors’ Response to Interventions to Reduce Petrified Wood Theft

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Widner Ward ◽  
Joseph Roggenbuck
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Subjective Responses ◽  
Petrified Wood ◽  
Petrified Forest National Park ◽  
Petrified Forest

This study examined why theft of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park occurred and how designed interventions worked to inhibit the performance of that behavior. This evaluation was based on semi-structured interviews with observed thieves and non-thieves. Subjective responses revealed that theft was not a thoughtless act, but instead occurred because thieves rationalized that their particular act of theft was acceptable. The primary rationalization given by thieves was that their piece of stolen wood was so small that taking it would not hurt anything. It appeared as though anti-theft messages were received by all of those interviewed, but that thieves only applied these messages to the larger pieces of wood. In addition, most thieves did not view taking a little chip as stealing. There was not one primary message from the interventions processed by respondents, but instead many different messages were received and may have been impacting behavior.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document