An Exploration in Geologic Interpretation: Increasing Accessibility of Geologic Information in Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland

This study analyzes the upward trend in visitation to public lands across the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, employing Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland as a representative case study. Visitation and outreach data was collected on these public lands from June to August 2021 and was analyzed in conjunction with 20+ years of existing visitation data. Though increased visitation frequently exacerbates existing problems on public lands, it also provides an expansive opportunity for visitor outreach programs and geologic interpretation. This study suggests that more effective and accessible visitor education in geologic topics will foster a deeper connection between the individual and the land, an awareness of geologic time, and awareness of the long-term consequences one’s actions can have on the planet. Therefore, increased exposure to geologic interpretation on a societal scale will, over time, drive more people towards environmentally-conscious thought and action. This study concludes that the response to fill this niche must be multi-faceted. An effective and pandemic-conscious approach, proposed in this study, is a user-friendly, interactive phone application that presents geologic information to visitors in an interpretive, accessible, park ranger style