Sonora, CA…The Stanislaus National Forest will begin year-long National Visitor Use Monitoring surveys on October 1st, 2016, at recreation sites and along roads throughout the forest. These brief surveys are conducted on every forest every five years and help us better understand who is coming to the forest and what the public wants from their experience while they are here.

Staff conducting the survey’s will be in Forest Service uniform, wearing bright orange vests with signs nearby indicating, “Traffic Survey Ahead”. These well trained employees will request an interview with you regarding your visit to the national forest. All information you give is confidential and the survey is voluntary. The questions visitors are asked include topics such as where they recreated on the National Forest, how long they were on the Forest, and how satisfied they were with the facilities and services provided.
Though the survey is voluntary we ask visitors to consider taking this brief survey during their visit to the forest. The information gathered not only provides guidance for forest and local community planning but also helps the US Forest Service identify trends and how we can best meet the needs of the visitors.
Public Services Staff Officer Beth Martinez shared “We need to provide management and resources for future generations. The more Forest managers know about the visitors, especially their satisfaction and desires, the better we can provide for their needs.”
For more information about this effort you can visit our web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum, send an email to kimberlypeterson@fs.fed.us, or call Kimberly Peterson at (209) 288-6310.