Quaking Aspen | Socially Valued, Ecologically in Decline

Georgie Corkery, a Masters student at Utah State University, has been studying the Quaking Aspen forest at RTS for over 2 years. After analyzing the ecological evaluations and user surveys conduced at RTS, Georgie is ready to share her findings.

During the Naturalist Hike, Georgie will guide you on and off trail through the Quaking Aspen forest (about a 1 mile loop), sharing her findings.

Light drinks and snacks will be provided.

If you would like to learn more, below is a summary of Georgie's research.

Socially valued, ecologically in decline: Place attachment influences support for management actions in a quaking aspen forest impacted by recreation, soil contamination, and ungulates.

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) are key trees in North America, valued both ecologically and socially. Threats such as uninhibited ungulate browsing, climate change, and development jeopardize their existence. Through landscape evaluation and user intercept surveys in Summit County, Utah, our study aims to inform managers on preserving aspen by understanding ecological conditions and user values, offering insights for managing similar high-use landscapes.

Host or Publisher Basin Recreation