Our names are Aliya Brown, Ryan Heuss and Kendrew Van Gorder, and we are undergraduate students at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. We are working under the direction of Dr. Erika Barthelmess, a faculty member at St. Lawrence University. We are conducting research as part of a case study project for our Conservation Biology class. Our case study is focused on the A2A trail, a proposed recreation trail within the Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) wildlife corridor. Specifically, we are investigating the potential impacts that such a trail may have on the ability of wildlife to move through the corridor as intended. 

We are inviting you to participate in a survey which will benefit our study on recreation within the A2A corridor. Participation is voluntary, so you may choose whether or not to participate. This survey is expected to take approximately five minutes to complete. Any questions or concerns regarding this survey may be directed to Dr. Barthelmess. We are interested in learning more about local opinion and engagement in conservation projects and outdoor recreation opportunities. The following brief survey consists of a series of questions about your awareness of the A2A corridor, participation in outdoor recreation, and opinion of how recreation and conservation are related to each other.  All answers are anonymous and given information will remain confidential. At the end of the survey, respondents will have the option to click on a secondary link leading to a separate one-question survey in which they will provide information for delivery of the gift card if they are selected.  This process ensures that no link can be drawn between personal information and survey responses.  Security of this data will be maintained as only Dr. Barthelmess and the three student researchers will have access to data and results.  Data will not be shared beyond these people and will only be processed and discussed privately. Security will also be ensured through the use of a secure server for data that only researchers will have access to.  Additionally, if you prefer not to answer any given question, or choose to discontinue the survey, you have the opportunity to do so at any given time.  

This study will culminate in a written report which will be available by request from Dr. Barthelmess.  In addition, content related to the project and research results will be available through Nature Up North, which is a community-based organization based at St. Lawrence University. Participants also have the opportunity to receive a summary of results by contacting Dr. Barthelmess.  This will be available to participants after April 11.  

Survey responses will benefit our study by strengthening our understanding of local views of the relationship between conservation projects and outdoor recreation opportunities. If you do choose to respond to the survey you will have a chance of winning a $50 VISA gift card. If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Barthelmess via email. Please note that you must be 18 years or older to complete this survey. By completing this survey, you are indicating your consent to participate.