Website Development Recommendations for Midwest State Wildlife Areas

Abstract

Though the specific mission of state managed wildlife areas may differ, many wildlife areas attract similar groups of people interested in outdoor recreation activities, such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching. Websites are often the main informational link between state wildlife areas and visitors. The Internet is a powerful tool that provides natural resource personnel with nearly limitless possibilities for information sharing. Unfortunately, users of the Internet are becoming increasingly discerning in their tastes for Internet content. Wildlife area websites must meet both the content and design demands of their target audiences. This study surveyed wildlife agency personnel from five different states, IN, MN, MI, OH, and WI, to develop a list of recommendations highlighting the most important components of wildlife area websites. Also surveyed were visitors of a state wildlife area in central Wisconsin, the George W. Mead Wildlife Area, to determine what wildlife area visitors felt were the most important components of a wildlife area website. By creating recommendations for the information that should be included in a wildlife area website, this study will allow managers of wildlife areas to access guidelines to follow when creating or updating a website at their own facilities. These guidelines enable the most effective use of time and resources when developing and maintaining a website. Implementing these recommendations may also improve the effectiveness of communication targeting different wildlife stakeholders.