From ranger talks to radio stations: The role of communication in sense of place

Abstract

Considerable scholarship has demonstrated that the tenure and quality of our experiences and the physical characteristics of the setting help to predict sense of place (SOP). Less research has examined how communication contributes to place meanings and attachment. Working from the general premise that communication produces meaning, this study examined how exposure to communication about a national park contributes to visitor meanings and attachment to these places. Using survey data from three national parks, this study demonstrated that visitors envisioned parks as blending "natural" and "human" elements. Results suggest that park-related communication contributes to SOP, independent of variables commonly used to predict this concept. Theoretical implications and avenues for future research are discussed.