Davis - Division of Forestry & Natural Resources | David Smaldone

David Smaldone

Home » Faculty and Staff » David Smaldone

Dave Smaldone, PhD

Assistant Professor
of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources

Contact Information

West Virginia University
Division of Forestry and Natural Resources
PO Box 6125
Morgantown, WV 26506-6125

Telephone: (304) 293-7404
Fax: (304) 293-2441
Email: david.smaldone@mail.wvu.edu

Education

Ph.D., University of Idaho (Resource Recreation and Tourism, College of Natural Resources), 2000

Professional Employment

Courses Taught

RPTR 485. Professional Development Seminar
RPTR 242. Environmental, Historical, and Cultural Interpretation
RPTR 691. Advanced Interpretive Techniques

Research Interests

Environmental and Cultural Interpretation; Place attachment; Parks and protected area management; Nature-based tourism

Recent Projects:

Mail-back survey and In-depth interviews with visitors and locals in Grand Teton National Park, WY, focusing on place attachment in Jackson Hole

Developing new concessionaire interpretive guide training program in Grand Teton National Park

Interpretive exhibit planning in Grand Teton National Park

The WVU coordinator for the new University Consortium Field Certificate in Ecotourism. This is a collaboration between The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and five member universities: 1) WVU, 2) Penn State University, 3) North Carolina State University, 4) University of Florida-Gainesville, and 5) California Polytechnic University. Ask for more information about this exciting experiential opportunity to study ecotourism & sustainable development!

Working to start the West Virginia Environmental Education Association (WVEEA). Partners include the Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center, EPA, USFWS (based out of the NCTC), and others around the state. Currently have a Master’s student completing their project related to this endeavor.

Professional Affiliations

Selected Publications

Smaldone, D., Harris, C.C., Sanyal, N., & Lind, D. (2005). Place attachment and management of critical park issues in Grand Teton National Park. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration; 23 (1), 90-114.

Smaldone, D., Harris, C., & Sanyal, N. (2005). Place Attachment as Process: The Case of Jackson Hole, WY. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25, 397-414.

Smaldone, D. (2001). A Study of Grand Teton National Park Visitors Summer & Fall 2000: Characteristics, critical issues and special places. Publication # 946, Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. 67pp.

Smaldone, D., and C.C. Harris. (1997). Sense of Place on the Clearwater National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Clearwater National Forest, Orofino, ID. Idaho Forestry, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

Smaldone, D., and C.C. Harris. (1997). Place Attachment in Grand Teton National Park. Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in the Western U.S. conference. October, 2001. Alta, WY.