MEASURING SOUNDSCAPE CHANGE AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

This project will help Glacier National Park assess how the soundscape of the park has changed since the baseline study in 2004 and identify current threats to the natural soundscape. In 2022, Glacier National Park was awarded the first U.S. Wilderness Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International, indicating the importance of preserving the natural soundscape to the regional and international community. Noise pollution degrades the natural soundscape, which is all of the natural audible sounds within a specific area. Since 2004, the number of commercial air tours has decreased due to restrictions from Glacier’s Air Tour Management Plan while the number of visitors has increased by about 50%, having mixed impacts on the soundscape of the park. Many visitors come to national parks to experience the sounds of nature. As a Mosaics in Science intern for Glacier National Park I measured current sound levels and identified sound sources. To monitor sound levels and sources I set up a sound level meter, digital audio recorder, and anemometer at sites previously monitored in 2004. Using the National Park Service Acoustic Monitoring Toolbox, I analyzed both the 2004 and 2023 sound files then compared the data to determine how the soundscape has changed. In order to preserve this resource for future generations the natural soundscape needs to be managed and monitored. It is important to preserve the natural soundscape of wilderness areas to maintain wilderness character. Specifically, the biophysical environments, personal experiences, and symbolic meanings associated with wilderness. In addition to visitor experience, how wildlife navigate the landscape, from mating to locating prey to other complex communication is impacted by noise pollution. Monitoring how Glacier National Park’s soundscape has changed will inform park management on what threats to the natural soundscape need to be mitigated.