Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
The process of wildlife management involves identifying fundamental objectives of importance to society, then making decisions and taking actions to achieve those objectives. Key to the success of management is determining stakeholder-defined impacts to be managed that result from interactions among people, wildlife, and other components of the ecosystem. An approach for determining and managing levels of impacts as fundamental objectives is based on a recent methodological innovation called adaptive impact management (AIM). Conventional adaptive resource management focuses decision making on selection of enabling objectives that produce a particular wildlife population or habitat condition. AIM focuses decision making on achieving fundamental objectives defined as levels of wildlife-related impacts which are desirable or acceptable to stakeholders. The central assumption of AIM is that both integration of ecological and social dimensions of management, and involvement
by stakeholders are necessary to identify impacts to be managed, to develop fundamental objectives against which management success can be evaluated, and to garner support for the intensive efforts and experimentation needed in adaptive management. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), we continued to use two management case studies to evaluate adoption and implementation of AIM. In the first case study, we investigated efforts of DEC, private landowners, and hunters to use an AIM approach for identifying deer-related impacts to be managed, and for determining management actions to be tried experimentally to attain desired levels of positive impacts and reduce negative impacts to acceptable levels. We used a series of discussions with small groups of participants and a mail survey of all participants in our evaluation. Persons taking part in the group discussions experienced a process of social learning through which they gained
insights that other hunters and landowners generally lacked, particularly about identifying fundamental objectives in terms of levels of impacts and determining the kinds of enabling objectives or means necessary to achieve fundamental objectives. Some important impediments to the adoption of AIM by all landowners and hunters in the management unit included the amount of time and effort needed for social learning to occur and steadfast adherence to untested assumptions and poorly conceived notions of the management system. In the second case study, we examined efforts of bear managers to use an AIM approach to develop a statewide bear management plan, and management actions that would be necessary to implement the plan. We implemented a series of three meetings with various bear stakeholders in several areas of the state to identify fundamental and enabling objectives. While the process helped DEC better understand how stakeholders consider their interactions with bears and think
about bear management, we found translating impacts into fundamental objectives to be difficult. We also found that more intensive involvement processes may be needed to clarify fundamental objectives with stakeholders.
Impacts
DEC managers using the AIM approach have changed their own conceptions of the management system from one that produces various wildlife-related interactions to one that can produce desired and acceptable levels of impacts of importance to stakeholders. Deer and bear stakeholders also have benefited from using the AIM approach through refinement of the fundamental objectives they want managed, and by examining their own assumptions about whether various management alternatives can help meet those objectives.
Publications
- Enck, J. W., T. L. Brown, and D. Reihlman. 2003. Landowner and hunter response to implementation of a quality deer management (QDM) cooperative near King Ferry, New York. Human Dimensions Research Unit publication 03-7, Department of Natural Resources, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Science, Cornell University.
- Riley, S. R., W. F. Siemer, D. J. Decker, L. H. Carpenter, J. F. Organ, and L. T. Berchielli. 2003. Adaptive impact management: an integrative approach to wildlife management. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 8:81-95.
- Siemer, W. F. and D. J. Decker. 2003. 2002 NYS black bear management survey: study overview and findings highlights. Human Dimensions Research Unit publication 03-6, Department of Natural Resources, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Science, Cornell University.
- Bull, P., R. B. Peyton, W. F. Siemer, D. J. Decker, L. T. Berchielli, and T. F. Reis. 2003. Wildlife agency efforts to consider social carrying capacity in black bear management. Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society 10:87 (abstract).
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Wildlife management involves making decisions and taking actions to purposefully influence stakeholder-identified impacts that result from interactions among people, wildlife, and other components of the ecosystem. Successful management requires consideration of impacts associated with interactions in several broad categories, including interactions among wildlife, among wildlife and people, between people and the environment, and among people where wildlife is the reason for of the interaction. We have developed a methodological innovation called adaptive impact management (AIM) as a tool to be used to manage levels of impacts perceived and experienced by stakeholders. AIM builds on the strengths in logic of conventional adaptive environmental management, but addresses some of the social challenges of implementing an adaptive approach. Traditional adaptive management focuses decision making and selection of management interventions on achieving some wildlife
population or habitat condition. AIM focuses these management tasks on achieving levels of wildlife-related impacts which are desirable or acceptable to stakeholders. The central assumption of AIM is that both integration of ecological and social dimensions of management, and involvement by stakeholders are necessary to identify impacts to be managed, to develop objectives against which management success can be evaluated, and to garner societal support for the intensive efforts and experimentation needed in adaptive management. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), we continued to use two management case studies to evaluate adoption and implementation of the AIM approach. In the first case study, we are investigating the efforts of DEC, private landowners, and deer hunters to use an AIM approach for identifying impacts pertaining to quality deer management in a small management unit, and to determine management actions that could be
tried experimentally to attain desired levels of positive impacts and reduce negative impacts to acceptable levels. We are developing insights about potential impediments to the adoption of AIM through small group meetings with landowners and hunters, a survey of all landowners and hunters in the management area, and by developing models of stakeholders' assumptions and logic-trains pertaining to impacts and factors they believe influence those impacts. In the second case study, we are examining the efforts of bear managers to use an AIM approach to develop a statewide bear management plan, and management actions that would be necessary to implement the plan. Working closely with managers as they develop the plan has provided an opportunity to assess directly bear managers' attitudes towards AIM and impediments to implementation of the approach.
Impacts
DEC managers using the AIM approach have changed the way they think about bear and deer management, both in terms of evaluating success based on stakeholder-defined impacts rather than population levels and habitat characteristics, as well as assumptions they make about relationships between people-wildlife and people-people interactions and various impacts associated with those interactions. Hunters and landowners also have benefited from using the AIM approach to better identify and articulate some of the fundamental ends they seek from management, rather than just various means that could be used to modify wildlife population or habitat characteristics.
Publications
- Henry, R., J. W. Enck, and D. J. Decker. 2002. Enhancing confidence in deer management by focusing on deer-related impacts. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference (abstracts) 58:74.
- Riley, S. J., D. J. Decker, L. H. Carpenter, J. F. Organ, W. F. Siemer, G. F. Mattfeld, and G. Parsons. 2002. The essence of wildlife management. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30(2):585-593.
- Decker, D. J., T. B. Lauber, and W. F. Siemer. 2002. Human-wildlife conflict management: a practitioner's guide. Northeast Wildlife Damage Management and Research Cooperative. Ithaca, New York. 48pp.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The fundamental purpose of wildlife management is to manage effects that result from interactions among people, wildlife, and the environment. These interactions occur constantly in an environment that includes many natural and man-made components. Mangers must consider interactions in several broad categories, including interactions among wildlife, between wildlife and people, between people and the environment, and among people where wildlife is the reason for the interaction. Managers focus their attention on influencing a subset of effects that have positive or negative importance for people. This subset of effects that receives management attention is referred to as impacts. We have developed a methodological innovation called adaptive impacts management (AIM) as a tool to be used to manage impacts. AIM builds on the strengths in logic of conventional adaptive environmental management, but addresses some of the social challenges of implementing an adaptive
approach. Traditional adaptive management focuses citizen participation, objective setting, description of system models, and selection of management interventions on achieving some wildlife population or habitat condition. AIM focuses these management tasks on achieving desirable or acceptable levels of wildlife-related impacts to society. The central assumption of AIM is that multidisciplinary integration and participatory management will increase the likelihood of achieving desired impacts, and therefore promote important societal support for the intensive efforts and experimentation needed in adaptive management. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) we continued initial tests of AIM on black bear management statewide and white-tailed deer management in smaller geographic units. Our objectives are: (1) evaluate from the perspective of agencies and stakeholders, the feasibility of the AIM process for bear and deer in New York, and
(2) determine impediments to development and adoption of AIM for wildlife management. With DEC bear managers and using input about bear-related impacts identified in focus groups, we developed a dynamic management system model for black bear focused on reducing negative impacts that contribute to peoples' perception of risk from bears. Human safety issues related to risk perception were identified as being highly important by focus group participants. To validate the importance of specific impacts used in the model and to calibrate relationships among model components, we developed a questionnaire to be mailed to residents statewide in 2002. Simulations of the bear model will be used by DEC staff as one form of input to develop a statewide bear management plan. With DEC deer managers, and using input from private landowners and hunters on three 4,000-16,000 acre areas in central and southeastern New York, we started development of unit-specific management system models for deer. These
models will be further developed in 2002, and will be used to determine the best set of management actions and policies needed to achieve desired levels of impacts for landowners and hunters in those areas.
Impacts
Staff with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are using AIM on an experimental basis to refine a statewide bear management plan. DEC staff also are using AIM to identify new management actions and policies for deer management at the scale of management units.
Publications
- Enck, J. W. and T. L. Brown. 2001. Attitudes and beliefs of deer hunters participating in an earn-a-buck program at Cornell University's Arnot Forest. Human Dimensions Research Unit publication 01-10. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. USA. 53pp.
- Enck, J. W. and T. L. Brown. 2001. Participation by hunters in deer management at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Human Dimensions Research Unit publication 01-9. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. USA. 31pp.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Previous research on wildlife issues point to a conclusion that wildlife management must fundamentally refocus its purpose to one of managing impacts of wildlife on people. Events or interactions can be of several general types: inter- and intraspecific among wildlife, between wildlife and their environment, between wildlife and people, between people and wildlife habitat, and among people where wildlife is the reason for the interaction. Impacts are a translation or interpretation based on human values of the effects of various events and interactions related to wildlife and important to people. To manage impacts, especially with a focus on inevitable change and reduction of uncertainty, we developed a methodological innovation termed adaptive impact management (AIM). AIM builds upon the strengths in logic of conventional adaptive environmental assessment and management, but addresses some of the weaknesses attributed to the social challenges of implementing an
adaptive approach. AIM differs from traditional adaptive management in that citizen participation, objectives, systems models, and subsequent management interventions are based on impacts to society rather than solely pertaining to conditions of a wildlife population or habitat. The central assumption of AIM is that multidisciplinary integration and participatory management will increase the probability of achieving desired impacts, and therefore promote important societal support for the intensive efforts and experimentation needed in adaptive management. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), we began initial tests of AIM on two model systems of management: white-tailed deer management in several central New York wildlife management units, and black bear management statewide. The objectives are: (1) to evaluate, from the perspective of agencies and stakeholders, the feasibility of the AIM process for deer and black bear in New
York, and (2) to determine impediments to development and adoption of AIM for wildlife. This work is still in its initial stages, but early results suggest many NYSDEC programs are adopting aspects of AIM, particularly a focus on impacts. Another prong of our research was directed toward understanding the role and function of risk perception, attitudes and beliefs in wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity. WSAC is an estimate of the maximum number of a wildlife species that is acceptable to people in a particular area. Our findings suggest that WSAC may be modified most effectively through communication and management actions that affect stakeholder attitudes and beliefs about a species and their population levels, and affect perceptions of economic or health impacts to humans.
Impacts
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation, one of the key wildlife management agencies in the Northeast, has adopted AIM on an experimental basis for management of white-tailed deer and black bear.
Publications
- Brown, T.L., D. J. Decker, S. J. Riley, J. W. Enck, T. B. Lauber, and G. F. Mattfeld. 2000. The future of hunting as a mechanism to control white-tailed deer populations. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28(4): in press.
- Carpenter, L. H., D. J. Decker, and J. F. Lipscomb. 2000. Stakeholder acceptance capacity in wildlife management. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 5(4): in press.
- Chase, L. C., T. M. Schusler, and D. J. Decker. 2000. Innovations in stakeholder involvement: what's the next step? Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:208-217.
- Curtis, P.D., A.N. Moen, D.J. Decker, S.J. Riley, and G. Mattfeld. 2000. Approaching the limits of traditional hunter harvest for managing white-tailed deer populations at the landscape level. HDRU Publication 00-4. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca New York.
- Riley, S.J. and D.J. Decker. 2000. Wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity for cougars in Montana. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28(4): in press.
- Riley, S.J., and D.J. Decker. 2000. Risk perception as a determinant of wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity for cougars in Montana. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 5(4): in press.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
If society's interests are to be served through public wildlife management, there is an immediate need to accelerate the rate at which agencies and communities learn and adapt to continually changing sociological and ecological environments. Stakeholder processes are relied upon as one mechanism to produce timely, socially acceptable solutions in wildlife management. Despite the popularity of such processes, important elements are frequently omitted from them. Three of these processes are foci of this project: (1) understanding the role and function in stakeholder processes of beliefs about wildlife management, (2) design of context-specific, socially acceptable stakeholder involvement strategies, and (3) techniques to determine the social feasibility or potential capacity of communities to engage in co-management of wildlife, especially the restoration of species. One prong of the research revealed that resource agency engagement in certain stakeholder processes
couldn't be assumed to inform the larger community of stakeholders without purposeful use of mass media. This has major implications for assuring social acceptability and sustainability of wildlife management programs. Another prong of the research evaluated and compared pertinent techniques for citizen participation in the management of deer and elk in Colorado and several areas of New York. The studies clearly identified the need for stakeholder involvement strategies tailored to the capacity of communities for involvement. The third prong of this research assessed the relative capacity of communities to participate in restoration of elk in New York, resulting in the development of a novel approach to decision making about focal areas for restoration. Our experiences with stakeholder processes during this study have led to the following conclusions: (1) performance measures used in wildlife management typically focus on issues that are not relevant to stakeholders, (2) competing
paradigms of biologically-based and human dimensions-based wildlife management are impeding integration of the full range of considerations necessary to achieve comprehensive, socially acceptable outcomes from wildlife management, (3) a methodological innovation is needed to resolve the impediments to more comprehensive approaches, and (4) stakeholder demand for involvement in decisions, and need on part of the agency, is directing wildlife management toward co-management approaches. Additional inquiry is necessary to understand factors affecting adoption and successful implementation of co-management based on a truly integrative approach to incorporating sociological and biological insight for decision-making and using context appropriate stakeholder involvement approaches.
Impacts
Development of measurement tools to determine the relative capacity of communities for participation in wildlife management. Discovered that more suburban stakeholders find lethal management techniques acceptable to manage species that was previously assumed. Identification of priority areas to invest money for restoration of elk in New York.
Publications
- Chase, L.C., and D.J. Decker. 1998. Citizen attitudes toward elk and participation in elk management: a case study in Evergreen, CO. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 3(4):55-56.
- Chase, L.C., W.F. Siemer, and D.J. Decker. 1999. Suburban deer management: a case study in the village of Cayuga Heights, New York. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 4(2):59-60.
- Enck, J.W., and D.J. Decker. 1999. Assessing the social feasibility of restoring elk. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 4(1):68-69.
- Loker, C.A., J.E. Shanahan, and D.J. Decker. 1999. The mass media and stakeholders' beliefs about suburban wildlife. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 4(2):7-26.
- Loker, C.A., D.J. Decker, and S.J. Schwager. 1999. Exploring the wildlife tolerance theory: acceptable management actions in urban/suburban areas of New York. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27(1):153-159.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
Stakeholder processes are relied upon to produce socially acceptable solutions in wildlife management. Despite the popularity of such approaches, some important elements are frequently omitted from them. Three of these are the foci of this research: information utility within collaborative decision-making groups; information dissemination to the stakeholder segments represented by decision-making groups; and design of context-specific, publicly acceptable stakeholder strategies. One prong of the research revealed that lay people serving as stakeholder representatives do not benefit from or prefer direct interface with a GIS in collaborative decision making. They prefer the GIS to be in the background with a technician translating GIS in the form of standard format paper displays of data. Another prong of the research found that mass media have not been used effectively to keep stakeholders informed about the issues and rationales leading to resolution where citizen
task forces have been employed in deer management. This finding indicates that stakeholder involvement via task forces risk backlash from a community not kept abreast of developments. A third prong of inquiry has examined context-specific considerations for community-level stakeholder involvement approaches. A framework for revealing preferences of stakeholders for type of involvement has been developed and tested in studies of suburban elk management in Evergreen, CO and suburban deer management in Cayuga Heights, NY. Preferences for specific levels of involvement vary widely, but the desire for significant citizen stakeholder input was strong in both communities.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Decker, D.J., and Chase, L.C. 1997. Human dimensions of living with wildlife: a management challenge for the 21st century. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 25(4):788-795.
- Enck, J.W. and Decker, D.J. 1997. Examining assumptions in wildlife management: a contribution of human dimensions inquiry. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 2(3):56-72.
- Loker, C.A. 1996. Human Dimensions of Suburban Wildlife Management: Insights from Three Areas of New York State. MS Thesis, Cornell University.
- Pelstring, L.M. January 1999. Stakeholder Outreach and Citizen Task Forces: An Examination of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Public Participation Efforts Relating to Deer Management. MS Thesis, Cornell University.
- Loker, C.A., Decker, D.J. and Chase, L.C. 1998. Ballot initiatives--antithesis of human dimensions approaches or catalyst for change. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 3(2):8-20.
- Messmer, T.A., Cornicelli, L., Decker, D.J., and Hewitt, D.J. 1997. Stakeholder acceptance of urban deer management techniques. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 25(2):360-366. (invited paper for special topic issue of WSB).
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Stakeholder processes are increasingly relied upon to produce socially acceptable solutions in wildlife mgmt. Despite popularity of such approaches, some important objectives aren't effectively attended to in them. 3 have been the foci of this research: inform. utility within collaborative decision-making groups; inform. dissemination to stakeholder segments represented by decision-making groups; & design of context-specific, publicly acceptable, adaptive stakeholder involve. strategies. In one prong of the inquiry, preliminary results indicate that lay people don't benefit from directly interfacing with a GIS in collaborative decision making; rather prefer the GIS to be transparent with a tech. providing standard format paper displays of data to support decision-making. Another prong of inquiry found mass media hasn't been used effectively to keep stakeholders informed of issues & rationales leading to resolution by citizen task forces employed for deer mgmt
decision-making, thus risking the potential of major public backlash in decisions made by task forces. In the 3rd prong of this inquiry, literature review indicates inadequate attention has been given to context-specific design considerations for community & stakeholder involve. processes. A framework for such a novel approach has been developed & will be evaluated in 2 different contexts--elk management in Evergreen, CO and deer mgmt in N. Haven, NY. Interviews been conducted in CO & a mail survey instrument under development.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- DECKER, D. J. and L.C. CHASE. The human dimensions of living with wildlife: management challenges for the 21st century. Wildlife Society Bulletin, in press.
- DECKER, D. J. and L. C. CHASE. Human Dimensions approaches to citizen input: keys for successful policy. Pgs 95-106 in Deer as public goods & public nuisance: Issues and policy options in Maryland. Center for Agricultural & Natural Res
- LOKER, C.A., D. J. DECKER, and L. C. CHASE. Human dimensions implications of ballot initiatives: antithesis of human dimensions inquiry or catalyst for change? Human Dimensions of Wildlife, in
- Cynthia A. Loker, James Shanahan, and Daniel J. Decker (in press). The mass media and stakeholders' beliefs about suburban wildlife. Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Mitigating wildlife problems in suburban environments was the focus of surveys of residents of 3 areas: Town of Amherst (re: deer), City of Oneonta (re: beaver), and Merrit's Pond area of Riverhead (re: Canada geese). Level of concern about problems associated with referent species was related to acceptance of management, ranging from noninvasive to highly invasive actions. Residents who were highly concerned about problems were most supportive of lethal actions. Overall, many suburban residents supported invasive methods of problem abatement, including lethal actions, when problems were judged sufficiently severe. This study reveals how different people-wildlife conflict situations in suburban areas influence residents' acceptance of management actions. Solutions to problems associated with some species of wildlife (e.g., deer in rural areas) rely on hunting. Cultural production of people's identity as deer hunters in NY was examined from the standpoint of wildlife
agency influence on identity production. This exploratory study indicated that wildlife agencies, the primary source of interventions to influence participation in hunting, may not be of primary importance in identity production for most hunters. Women participate in hunting at a disproportionately low rate compared with men. A preliminary inquiry into this phenomenon identified some of the likely constraints to participation.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Loker, C. A. 1995. Human dimensions of suburban management: insights from three areas of New York State. M.S. thesis. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y.
- Enck, J. W. 1996. Deer-hunter identity spectrum: a human dimensions perspective for evaluating hunting policy. Ph. D. Dissertation. Cornell Univ. Ithaca, N.Y.
- Decker, D. J. and J. W. Enck. 1996. Human dimensions of wildlife management: knowledge for agency survival in the 21st century. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 1(2): 60-71.
- Curtis, P. D., D. J. Decker and R. J. Stout, R. J., D. J. Decker, B. A. Knuth, J. C. Proud, and D. H. Nelson. 1996. Comparison of three public involvement approaches for stakeholder input into deer management decisions: a case study.
- Wil Decker, D. J., C. C. Krueger, R. A. Baer, Jr., B. A. Knuth and M. E. Richmond. 1996. From clients to stakeholders: a philosophical shift for fish and wildlife management. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 1(1): 70-82.
- Stedman, R. C. and D. J. Decker. 1996. Illuminating an overlooked hunting stakeholder group: nonhunters and their interest in hunting. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 1(3): 29-41.
- Decker, D. J., T. L. Brown and B. A. Knuth. 1996. Human dimensions research: its importance in natural resource management. Pgs. 29-47 in Ewert, A. "Human dimensions research in natural resources management."Westview Press, Boulder, C.
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
Inquiries underway range from examination of specific stakeholder/wildlife-problem contexts, to wildlife recreational stakeholder analysis, to comprehensive wildlife policy network analysis. Stakeholders for wildlife conflict mitigation in urban/suburban areas of New York were surveyed to determine problems they experience with beaver, Canada geese, and white-tailed deer. Social acceptability of mitigation measures was assessed. The measures varied in degree of invasiveness for the target species, classified as: human behavioral changes; nonlethal/noninvasive; nonlethal/invasive; lethal. Socioeconomic, cultural and regulatory impediments to participation in wildlife recreation were investigated in two studies. In one, identity theory from social anthropology formed the theoretical foundation to study deer hunting identity production. In the other, social constraints theory from leisure sciences was applied to learn about impediments to women's participation in
wildlife-related recreation. Organizational behavior theory, environmental paradigm measurement methodology, and coorientation theory of communication were combined to form a framework for inquiry within wildlife interest networks for wildlife policy. The approach reveals benefits of an outlook for classifying stakeholders in policy decision making that focusses less on user activities and traditional management products, and more on stakeholder agreement in attitudes and beliefs.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
State wildl. mgmt. agencies have come under increasing pressure to change the focus and methods of their management. Part of the project (implemented NYS 1994) is determining stakeholders' diverse expectations of wildl. mgmt., information that will aid strategic planning about the future role of state wildl. agencies. This portion of the study has used network analysis to identify the most important factors affecting the relationships between members of the wildlife issues network, including the state agency, stakeholder groups interested in wildl. mgmt., and members of the executive and legislative branches of state government. The study is developing methodology that can be used in subsequent studies of other agencies. Over 40 individuals representing various stakeholder groups and leaders in NYSDEC Div. Fish & Wildl. were interviewed to determine the level of consensus among members of the network in the important factors. Early results show a surprising level of
consensus regarding the expected future role & mission of the agency. Another portion is attempting to understand public's acceptance of wildl. mgmt. actions in urban & suburban areas focusing on potential wildl. control methods to manage deer, beaver, and goose. Over 67 individuals (headquarter & regional off. staff NYSDEC Div. Fish & WIldl. & public stakeholders) have been interviewed in the 1st phase. Info used to develop a questionnaire for surveys to determine factors of accept./reject. of control methods.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SHANKS, R.E. 1994. Defining diverse expectations for wildlife management: projecting the future role of state wildlife agencies. Proc. Ann. Mtg. Organ. Wildl. Planners, June 1994, Pipestem, WV (in-press).
- LOKER, C.A. AND DECKER, D.J. 1994. Public acceptability of wildlife control options in urban/suburgan areas of New York State: Phase I Report. HDRU Misc. Rept., Cornell Univ. 16 pp.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
A case study was completed applying theoretical considerations developed in previous research in this project assessing the potential for communication problems. This analysis provided many insights into the role of communication on influencing voters in a wildlife management controversy. The study of voters in the Dolorado black bear hunting referendum revealed much about how the public integrates human dimensions and wildlife information as they make decisions about issues affecting wildlife management. A report analyzing the post-election survey data has been completed and a full case study and journal article are in preparation. A Master's thesis was completed that applied the concept of social worlds to defining hunting and hunters. this research, in conjunction with previous research completed as part of this project, has led to the development of two additional areas of inquiry: (1) the development of role identity as a hunter, and its effect on the
acceptability of different types of management actions to control deer populations in agricultural regions, and (2) the future role of state wildlife agencies in light of diverse public values regarding wildlife. Research in these areas is being pursued in Ph.D. dissertations which have been funded in part by grants from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Aid Administrative Funds.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- STEDMAN, R. 1993. Expanding the concepts of hunters and hunting: a social world analysis. MS Thesis, Cornell Univ.
- STEDMAN, R. AND DECKER, D.J. 1993. What hunting means to nonhunters, comparing hunter-related experiences, beliefs, and benefits reported by hunters and nonhunters. Hum. Dimen. Res. Unit Ser. 93-10.
- DECKER, D.J., LOKER, C.A., AND BAAS, J.M. 1993. Colorado black bear hunting controversy: amendment #10 post-election voter analysis. Proj. Rept. Colo. St. Div. Wildl. Hum. Dimen. Nat. Resour. Unit Rept. 8, Ft. Collins, CO.
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
An approach for assessing the potential for communication problems between a wildlife agency and its stakeholders was developed and applied. The New Environmental Paradigm was used as a measure of broad environmental attitudes with the Coorientation Model of attitudinal influences on communication in a study of wildlife professionals and local government officials in New York State. Additional communications implications for improving the consideration of wildlife values in local land-use decisions were explored through surveys of local government officials (county and township levels) and citizen advisory councils. The implications for professional credibility and communications effectiveness of blurring distinctions between scientific judgments and personal ethical perspectives was explored for wildlife management in a general way and in the specific context of the highly publicized black bear management controversy in Colorado. Analysis of the black bear
controversy, punctuated by a referendum on the Nov. 1992 ballot, is underway as a case study in cooperation with the Colorado Div. of Wildl. Interviews of key stakeholders have been started, content analysis of documents and articles has been conducted, and a survey of voters in Colorado has been completed. This case study is revealing a great deal about the roles of communication in cntroversial wildlife management policy decisions at the state level.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SHANKS, R.E. 1992. The role of environmental paradigms in communication between NYS Bureau of Wildlife and NYS County Legislators. M.S. Thesis, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 198 pp.
- DECKER, D.J., SHANKS, R.E., NIELSEN, L.A. and PARSONS, G.R. 1991. Ethical and scientific judgements in management: beware of blurred distinctions. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19(4):523-527.
- GIGLIOTTI, L., SHANKS, R., DECKER, D. and KNUTH, B. 1992. Opportunities for meeting wildlife management objectives through local government: an assessment of communication program potential. HDRU Pub. 92-5, Cornell Univ. 86pp.
- GIGLIOTTI, L., SHANKS, R., DECKER, D. and KNUTH, B. 1992. Utility and effectiveness of environmental management councils & conservation advisory councils in local government. HDRU Pub. 92-6, Cornell Univ. 37 pp.
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Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91
Outputs
A study was completed which explored the impediments to communication between New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife staff and county officials. Special emphasis was given to the role that attitudes about the environment of environmental paradigms plays in communication between groups holding different paradigms. Early results indicate that differences in paradigms can affect communication between groups. The results also show that the role of differences in paradigms held may be mitigated by other variables. The effect of environmental paradigm seems to be more pronounced for county officials than for Bureau of Wildlife staff. Early results from this study were presented to the Education Committee of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) at their meeting in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This study provided background information used to assist in the development of a survey of members of the Wildlife
Society and a research proposal to study hunting sulture that will be presented to the Animal Welfare Committee of IAFWA.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- DECKER, D., SHANKS, R., NIELSEN, L., and PARSONS, G. 1991. Ethical and scientific judgements in management: beware of blurred distinctions. Wildlife Society Bulletin 19(4):523-537.
- DECKER, D. and LIPSCOMB, J. 1991. Toward an organizational philosophy about integrating biological and human dimensions in management. Human Dimensions Perspectives. An Occasional Paper Ser., Colo. Div. Wildl. No. 1. Denver. 3 p.
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Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90
Outputs
A survey of professional wildlife biologists in New York found (1) 93% thought effective communication with the public was important to the successful conduct of their job, (2) the most critical communication role was educating the public about wildlife management needs and programs, and (3) wildlife professionals perceive difficulty in communicating with some stakeholders in wildlife management. These and other results combine to provide a broad view of communication problems between wildlife professionals and the public in New York. Results were presented to the Education and Communications Committees of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies at their annual fall meeting. The study also served as the foundation for a study that will be supported by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation-Bureau of Wildlife (BOW) titled "Nonformal education and policy formulation." This study will explore the impediments to communication between the BOW
and local elected officials who deal with land-use issues having implications for wildlife.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SHANKS, R.E. and DECKER, D.J. 1990. Communication and image in the wildlife profession: a New York perspective. Human Dimensions Research Unit Publication 90-5. 22 p.
- SHANKS, R.E. and DECKER, D.J. 1990. Communication and image in the wildlife profession: a New York perspective (a research brief). Human Dimensions in Wildlife Newsletter 9(2):22-23.
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Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89
Outputs
A preliminary project was developed to collect initial data on the ways practicing wildlife professionals view various aspects of communication in wildlife management. The project has three primary data acquisition activities: a mail survey of members of the New York Chapter-The Wildlife Society, nominal group technique with six types of wildlife professionals in New York, and participant observation of discussion at a professional meeting of wildlife biologists. The survey was implemented during October and November 1989 and the data are now being analyzed. The professional meeting program, scheduled for mid-January 1990, was developed by the senior principal investigator and his graduate student to create the environment desired for the participant observation aspect of the inquiry. Breakout groups where the nominal group technique will be used have been scheduled as a formal part of that meeting.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- NO PUBLICATIONS REPORTED THIS PERIOD.
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