Examining Social Trust in Fuels Management Strategies

Authors: Greg Winter¹; Christine A. Vogt²; Sarah McCaffrey³

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 102, Number 6, September 2004 , pp. 8-15(8)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

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Abstract:

Surveys of homeowners in three different ecosystems with varying fuels management approaches reveal that homeowners' trust in natural resource agencies is significantly associated with perceived risks and benefits and with perceived agency competence. A weaker association between forest value orientation and agency trust is evident. Focus group interviews provide further contextual support that the characteristics of competence, care, and credibility associated with an agency are influential in shaping trust. The correlation between trust and acceptance of each fuels management strategy at each of the study sites suggests that trust-building and trust maintenance should be key goals of agency-citizen interactions.

Keywords: public opinion; resource management; social trust; wildland fires; fuels management; public acceptance; fuel treatments; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: Director Cornerstone Strategies, Inc. 1155 North State Street, #614 Bellingham WA 98225, Email: gregw@cstonestrategies.com 2: Assistant Professor Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources Michigan State University East Lansing MI 3: Research Social Scientist North Central Research Station USDA Forest Service Evanston IL

Publication date: 2004-09-01

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