Abstract:
Changes in forest ecosystem conditions in the region have prompted federal
resource agencies to target the health of ecosystems in an effort to learn more about
cause and effect relationships, develop plans for restoring healthy forest conditions,
and communicate with citizens about treatment alternatives and potential outcomes.
Because of the risk and uncertainty citizens associate with the concept of ecosystem
health, part of the planning task also involves identifying the range of public concerns.
This study was specifically designed to assist in an effort to develop a regional public
communication process that actively includes citizens. The research design paired
qualitative and quantitative data from public participants throughout Oregon and
Washington.
Key findings indicate that participants demonstrate a high level of awareness
of forest conditions but also possess a low level of understanding about the causal
components and treatment alternatives. Respondents, especially rural residents, were
worried about the potential threats to ecosystem health and perceived forests east of
the Cascades to have more forest health problems. There was strong support for active
management even though trust levels in management agencies were mixed.
Interactive forms of forest information were generally preferable to unidirectional
formats. Finally, respondents, particularly urban participants, were favorable to
increasing the role of science in resource decisions.
These findings suggest four areas where federal agencies can engage the range
of constituents to build lasting solutions for forest ecosystem health. First, build
literacy among stakeholders. Effective ecosystem health programs will require
agencies to recognize that the public is diverse and needs a common understanding of
forest conditions. Additionally, developing broad-based awareness will involve not
only information dissemination, but also outreach in forest communities and
cooperative local projects. Second, address uncertainty and risk. Ecosystem health
involves considerable uncertainty about how systems function and, as public
participants play a larger role in the decision-making, addressing local conditions in
the process is essential. Third, focus on situational context and site-specific
conditions. Greater public acceptance of programs to treat forest health is likely to
come in familiar settings where people have a genuine stake in the outcomes. Lastly,
concentrate on agency-public interactions along with information provision. The
success of any communication strategy will hinge on the relationship between federal
agencies and citizens. A comprehensive plan will not only focus on the types of
information used, but also on how and why it is communicated.
