Factors Influencing Forest Values and Attitudes of Two Stakeholder Groups: The Case of the Foothills Model Forest, Alberta, Canada

Report on forest values and attitudes towards forest management of campers and hunters in the FMF in the context of a cognitive hierarchy model.

Abstract

Canada’s Model Forest Program was established as a means of implementing concepts of sustainable forest management. An initial step to achieving this is understanding stakeholders’ forest values and attitudes. A study was undertaken to examine forest values and attitudes toward forest management of campers and hunters in the Foothills Model Forest of Alberta within the context of a cognitive hierarchy model. Data were collected by mail survey in 1996. Campers and hunters were primarily biocentric in their forest values orientation. These groups supported protection-oriented management strategies, were not in favor of economic development and timber-oriented strategies, and did not believe that current forest management is sustainable. Socioeconomic factors, social influences, and knowledge had little influence on values or attitudes. Forest values were related strongly to attitudes providing support for the cognitive hierarchy model.

Citation

Mcfarlane, Bonita & Boxall, Peter. (2000). Factors Influencing Forest Values and Attitudes of Two Stakeholder Groups: The Case of The Foothills Model Forest, Alberta, Canada. Society and Natural Resources. 13. 10.1080/08941920050121927.