Indiana residents' perceptions of woodland management

Author

Publication Toolbox

• Download PDF (735 KB)
• This publication is available only online.

• Witter, Daniel J.
• Amberg, Shannon M.
• Case, David J.
• Seng, Phillip T.

Year Published

2013

Publication

In: Swihart, Robert K.; Saunders, Michael R.; Kalb, Rebecca A.; Haulton, G. Scott; Michler, Charles H., eds. 2013. The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: a framework for studying responses to forest management. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-108. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 24-34.

Abstract

A 2009 telephone survey of 1,402 Indiana adults was conducted to assess opinions regarding woodland management. Forty-eight percent said they were "very concerned" about the health and productivity of Indiana's woodlands, and 45 percent, "somewhat concerned." Almost half (47 percent) thought that the state's woodlands are held in about "equal government and private ownership," and 26 percent thought most woodlands are "government" owned (in fact, roughly 85 percent of the state's forest lands are privately owned). When informed that "Indiana's State Forest System makes up about 3 percent of Indiana woodlands," a majority (55 percent) thought that this amount was "not enough," and 39 percent, "about right." Forest practices receiving majority approval were: "removing some trees to protect Indiana woodlands from spread of disease and wildfire" (95 percent), "harvesting Indiana trees for woodland management if overseen by professional foresters" (85 percent), "harvesting Indiana trees to improve places for wildlife to live" (82 percent), "advising Indiana private landowners on how many and what kinds of trees they might harvest and sell" (70 percent), and "harvesting Indiana trees to make lumber or other wood products that we use" (61 percent). Majority agreement was given to the statement, "Indiana woodlands should be managed for a balance of wood products that we use, and other benefits like recreation, wildlife, and good water quality" (88 percent). Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) agreed with the statement, "The amount of forested land in Indiana is shrinking," and respondents identified "urban sprawl" as the highest-ranking threat to Indiana woodlands.

Keywords

• bats
• beetles
• birds
• Central Hardwoods
• experiment
• forest management
• human attitudes
• Indiana
• moths
• oak
• reptiles
• salamanders
• silviculture
• small mammals
• wildlife

Citation

Witter, Daniel J.; Amberg, Shannon M.; Case, David J.; Seng, Phillip T. 2013. Indiana residents' perceptions of woodland management. In: Swihart, Robert K.; Saunders, Michael R.; Kalb, Rebecca A.; Haulton, G. Scott; Michler, Charles H., eds. 2013. The Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment: a framework for studying responses to forest management. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-108. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 24-34.

Last updated on: February 27, 2013

For further details log on website :
https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/42898