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• 11. [Article] Collaborative Conservation Strategies: Legislative Case Studies from Across the West

  Executive Summary: As the 2005-06 Chair of the Western Governors' Association, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano placed special emphasis on issues surrounding sustainable development. As part of that initiative, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Collaborative Conservation Strategies: Legislative Case Studies from Across the West Author: Western Governors' Association Executive Summary: As the 2005-06 Chair of the Western Governors' Association, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano placed special emphasis on issues surrounding sustainable development. As part of that initiative, she directed WGA staff to develop a white paper on the use of negotiated compromise federal legislation as a tool both to protect unique and sensitive lands in the West and to address growth and economic development issues faced by local communities. Western states contain the vast majority of publicly owned lands. Management of these lands impact the social and economic fabric of adjacent rural Western communities. As much of the West continues experiencing unprecedented population growth, the traditional tension between growth and preservation has escalated for these lands and the communities. This white paper traces the history of land conservation in the West and the seeds of collaborative approaches reaching back to federal statutes enacted in the 1960s. The case studies show how traditional adversaries in three Western communities were able to avoid impasse and come together to hammer out difficult compromises to accommodate most interests. Success has not been fully realized in all cases, but the difficult work continues. There are those on both sides who believe compromising with “the enemy” on conservation and development is tantamount to surrender. However, as the West keeps growing, the pressure will mount to negotiate solutions on the conservation and development of land and water supplies for traditional and new uses. Negotiated, omnibus legislation for public lands is one of the new tools that can help. This approach requires undaunted leadership, (a strong motivating factor to get parties to the table), a level playing field during the collaborative process, and an outcome that has enough support to weather the federal legislative process. Western Governors are uniquely poised to identify opportunities in their respective states, help initiate a truly collaborative process, and stand with their Congressional counterparts if a bill moves through Congress. It is a leadership role that they have played in other arenas and would likely be welcomed by communities and advocates alike. Title: Collaborative Conservation Strategies: Legislative Case Studies from Across the West Author: Western Governors' Association Executive Summary: As the 2005-06 Chair of the Western Governors' Association, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano placed special emphasis on issues surrounding sustainable development. As part of that initiative, she directed WGA staff to develop a white paper on the use of negotiated compromise federal legislation as a tool both to protect unique and sensitive lands in the West and to address growth and economic development issues faced by local communities. Western states contain the vast majority of publicly owned lands. Management of these lands impact the social and economic fabric of adjacent rural Western communities. As much of the West continues experiencing unprecedented population growth, the traditional tension between growth and preservation has escalated for these lands and the communities. This white paper traces the history of land conservation in the West and the seeds of collaborative approaches reaching back to federal statutes enacted in the 1960s. The case studies show how traditional adversaries in three Western communities were able to avoid impasse and come together to hammer out difficult compromises to accommodate most interests. Success has not been fully realized in all cases, but the difficult work continues. There are those on both sides who believe compromising with “the enemy” on conservation and development is tantamount to surrender. However, as the West keeps growing, the pressure will mount to negotiate solutions on the conservation and development of land and water supplies for traditional and new uses. Negotiated, omnibus legislation for public lands is one of the new tools that can help. This approach requires undaunted leadership, (a strong motivating factor to get parties to the table), a level playing field during the collaborative process, and an outcome that has enough support to weather the federal legislative process. Western Governors are uniquely poised to identify opportunities in their respective states, help initiate a truly collaborative process, and stand with their Congressional counterparts if a bill moves through Congress. It is a leadership role that they have played in other arenas and would likely be welcomed by communities and advocates alike. Close

• 12. [Article] Application of Bioeconomic Analyses for Marine Conservation Policy

  The Gulf of California is undoubtedly the Mexican marine region with the most research and conservation efforts. In addition to overfishing issues, it harbors endemic and Critically Endangered populations ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Application of Bioeconomic Analyses for Marine Conservation Policy Author: Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés The Gulf of California is undoubtedly the Mexican marine region with the most research and conservation efforts. In addition to overfishing issues, it harbors endemic and Critically Endangered populations of totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) and vaquita (Phocoena sinus). Conservation strategies have varied, but there is a wide recognition of their historic failure to effectively curtail negative human impacts on local ecosystems. A main reason has been a lack of explicit consideration of the economic dynamics and behavior of artisanal fishers. We develop a bioeconomic model that represents a series of past conservation and fisheries management policies, analyzing their empirical results from a simple economic theoretical framework. Results show how counteracting policies, and basic changes to fishing behavior, negate potential benefits to various objectives. Even with wide ecological knowledge and possibly legitimate commitment to sustainable actions from key stakeholders, integrating bioeconomic analyses is essential to understand the outcomes of past policies and generate more effective ones in the future.  Title: Application of Bioeconomic Analyses for Marine Conservation Policy Author: Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés The Gulf of California is undoubtedly the Mexican marine region with the most research and conservation efforts. In addition to overfishing issues, it harbors endemic and Critically Endangered populations of totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) and vaquita (Phocoena sinus). Conservation strategies have varied, but there is a wide recognition of their historic failure to effectively curtail negative human impacts on local ecosystems. A main reason has been a lack of explicit consideration of the economic dynamics and behavior of artisanal fishers. We develop a bioeconomic model that represents a series of past conservation and fisheries management policies, analyzing their empirical results from a simple economic theoretical framework. Results show how counteracting policies, and basic changes to fishing behavior, negate potential benefits to various objectives. Even with wide ecological knowledge and possibly legitimate commitment to sustainable actions from key stakeholders, integrating bioeconomic analyses is essential to understand the outcomes of past policies and generate more effective ones in the future.  Close

• 13. [Article] Managing the spatial configuration of land : the economics of land use and habitat fragmentation

  Habitat fragmentation has been widely studied in the biological literature and is considered a primary threat to biodiversity. However, there has been little research on land-use policies to reduce fragmentation. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Managing the spatial configuration of land : the economics of land use and habitat fragmentation Author: Lewis, David James Habitat fragmentation has been widely studied in the biological literature and is considered a primary threat to biodiversity. However, there has been little research on land-use policies to reduce fragmentation. This dissertation focuses on two major research issues related to fragmentation policies. First, I develop an analytical model to analyze the optimal conservation strategy on a landscape with habitat fragmentation effects. Second, I develop an empirical methodology to quantify the economic costs of reducing fragmentation through the use of incentive-based land-use policies. A theoretical model of land use is developed to analyze the spatial configuration of landscapes when land quality is spatially heterogeneous and wildlife habitat is fragmented and socially valuable. When urban development is the primary cause of fragmentation, I show how spatial heterogeneity in amenities and household neighbor preferences affect the optimal landscape and the design of efficient land-use policies. When agriculture is the primary cause of fragmentation, I derive optimal conservation strategies for reducing fragmentation. I show that reforestation efforts should be targeted to the most fragmented landscapes with an aggregate share of forest equal to a threshold, defined by the ratio of the opportunity cost of conversion to the social value of core forest. A parcel-level econometric model of land-use change is developed and integrated with spatially-explicit landscape simulations to predict the empirical distribution of fragmentation outcomes under given market conditions and policy scenarios. I examine the effects of alternative policy designs on various measures of fragmentation and then quantify the costs of achieving spatial outcomes. I find that the costs of reducing forest fragmentation vary greatly with initial landscape conditions and that a simple uniform subsidy appears to perform well relative to more complicated spatially-targeted policies. In addition, my results suggest that initial landscape conditions, rather than the policy approach, should be the foremost consideration for wildlife managers deciding how to allocate a limited budget to conservation efforts. Title: Managing the spatial configuration of land : the economics of land use and habitat fragmentation Author: Lewis, David James Habitat fragmentation has been widely studied in the biological literature and is considered a primary threat to biodiversity. However, there has been little research on land-use policies to reduce fragmentation. This dissertation focuses on two major research issues related to fragmentation policies. First, I develop an analytical model to analyze the optimal conservation strategy on a landscape with habitat fragmentation effects. Second, I develop an empirical methodology to quantify the economic costs of reducing fragmentation through the use of incentive-based land-use policies. A theoretical model of land use is developed to analyze the spatial configuration of landscapes when land quality is spatially heterogeneous and wildlife habitat is fragmented and socially valuable. When urban development is the primary cause of fragmentation, I show how spatial heterogeneity in amenities and household neighbor preferences affect the optimal landscape and the design of efficient land-use policies. When agriculture is the primary cause of fragmentation, I derive optimal conservation strategies for reducing fragmentation. I show that reforestation efforts should be targeted to the most fragmented landscapes with an aggregate share of forest equal to a threshold, defined by the ratio of the opportunity cost of conversion to the social value of core forest. A parcel-level econometric model of land-use change is developed and integrated with spatially-explicit landscape simulations to predict the empirical distribution of fragmentation outcomes under given market conditions and policy scenarios. I examine the effects of alternative policy designs on various measures of fragmentation and then quantify the costs of achieving spatial outcomes. I find that the costs of reducing forest fragmentation vary greatly with initial landscape conditions and that a simple uniform subsidy appears to perform well relative to more complicated spatially-targeted policies. In addition, my results suggest that initial landscape conditions, rather than the policy approach, should be the foremost consideration for wildlife managers deciding how to allocate a limited budget to conservation efforts. Close

• 14. [Article] Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds

  Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds Author: Pickard, Brian R. Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed buffers on streams for federal and private lands based on stream type or size. These buffers can create a series of disjointed riparian protections, as federal lands require buffers that are much larger than private lands. In addition, the fixed buffer approach is neither flexible nor tailored to aquatic ecosystem values. This thesis presents a framework for comprehensively assessing stream networks using site specific watershed features and then suggests riparian conservation strategies that key stream and riparian protection to aquatic ecosystem values. Seven study watersheds were used in this analysis, totaling over 2.5 million acres of forested lands in western Oregon. Employing a set of geospatial tools, called NetMap, streams in each watershed were classified into higher and lower priorities using criteria of intrinsic potential, erosion/debris flow susceptibility, and thermal loading potential. Results demonstrated the inherent variability within and among watersheds based on the geomorphic and ecological processes determined important for selected salmon species. Within each watershed, both federal and non-federal lands had many miles of higher priority fish-bearing and non-fish bearing streams, suggesting the need for comprehensive, holistic watershed conservation strategies. Based on the partitioning of streams into higher and lower priorities, an alternative riparian conservation strategy was then modeled for federal lands that allocate protection on the basis of the ecological context of a stream segment’s potential and particular location while still meeting federal aquatic conservation goals and objectives. Possible increases to the land base for long-term timber production were then identified if this strategy were applied to federal Matrix lands. Results demonstrated that 8-30 percent of the current riparian buffers could be reallocated to the land base for long-term timber production. An additional 26-45 percent of current buffers could be managed simultaneously for both timber production and aquatic ecosystem goals. Results also provided a framework for targeting of conservation and restoration efforts towards higher priority streams within each watershed. As many of the most ecologically important streams were located on non-federal lands, riparian conservation policies focused on streams classified as higher priority on those lands may be needed to protect aquatic species and their environments. Title: Keying forest stream protection to aquatic ecosystem values in multi-ownership watersheds Author: Pickard, Brian R. Forested lands of western Oregon provide aquatic habitat for many fish and riparian dependent species, including a wide variety of salmon species. Current policies set riparian protections using fixed buffers on streams for federal and private lands based on stream type or size. These buffers can create a series of disjointed riparian protections, as federal lands require buffers that are much larger than private lands. In addition, the fixed buffer approach is neither flexible nor tailored to aquatic ecosystem values. This thesis presents a framework for comprehensively assessing stream networks using site specific watershed features and then suggests riparian conservation strategies that key stream and riparian protection to aquatic ecosystem values. Seven study watersheds were used in this analysis, totaling over 2.5 million acres of forested lands in western Oregon. Employing a set of geospatial tools, called NetMap, streams in each watershed were classified into higher and lower priorities using criteria of intrinsic potential, erosion/debris flow susceptibility, and thermal loading potential. Results demonstrated the inherent variability within and among watersheds based on the geomorphic and ecological processes determined important for selected salmon species. Within each watershed, both federal and non-federal lands had many miles of higher priority fish-bearing and non-fish bearing streams, suggesting the need for comprehensive, holistic watershed conservation strategies. Based on the partitioning of streams into higher and lower priorities, an alternative riparian conservation strategy was then modeled for federal lands that allocate protection on the basis of the ecological context of a stream segment’s potential and particular location while still meeting federal aquatic conservation goals and objectives. Possible increases to the land base for long-term timber production were then identified if this strategy were applied to federal Matrix lands. Results demonstrated that 8-30 percent of the current riparian buffers could be reallocated to the land base for long-term timber production. An additional 26-45 percent of current buffers could be managed simultaneously for both timber production and aquatic ecosystem goals. Results also provided a framework for targeting of conservation and restoration efforts towards higher priority streams within each watershed. As many of the most ecologically important streams were located on non-federal lands, riparian conservation policies focused on streams classified as higher priority on those lands may be needed to protect aquatic species and their environments. Close

• 15. [Article] Policy for Resource Management Plan Effectiveness Monitoring for Renewable Resources with Additional Guidance for Plans Implementing the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy

  This Instruction Memorandum (Instruction Memorandum No. 2016-139) provides guidance on the use of terrestrial and aquatic objectives and quantitative data to determine Resource Management Plan effectiveness. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Policy for Resource Management Plan Effectiveness Monitoring for Renewable Resources with Additional Guidance for Plans Implementing the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy Author: Bureau of Land Management, Ellis, Steven A. , U.S. Forest Service This Instruction Memorandum (Instruction Memorandum No. 2016-139) provides guidance on the use of terrestrial and aquatic objectives and quantitative data to determine Resource Management Plan effectiveness. Additionally, for RMPs that include Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) habitat, this IM provides guidance for tracking and reporting on the implementation of decisions using the e-Planning tracking database. Title: Policy for Resource Management Plan Effectiveness Monitoring for Renewable Resources with Additional Guidance for Plans Implementing the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Strategy Author: Bureau of Land Management, Ellis, Steven A. , U.S. Forest Service This Instruction Memorandum (Instruction Memorandum No. 2016-139) provides guidance on the use of terrestrial and aquatic objectives and quantitative data to determine Resource Management Plan effectiveness. Additionally, for RMPs that include Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) habitat, this IM provides guidance for tracking and reporting on the implementation of decisions using the e-Planning tracking database. Close

• 16. [Article] Basin-wide distributed modeling of hydrologic responses to irrigation management in the Wood River Basin, Klamath County, OR

  The Wood River Basin lies upstream of Upper Klamath Lake, the main reservoir of the USBR Klamath Irrigation Project that provides irrigation water to 210,000 acres of downstream land. Water allocation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Basin-wide distributed modeling of hydrologic responses to irrigation management in the Wood River Basin, Klamath County, OR Author: Owens, Joshua M. The Wood River Basin lies upstream of Upper Klamath Lake, the main reservoir of the USBR Klamath Irrigation Project that provides irrigation water to 210,000 acres of downstream land. Water allocation became a contentious issue in 2001 when drought led to curtailment of irrigation deliveries to the Klamath Irrigation Project in order to maintain minimum lake levels and river flows for endangered species. After lengthy negotiations the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement was signed in February 2010, and calls for flow increases of 30,000 ac-ft/yr into Upper Klamath Lake from voluntary upstream sources. The Wood River Basin is a potential source of this water, but poorly understood hydrology makes estimates of water gains in response to conservation strategies uncertain. To better understand the hydrology of the Wood River Basin a fully distributed, physically based model was set up using the MIKE SHE hydrology model and MIKE 11 hydraulic model by DHI, Inc. The model was developed by recreating the actual management of the basin from 2002 to 2009, a period when tracts of land in the basin were enrolled in land idling programs for water conservation. Calibration and validation was evaluated against shallow groundwater observations. Overall the model described the average conditions of the basin well. Locations that were simulated inaccurately were limited to those in close proximity to the model boundary or to the Wood River, the result of using average values to describe these heterogeneous features. The model was used to simulate two end-member scenarios to determine the limits of water conservation strategies, basin-wide full irrigation and non-irrigation. Two reduced irrigation scenarios were also simulated, the first reduced the irrigation season to June and July, the second eliminated every other irrigation application. The simulation that recreated the actual management showed that non-irrigated tracts did not substantially reduce the consumptive use because water from the surrounding irrigated tracts was able to flow in via the shallow aquifer and provide sub-irrigation. For the full irrigation scenario the average annual consumptive use was 126,000 ac-ft/yr. For the non-irrigated scenario it was 96,000 ac-ft/yr, a reduction of 24%. For the two reduced irrigation scenarios the consumptive use was decreased by 14% and 12%. When compared to the irrigated scenario the total increase of flow to Upper Klamath Lake during the growing season was 60,000 ac-ft/yr for the non-irrigated scenario; and 36,000 ac-ft/yr and 31,000 ac-ft/yr for the two reduced irrigation scenarios respectively. Irrigation in the basin was found to transfer stream flow from the summer time to the winter time due to saturated winter conditions from late season irrigations resulting in increased runoff. There is potential for water conservation strategies in the Wood River Basin to substantially increase water flow into Upper Klamath Lake, but these strategies would have to be implemented extensively throughout the basin to reduce sub-irrigation. Title: Basin-wide distributed modeling of hydrologic responses to irrigation management in the Wood River Basin, Klamath County, OR Author: Owens, Joshua M. The Wood River Basin lies upstream of Upper Klamath Lake, the main reservoir of the USBR Klamath Irrigation Project that provides irrigation water to 210,000 acres of downstream land. Water allocation became a contentious issue in 2001 when drought led to curtailment of irrigation deliveries to the Klamath Irrigation Project in order to maintain minimum lake levels and river flows for endangered species. After lengthy negotiations the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement was signed in February 2010, and calls for flow increases of 30,000 ac-ft/yr into Upper Klamath Lake from voluntary upstream sources. The Wood River Basin is a potential source of this water, but poorly understood hydrology makes estimates of water gains in response to conservation strategies uncertain. To better understand the hydrology of the Wood River Basin a fully distributed, physically based model was set up using the MIKE SHE hydrology model and MIKE 11 hydraulic model by DHI, Inc. The model was developed by recreating the actual management of the basin from 2002 to 2009, a period when tracts of land in the basin were enrolled in land idling programs for water conservation. Calibration and validation was evaluated against shallow groundwater observations. Overall the model described the average conditions of the basin well. Locations that were simulated inaccurately were limited to those in close proximity to the model boundary or to the Wood River, the result of using average values to describe these heterogeneous features. The model was used to simulate two end-member scenarios to determine the limits of water conservation strategies, basin-wide full irrigation and non-irrigation. Two reduced irrigation scenarios were also simulated, the first reduced the irrigation season to June and July, the second eliminated every other irrigation application. The simulation that recreated the actual management showed that non-irrigated tracts did not substantially reduce the consumptive use because water from the surrounding irrigated tracts was able to flow in via the shallow aquifer and provide sub-irrigation. For the full irrigation scenario the average annual consumptive use was 126,000 ac-ft/yr. For the non-irrigated scenario it was 96,000 ac-ft/yr, a reduction of 24%. For the two reduced irrigation scenarios the consumptive use was decreased by 14% and 12%. When compared to the irrigated scenario the total increase of flow to Upper Klamath Lake during the growing season was 60,000 ac-ft/yr for the non-irrigated scenario; and 36,000 ac-ft/yr and 31,000 ac-ft/yr for the two reduced irrigation scenarios respectively. Irrigation in the basin was found to transfer stream flow from the summer time to the winter time due to saturated winter conditions from late season irrigations resulting in increased runoff. There is potential for water conservation strategies in the Wood River Basin to substantially increase water flow into Upper Klamath Lake, but these strategies would have to be implemented extensively throughout the basin to reduce sub-irrigation. Close

• 17. [Article] Marine Protected Areas and Fishers' Involvement: the Case of the Iroise Sea, Western Brittany, France

  Research Paper

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Marine Protected Areas and Fishers' Involvement: the Case of the Iroise Sea, Western Brittany, France Author: Pennanguer, S., Sabourin, A., Alban, Frederique Research Paper Title: Marine Protected Areas and Fishers' Involvement: the Case of the Iroise Sea, Western Brittany, France Author: Pennanguer, S., Sabourin, A., Alban, Frederique Research Paper Close

• 18. [Article] Mitigation of Ecosystem-Level Impacts of Fisheries Bycatch on Marine Megafauna: Conservation Policy, Economic Instruments, and Technical Change

  presentation

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mitigation of Ecosystem-Level Impacts of Fisheries Bycatch on Marine Megafauna: Conservation Policy, Economic Instruments, and Technical Change Author: Squires, Dale, Bull, Joe presentation Title: Mitigation of Ecosystem-Level Impacts of Fisheries Bycatch on Marine Megafauna: Conservation Policy, Economic Instruments, and Technical Change Author: Squires, Dale, Bull, Joe presentation Close

• 19. [Article] Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon

  In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon Author: McMurray, Anna, Kroeger, Timm In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses supported by Yaquina Bay, a 29 square-mile area in coastal central Oregon that has been identified as a conservation opportunity area (COA) in Oregon’s Conservation Strategy. Our analysis develops quantitative estimates of the economic value associated with recreational fishing and commercial crabbing, oyster harvests and livestock production. It also estimates the value of the carbon sequestration service provided by the ecosystems found in Yaquina Bay and the value of the open space premiums that accrue to residential properties located in the vicinity of undeveloped open spaces. Land use, land management and conservation planning, in order to achieve economically sensible results, should take into account the economic value generated by the conservation of undeveloped lands and the fact that the increasing relative scarcity of these lands will only increase conservation values. With a large share of both ecologically and economically valuable undeveloped lands in private ownership, not just in the Yaquina Bay study area but also at state and national levels, existing financial incentive systems that encourage land conservation on private lands will need to be improved and in many cases additional ones will need to be created in order to better align privately and socially desirable outcomes. This is a challenging task whose urgency is increasing in lockstep with the continuing loss and degradation of natural lands. Title: Economic Benefits of Conserving Natural Lands: Case Study: Yaquina Bay Conservation Opportunity Area, Oregon Author: McMurray, Anna, Kroeger, Timm In this study, which forms part of a set of five case studies that cover natural lands in Florida, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oregon, we develop estimates of the economic value of several human uses supported by Yaquina Bay, a 29 square-mile area in coastal central Oregon that has been identified as a conservation opportunity area (COA) in Oregon’s Conservation Strategy. Our analysis develops quantitative estimates of the economic value associated with recreational fishing and commercial crabbing, oyster harvests and livestock production. It also estimates the value of the carbon sequestration service provided by the ecosystems found in Yaquina Bay and the value of the open space premiums that accrue to residential properties located in the vicinity of undeveloped open spaces. Land use, land management and conservation planning, in order to achieve economically sensible results, should take into account the economic value generated by the conservation of undeveloped lands and the fact that the increasing relative scarcity of these lands will only increase conservation values. With a large share of both ecologically and economically valuable undeveloped lands in private ownership, not just in the Yaquina Bay study area but also at state and national levels, existing financial incentive systems that encourage land conservation on private lands will need to be improved and in many cases additional ones will need to be created in order to better align privately and socially desirable outcomes. This is a challenging task whose urgency is increasing in lockstep with the continuing loss and degradation of natural lands. Close

• 20. [Article] Private forests, public policy : oak conservation on family forests in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

  In the United States, many of the thorniest natural resource conflicts occur on private lands. This is especially true in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon where the hallmark habitat type, Oregon ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Private forests, public policy : oak conservation on family forests in Oregon’s Willamette Valley Author: Fischer, Alexandra Paige In the United States, many of the thorniest natural resource conflicts occur on private lands. This is especially true in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon where the hallmark habitat type, Oregon white oak woodland and savanna, is imperiled. Almost exclusively found on private land, Oregon white oak is threatened by urban development, vineyards, tree plantations, and the elimination of the periodic fires to which it is adapted. While regional and local planners, conservationists and natural resource agencies are attempting to conserve oak, little effort has been made to understand the social group in whose hands the fate of much of the resource rests: family forest owners. This paper presents a case study of oak conservation on family forestlands in Oregon. Through individual and group interviews and building upon social constructionism and interpretive policy analysis, this research investigates how two stakeholder groups—family forest owners and natural resource professionals—frame the problem of oak’s decline and opportunities and constraints for its conservation. It also analyzes some of the conservation policies that informants suggested for oak. By illuminating owners’ needs, capacities and constraints, and identifying areas of common ground and conflict in informants’ interpretive frames, this research identifies ways to reach out to a target group with empathy, facilitate cooperation between stakeholders, and avert potential conflicts that arise from conservation strategies. Title: Private forests, public policy : oak conservation on family forests in Oregon’s Willamette Valley Author: Fischer, Alexandra Paige In the United States, many of the thorniest natural resource conflicts occur on private lands. This is especially true in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon where the hallmark habitat type, Oregon white oak woodland and savanna, is imperiled. Almost exclusively found on private land, Oregon white oak is threatened by urban development, vineyards, tree plantations, and the elimination of the periodic fires to which it is adapted. While regional and local planners, conservationists and natural resource agencies are attempting to conserve oak, little effort has been made to understand the social group in whose hands the fate of much of the resource rests: family forest owners. This paper presents a case study of oak conservation on family forestlands in Oregon. Through individual and group interviews and building upon social constructionism and interpretive policy analysis, this research investigates how two stakeholder groups—family forest owners and natural resource professionals—frame the problem of oak’s decline and opportunities and constraints for its conservation. It also analyzes some of the conservation policies that informants suggested for oak. By illuminating owners’ needs, capacities and constraints, and identifying areas of common ground and conflict in informants’ interpretive frames, this research identifies ways to reach out to a target group with empathy, facilitate cooperation between stakeholders, and avert potential conflicts that arise from conservation strategies. Close