Current Projects
Wildlife Resources Management and Policy
The Social Framework for Community-based Deer Management
Funded by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Past research has shown how certain characteristics of urban and suburban communities can influence their ability
to manage deer successfully. Local leadership, relationships, partnerships, knowledge, a sense of common purpose,
and other community characteristics (the “social framework” of the community) may facilitate deer management in some
communities and inhibit it in others. Research also recognizes that the characteristics of the social framework that
are most important may change as the community progresses through different stages of deer management. Through this
study, we are following the evolution of deer management issues in three New York State communities, documenting how
the “social framework” in each community influences deer management, and how that influence changes throughout the
management process. We are devoting special attention to the roles that relationships and partnerships play in helping
to formulate and disseminate ideas, share knowledge, and influence others' opinions.
Assessing and Mitigating Deer Impacts at a Landscape Scale with an Integrated Research and Extension Education Program
This project will evaluate whether it is possible to manage deer abundance and associated impacts by working with landowners to assess and enhance access for deer hunting. If sufficient numbers of properties are closed to hunting, or experience in adequate doe harvests, there may be sufficient refugia available so that deer hunting may not have measurable effects on negative deer impacts. Hunting is currently the only tool available for managing deer abundance at a landscape scale. In-depth surveys will be conducted by HDRU in 2007 in two townships representing different landscape types, one primarily forested and the other with a greater agricultural component. The information from the surveys will provide the basis for designing extension education programs aimed at helping landowners, hunters, and wildlife and forestry professionals work together to reduce deer impacts.
Landscape Ecology of White-tailed Deer in Agro-forest Ecosystems
Funded by: Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Sta.., N.Y.S. Dept. Environ. Cons.
HDRU staff and collaborating researchers in several
midwestern states are examining how ecological and
social dimensions affect human-deer-vegetation interactions
in agro-forested landscapes. A basic premise is that
deer population density and demographic rates, effects on
forests and crops, and stakeholder acceptance of deer and
their various effects will vary across a continuum of landscapes.
The goal of this collaborative effort is to improve
the capabilities of state wildlife management agencies,
local governments, and other stakeholders to make decisions
about deer management by integrating data from
multiple stakeholders into a single measure of wildlife
stakeholder acceptance capacity, or WSAC. The basis of
measuring WSAC is the notion that the capacity of any
stakeholder group to accept a wildlife species occurring
in their area depends largely on some combination of
positive and negative impacts associated with that species,
and that management interventions are needed to
acceptably balance those impacts. A paper related to adaptive wildlife
related impacts has been accepted by Wildlife Society Bulletin.
Addressing the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management Issues in National Parks: Deer Management in Eastern Parks
Funded by: National Park Service (NPS)
Project Website:
http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/deerpeopleparks
This is an ongoing project to study human dimensions
of white-tailed deer in park units of the northeastern
U.S. Deer management will be used as a model to examine
the ways in which human values and attitudes can
affect wildlife management planning in National Park
Service units.
Publication:
Leong, K.M., and D.J. Decker. 2005. White-tailed deer
issues in NPS units: insights from natural resource
managers in the northeastern U.S. HDRU Publ. 05-5.
Dept. Natural Resources, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 27pp.
http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/PUBS/HDRUReport05-5.pdf.
Input for a Statewide Black Bear Management Plan
Funded by: N.Y S. Dept. Environ. Conserv.
In 2002, New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation staff collaborated with HDRU staff
to design a black bear management planning framework.
The planning framework adopts an adaptive impacts
management (AIM) approach for bear management. This
research project was established to address ongoing information
needs associated with an AIM approach.
Publication:
Siemer, W.F. and P. Otto. 2005. A group model building
intervention designed to inform wildlife management
decisions. In J.D. Sterman, N.P. Repenning, R.
S. Langer, J.I. Rowe, and J.M. Yanni, eds. Proceedings
23rd International Conference of the System
Dynamics Society. System Dynamics Society: Albany,NY.
http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/PUBS/SiemerOtto.pdf.
Reducing Human-Bear Conflict: The Potential of Bear-related Human Behavior Modification
Funded by: N.Y.S. Dept. Environ. Cons., Cornell Univ., Agric. Exp. Sta., Keickhefer Adirondack Fellowship
Collaborators: Paul Curtis, Cliff W. Scherer, James Shanahan
The frequency and magnitude of human-black bear
conflict has increased in New York State in recent years.
Modifying human behavior related to food/garbage disposal
has been identified as a means to reduce humanbear
conflict, particularly associated with residential areas
and campgrounds.
This project is focused on (1):
articulating how educational and communication programs intended to reduce human-bear conflicts may be
designed to meet certain management objectives;
And (2): evaluating the effectiveness of a communication/
education program through a comparison of two
experimental and two control communities.
Fisheries Resources Management and Policy
New York Statewide Angler Survey
Funded by: N.Y.S. Dept. Environ. Cons.
In order to manage New York’s fisheries in ways that
maximize human benefits, comprehensive information is
needed periodically on the fishing patterns, preferences,
and attitudes of anglers as well as the economic benefits
of New York’s fisheries. New York has not conducted a
study to gather this type of information since the last
statewide angler survey in 1996. Dissimilar to previous
surveys, which were conducted using a single annual
mailing, the 2007 survey will be implemented at three
different times during the calendar year. Using a three
wave approach we hope to reduce the amount of recall bias
associated with angler trip recollection. Questionnaires
will be sent to 17,000 licensed anglers in June, October
of 2007 and January of 2008. Follow-up telephone calls
also will be used to assess non-response bias.
Great Lakes Sportfishing Participation and Economic Impacts: Synthesis and Outlook
Funded by: New York Sea Grant Institute
Stakeholders, and to some extent fisheries professionals,
react to changes in fishing participation with limited
understanding of the interactions of underlying causes
and without placing these changes in a broader societal
context of both time and place. Expecting either group
to do more is probably unrealistic until better information
exists to help them interrelate multiple forces, both
biological and societal, with changes in fishing participation.
This study will synthesize previous research and use
modeling of historical data to explain the relative
contribution of various biological and socioeconomic
factors to changes in fishing participation on Lake Ontario.
We will use the models to try to predict participation in
the next 3 to 5 years, and estimate the economic impact
associated with any major changes in the fisheries.
Understanding Participation, Attitudes, and Values Associated with Fisheries Management
Many stakeholders with diverse interests are affected
by fisheries management decisions and activities.
Understanding the attitudes and values of these
stakeholders toward management lays a base for predicting
not only the acceptability of various management
strategies, but also the likely impacts that will be
produced through management programs. This information
is useful to fisheries agencies, and also to communities
and marine trades groups who wish to better
market the fisheries resources of their localities and
regions.
In 2005, HDRU research focused on fisheries professionals
rather than on anglers, as we conducted both
a membership and career development study for the
American Fisheries Society (AFS). In 2006 we will be
meeting with NYSDEC Bureau of Fisheries staff to
plan New York's next statewide angler survey.
Publication:
Brown, T. L. and S. J. Cooke. 2005. AFS membership
study. HDRU Publ. 05-4. Dept. Natural
Resources, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 27 pp.
(
http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/PUBS/HDRUReport05-4.pdf).
Risk Perception and Communication in Fisheries Management
Since the 1970s, chemical contamination of sport fisheries has created a management challenge beyond the usual biological and physical dimensions. Many fishery management and public health agencies have addressed the problem by issuing fish consumption health advisories. These advisories are designed to reduce human health risks by recommending fish consumption rates that minimize such risks. The advisories are intended to encourage individuals to make informed decisions about their exposure to chemical contaminants in sportfish while simultaneously offering recreational fishing opportunities for anglers. The use of advisories rather than regulations to influence behavior presumes, however, that anglers (and other potential fish consumers) are aware of the advice and of the consequences of their decision to comply with or disregard the advisory. Several HDRU studies have assessed the impacts of health advisories and evaluated the use of various communication strategies for advisories, thereby improving our understanding of the link between advisory awareness, attitudes, and behavior. Recently, this focus has been expanded to include issues of risk associated with contaminants in fish in the commercial fish supply.
Forest Lands Management
The HDRU has had several opportunities in recent years for research in human dimensions components of forest management. In 1999–2001, we evaluated the impacts of several programs designed to assist Northern New York landowners following the severe ice storm of 1998. During 2003-2005, we worked with DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests to assess use and visitor satisfaction with hiking experiences in the Adirondacks. Two additional projects funded through the Northeastern States Research Cooperative are providing opportunities to examine community collaboration in forest management and public awareness of and atitudes toward a range of forest management practices that enhance ecosystem management.
Linking Underserved Forest Owners to Assistancefor Enhanced Environmental Sustainability
Funded by: Cornell Univ. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cornell Cooperative Extension
Collaborator: Peter Smallidge
Society depends on family forest owners to manage
their private forest lands to provide public benefits
ranging from clean water and wildlife habitat to forest
commodities and green space. Forestry extension has
significantly impacted the awareness and ability among
family forest owners to manage their forest lands in a
sustainable manner. However, forest owners who deliberately
seek educational assistance represent only
an estimated 5% of family forest acres and 1% of the
owners. A larger percentage receives some type of
timber harvesting advice. The purpose of this study is
to better understand the motivations, educational
needs, and management activities of the remaining
forest owners. We plan to gather this information
through both qualitative and quantitative methods. The
results of the research will be used to help Extension
educators develop new strategies and materials to
reach these under-served forest owners.
Invasive species public awareness survey
Funded by: Watershed Agricultural Council
We are working with the Watershed Agricultural Council
to conduct a study of landowners, local officials, and
tree/forestry professionals in the Catskill and Lower
Hudson Region of New York State to learn more about
the presence of invasive plants and insects in this area.
We would like to better understand these audiences’
awareness and concerns about these plants and insects
and what educational materials will help them to learn
more about invasive species. A mail survey was sent
to these three audiences in the spring of 2007.
Follow-up telephone calls also will be used to
assess non-response bias.
Assessing Public Attitudes toward Ecosystem Management in the Northern Forest
Funded by: NE States Research Coop NSRC), Ruffed Grouse Society
Collaborator: Paul Karczmarczyk, Ruffed Grouse Society
The purpose of this study is to determine public
attitudes about ecosystem management, particularly
elements needed to sustain early successional habitats,
in the Northern Forest. Local and state officials and
conservation organizations need this information to
inform decisions about how to sustain those aspects of
the Northern Forest and how to involve residents in the
management process.
Natural Resources Communication and Education
Communication and education (C&E) programs and courses are fundamental to natural resource management. State and federal agencies, universities, state cooperative extension services, and nongovernment organizations conduct a wide variety of programs and courses. C&E programs perform an important role in bringing informed public involvement to decision making and influencing public perception of and behavior toward natural resources and their management. The traditional focus of C&E efforts has been to raise informational levels of the public. The HDRU fulfills this role both through its teaching and through a variety of Extension and outreach programs. It is also frequently imvolved in conducting program evaluations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Professional Societies
Funded by: The Wildlife Society
The Wildlife Society (TWS), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) developed a partnership in part to explore how the involvement of USFWS and USGS
biologists in scientific and professional societies could contribute to the scientific capabilities
of federal biologists. In a contribution towards that effort, we are in the midst of a study to determine
whether and how USFWS and USGS biologists are involved in TWS the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and
other scientific and professional societies and to identify the factors that influence their involvement.
Practitioners’ Guide to Black Bear Management Issue Education
Funded by: Northeast Wildlife Damage Management
Research and Outreach Cooperative, Cornell University
Agricultural Experiment Station
This project capitalizes on work accomplished
through an ongoing, joint project by HDRU and DEC.
In 2005, that collaboration led to development of a
computer-based bear management simulation tool.
The simulation serves as a vehicle for discussion about
management policy options such as hunting, problem
prevention education, and direct agency staff response
for homeowners experiencing bear-related problems.
In 2006, HDRU staff will work with a business
management consultant to convert the bear management
simulation into a self-contained format suitable
for distribution on CD-ROM. The simulation will be
embedded in a user-friendly, menu-driven interface
operable by people with basic computing skills. We
will include the simulation as part of an issue education
guide designed for use by wildlife management agency
staff in the northeastern U.S. The simulation and printed
education guide will serve as the centerpiece of
small group discussions organized by wildlife agency
staff or cooperative extension educators. Use of the
deliverables from our project will create opportunities
for learning and dialogue about black bear management
issues. Learning and dialogue could reduce conflict
about management decisions, increase durability
of decisions, and contribute to more effective and efficient
black bear management. Completion of the guide
is expected by September 2006.
Teaching: The Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management Course
HDRU staff member Jody Enck continued to teach
an undergraduate course in the Human Dimensions of
Natural Resources Management (NTRES 432). The
course is focused heavily on the application of human
dimensions information to real-world management
decisions. In 2005, 22 students examined a variety of
natural resource issues including: collapse of marine
fisheries in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, fish and
wildlife restoration, endangered species management,
and management of overabundant species. In addition,
the students were immersed in case studies of on-going
management issues affecting the nearby Finger Lakes
National Forest. Topics included: resolution of conflicts
between management advocates and preservation
advocates with respect to revising the Forest Plan, and
the influence of forest planning actions on the participation
dynamics of 2 important groups of Forest users—
birders and hunters.
Other Presentations on Natural Resources Communication and Education:
Knuth, B.A. 2005. Environmental Challenges … Interdisciplinary
Solutions. Western College Kumler
Chapel Talk Series, Miami University, Oxford,
OH. June.
Water Resources Management and Policy
In recent years HDRU research in water resources management has grown substantially. Recent projects include a 4-year study of the effects of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River water levels on recreational boating and boating-related tourism, a study of the economic impacts of recreatinal boating statewide in New York, economic impacts of zebra mussels in New York, and the needs of boaters and commercial fishermen for harbors in Alaska.
Natural Resources Planning
Natural resources planning involves public input particularly at the beginning of the planning cycle, and at the end, through assessment or evaluation, as input to plan revision. The HDRU has undertaken research and done outreach in a number of situations involving planning. In 2005, we had the opportunity to work with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Northern New York in their efforts to develop a natural resources plan for tribal lands.
