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Overabundance of white-tailed deer is a pervasive problem across the United States. Deer are blamed for increased risk of auto accidents, tick-borne diseases, and overbrowsing of native species. Lethal management techniques, cited as cost-effective and humane, are commonly employed for herd management. However, the approach frequently sparks outrage among various stakeholders who feel killing of animals is unjustified and prefer nonlethal measures. Wildlife managers then face the challenge of communicating with the public to build policy support for lethal management. The Narrative Policy Framework was used to test the effects of differing narratives on public opinion for lethal deer management. Results indicated narratives were influential in shifting attitudes toward and support for a proposed sharpshooting policy even in some cases where respondents were already familiar with the issue and held a previous opinion. This study also supported the utility of the Narrative Policy Framework for examining human dimensions of wildlife issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overpopulation of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an increasingly common challenge for natural resource managers, especially in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Midwest regions of the United States. Despite the pervasiveness of the issue, satisfactory resolution remains elusive for many parks, communities and natural areas. Frequently, social concerns and ecological conditions deteriorate to the point where lethal management techniques are recommended to reduce numbers quickly. However, implementing lethal management strategies to reduce overabundant white-tailed deer populations frequently engenders contentious debate, in part because trust in the managing agency is often low. In such cases, implementation challenges shift from managing deer to affecting and managing public opinion. The purpose of this case study was to examine factors that influence trust in the City of Bloomington (IN) government to properly manage the deer population at a city-owned nature preserve. Results indicated that positive evaluation of the decision-making process and positive evaluation of the science that informed decisions predicted trust in the local city government, while age and preference for hunting predicted distrust. Support for the proposed sharpshooting policy and citizen involvement in the issue, measured by the number of personal and civic actions taken, were not significant predictors of trust in the city. Citizens' source of information on the issue influenced their evaluation of the science. Specifically, when the local newspaper was the primary source of information, respondents were more likely to agree with the conclusions of a scientific study city managers used to illustrate the deer overpopulation. We recommend natural resource managers identify and use trusted communicators to engage with the public on controversial policies. Trust should be considered a prerequisite to implementation of new policies, controversial or otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community orchards are a type of urban agriculture project bringing fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs to neighborhoods across the U.S. While urban agriculture is receiving substantial attention in food studies literature, community orchards are still largely absent from academic conversations. We conducted a qualitative, inductive survey of community orchard organizations in the U.S. to establish a baseline understanding. This survey was addressed to orchard organizers and focused on two questions. First, what is driving the rise of community orcharding projects in the U.S.? Second, how are the organizations affecting local food systems? Organizations were selected to be recipients of our survey, which garnered a 42.64% response rate, if they had an Internet presence and active e-mail account; identification of survey participants was Internet-based, and as a result, little is known about orchards that do not have an Internet presence. Findings showed that community orchards are primarily established on public land, often facilitated by municipal parks and recreation departments, and range in size from pocket orchards of just a few trees to multiple acres of diverse planting. Primary motivations for beginning community orchards include concern for the environment, education, and a sense of community. A preliminary understanding of this impact lies at the nexus of these final two motivations. Community orchard organizers predominately reported fruit and nuts produced in the orchard would feed residents in the geographic area immediately surrounding the site. This arrangement of public fruit and nut production and volunteer orchard management is leading to a novel form of community development that merits further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the United States, farms are consolidating and fewer individuals earn their sole income from agriculture. At the same time, the number of very small farms—many of which engage in direct-to-consumer sales strategies—is on the rise. While much research has explored issues of size and scale for farms transitioning to organic certification, this study aims to elucidate the variables that predict whether farmers sell directly to consumers or through indirect methods such as food hubs, wholesalers, schools, and other institutions. Using a mailed survey to West Virginian farmers, this research attempted to better understand the similarities and differences between farms that produce specialty crops and animal products geared for local distribution via direct- and non-direct-to-consumer method of distribution. The goal of this research was to highlight variables that may affect the scaling of operations to include distribution methods beyond direct-to-consumer. To this end, a postal survey was sent to a list of West Virginia farmers focused on local distribution: specialty crop and animal producers were the focus of our list development. A total of 219 participants responded to the survey (29.2% response rate). After cleaning the dataset for the current analysis, 190 surveys were deemed useable. Regression analysis of survey data found that farmers selling through only direct-to-consumer strategies were more concerned about how their farming practices affected the environment, the production of high quality foods, and health risks associated with chemical usage; they were also more willing to try new methods than their non-direct counterparts. Additionally, higher levels of economic dependence on items such as costs of credit, loan availability, etc. was also a significant variable in predicting distribution type. Finally, our results indicate that farmers who are distributing food through non-direct means are demographically distinct from their local-only counterparts on a number of measures, including, most critically: educational attainment (−), acres farmed (+), and length of family ownership (+). Taken together, these variables point to access to land and capital as determinants of scale and marketing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores current and potential collaboration efforts between land trusts (LTs) and tourism entities in the USA. LTs and tourism entities have convergent needs and goals regarding natural resource protection, possibly making them suitable partners. Sustainable tourism development needs natural resource protection; land trusts have proved economically viable and effective methods for protecting natural areas. While some case studies have described collaboration efforts by selected LTs and tourism entities, this mixed methods exploratory study is based upon survey data from 279 local and regional LTs operating across the USA. The study is grounded in both the Primary Environmental Care (PEC) conceptual model and Jafari's Background Tourism Elements concept, providing clarity on current and potential collaboration efforts between LTs and tourism entities. The survey showed that tourism-related characteristics, especially scenic qualities, were acceptable to land trusts, and that tourism was the most mentioned industry within LT areas. Only 39% of LTs currently work with tourism entities; however, only 4% of LTs report opposition from tourism entities to their conservation work. LT managers were strongly in favor of future collaboration with tourism interests. All five of the key components required for the PEC model were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of conservation easements as a conservation mechanism for private land has increased greatly in the past decade; conservation easements now protect over 15 million ha across the United States from residential and commercial development. We used a mailed survey and in-depth telephone interviews to determine factors that motivate private landowners in Iowa, Illinois,Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin (U.S.A.) to place conservation easements on their properties. The mailed survey asked about characteristics of landowners, their properties, and their opinions on 9 factors related to the decision to place an easement. A followup telephone interview was completed with 19 mail-survey participants to gain an in-depth understanding of the action and to triangulate the results with the questionnaire. Place attachment, which is a measure of personal connection to a location or property, was the greatest motivation for implementation of an easement. Results of a principal components analysis suggested contributing to the public good underlaid several of the strong motivational factors for participation. Financial reasons were the lowest ranked motivational factor; however, financial concerns may facilitate placement of an easement that would otherwise not be realized. We believe that our results may be transferable to places where land protected by easements is not dominated by traditional farming (row crops, pastures, and hay), timber harvesting, or nonextractive uses (e.g., habitat for wild animals, recreation, and protection of ecosystem services). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of primary sources and experiential learning to foster engagement in an inclusive, pluralistic society. The authors cite G. Gay's believe that authentic, interdisciplinary, multidimensional, comprehensive, and integrative education that uses both cognitive and affective skills will help students' understanding of ethnic diversity. They describe the use of fields trips and primary sources as means of employing Gay's recommendations. Their study of a trip to the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri, on which student participated in an interpretive trail program, hands-on science activities, and classroom activities, confirmed their belief that experiential learning has long-term retention benefits.

Highlights the symposium conducted by the Corporate Law Department Committee and the Committee on Continuing Legal Education of Association of the Bar in the City of New York. Panelists of the meeting; Topics discussed in the program; Attendees of the event.

Looks into the practice of union busting in the United States. Groups involved in deunionization; Strategies involved in corporate union-busting campaigns. INSET: DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL PITH.