Poster Abstract Details

Author(s):
Andra Toivola (1), Heidi Kretser (1), Nancy Connelly (2), Jeff Burrell (1)

Affiliation:
1) Wildlife Conservation Society, 2) Cornell University

Presentation Type:
Poster

Topic Area:
Science delivery and exchange of information for natural resource professionals, policymakers, and private citizens

Abstract Text:
Scenic and recreational amenities in the lands near Yellowstone National Park have attracted rapid population growth to the region in the last 50 years. The ensuing expansive rural residential development has impacted lands in the area through low-density development patterns containing parcels of 5- to 40-acres per dwelling that can implicate local biodiversity through habitat fragmentation, wildlife adaptations to living near humans, and increased human-wildlife interactions. This rapid development often also impacts regional wildlife conservation planning as conflicts arise in public perceptions between traditional land owner groups and new migrants in these changing areas. To understand the role of public perceptions toward wildlife and conservation-oriented land management activities in exurban landscapes, we developed a comparative case-study that included a participatory mail survey mapping exercise from which we explore the spatial characteristics of land owner perceptions in three unique Greater Yellowstone landscapes with varying mixtures of traditional agricultural, amenity, and recreational economies. Through the mapping exercise respondents offered spatial recommendations regarding future residential development and wildlife conservation within their local region in four categories: 1) controversial places for development and conservation, 2) appropriate places for new development, 3) areas for restricting future development , and 4) areas of the most important use for wildlife. The survey responses were compiled into summary spatial overlays and point density grids to quantify trends in land-use preferences in the varied landscapes. Comparative spatial analyses were developed within and amongst each region. Preliminary results suggest that there is variance between the spatial concurrences of land-owner preferences of these four aspects of the development amongst the three communities. The assessment and illustration of these variances in land owner preferences promotes effective land use planning efforts that can be built upon a reliable estimation of land use preferences of local stakeholders.