Perceptions of protection : coastal resident cognitions concerning new marine reserves in Oregon

approved: _____________________________________________________________________ Mark D. Needham Protected area creation, including creation of marine reserves (MRs), is increasingly molded by ecosystem based management (EBM) that integrates biological and social information in the pre and post establishment phases. Collecting social data from large and representative samples of the public (as opposed to other stakeholder groups) before establishing a MR would provide information about residents proximal and more distant to the reserve. These data are currently lacking for Oregon’s system of five newly established MRs. This thesis examines coastal resident knowledge, intentions, attachment, and attitudes toward these reserves, and their perceived similarity and social trust in agencies responsible for managing these areas. This information may inform management of Oregon’s MRs, help create a scientifically grounded description of resident perceptions of MRs in this state, and fill an important component of the EBM approach. Policy creation and public engagement based on this information will yield more inclusive protected area creation and management strategies, increasing the probability of conserving resources in a socially acceptable manner. This thesis, therefore, contains two standalone articles based on a mail survey of Oregon coastal residents (n = 595) that sought to understand their knowledge, trust, attitudes, and intentions associated with MRs in this state, and how these cognitions vary depending on geographic proximity and level of attachment to these areas. The first article examined the influence of coastal resident proximity and place attachment on their self-assessed and factual knowledge associated with these MRs. Residents tended to report higher self-assessed knowledge than factual knowledge, which was low with 65% answering half or fewer of the 16 factual questions correctly. Self-assessed and factual knowledge did not differ between communities proximate to and more distant from these MRs. Factual knowledge also did not differ substantively based on attachment to the reserves, but attachment did influence some aspects of selfassessed knowledge about the MRs where those with higher attachment to these areas felt that they had slightly higher self-assessed knowledge. The second article examined relationships among resident knowledge about the MRs, their perceived similarity and trust in the agency currently responsible for these areas, and their attitudes and behavioral intentions associated with the areas. Residents expressed relatively high similarity and trust in the agency, with those living closest to the MRs expressing the highest similarity and trust. The majority of residents had favorable attitudes toward possible benefits of these MRs and would vote in support of these reserves (69%). Residents living in communities of place nearest these reserves had the most positive attitudes and would be the most likely to vote in support of these areas (82%). Path modeling showed that residents who perceived themselves to share similar goals and opinions as the agency were most likely to trust this agency. Those with higher trust in this agency also had more favorable attitudes toward possible benefits of the MRs, and had less agreement with potential constraints of these areas. Residents who expressed more favorable attitudes toward potential benefits of the MRs would be most likely to vote in support of these areas, whereas those who agreed with potential constraints would be less likely to vote in support. Management and research implications of results presented in both of these articles are discussed. ©Copyright by Elizabeth E. Perry June 3, 2013 All Rights Reserved Perceptions of Protection: Coastal Resident Cognitions Concerning New Marine Reserves in Oregon by Elizabeth E. Perry A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented June 3, 2013 Commencement June 2013 Master of Science thesis of Elizabeth E. Perry presented on June 3, 2013. APPROVED: _____________________________________________________________________ Major Professor, representing Forest Ecosystems and Society _____________________________________________________________________ Head of the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society _____________________________________________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. _____________________________________________________________________ Elizabeth E. Perry, Author