Distinguishing ambivalence from indifference: A study of attitudes toward land trusts among members and nonmembers |
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| Institution: | 1. Purdue University, Department of Health and Kinesiology, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;2. Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;1. Technische Universität Berlin (Berlin Institute of Technology), Environmental Assessment and Planning Research Group, Secr. EB 5, Straße des 17, Juni 145, 10623 Berlin, Germany;2. Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Civil Engineering, Av. Acadêmico Hélio Ramos, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Recife-PE, CEP: 50.740-530, Brazil;1. Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany;2. Centre International de Recherche-Développement sur l’Elevage en Zone Subhumide (CIRDES), BP 454 Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso;3. Organic Plant Production and Agroecosystems Research in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel, Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany;4. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 03 BP 2819, Cotonou, Jericho, Benin;1. Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK;2. ASB- Partnerships for the Tropical Forest Margins, World Agroforestry Centre, P.O. Box 30677-00100, Nairobi, Kenya;1. Laboratoire GEOLAB UMR 6042 CNRS, Université de Limoges, FLSH. 39E rue Camille Guérin, 87036 Limoges, France;2. CIRAD, UMR CBGP, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France;3. UMR6554 LETG-Rennes-COSTEL, IFR90CAREN/OSUR, Université Rennes 2, Place du Recteur Henri Le Moal, 35043 Rennes Cedex, France;1. School of Agriculture Policy and Development, Agriculture Building, University of Reading, RG6 6AR, Reading, United Kingdom;2. Alexander Educational Technological Institute of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 141, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece |
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| Abstract: | Private, not-for-profit land trusts have become major players in U.S. conservation efforts in the last 50 years. During this period membership in land trust organizations has grown. Despite the expansion of land trusts and land trust membership, little is known about public attitudes and beliefs about these organizations. To address this gap, we fielded a mail survey to members of a regional land trust in Indiana and a sample of nonmembers that reside in the areas served by that organization. In addition to examining differences in land trust members and nonmembers in terms of their demographic characteristics, recreation habits, awareness and use of land trust properties; we examined land trust beliefs and attitudes. Drawing from recent developments in attitude theory, the study employed a two-dimensional/bivariate model that allowed us to assess attitudes and distinguish between two forms of neutral attitudes toward land trusts – ambivalence (equal positive and negative feelings) and indifference (lack of any feelings). The study results indicated that, on average, land trust members were slightly older, better educated, and had lived in the area for shorter period of time than nonmembers. Members were also more likely to engage in non-consumptive outdoor activities like hiking and bird watching, while nonmembers were more likely to fish and hunt. Members also tended to have more positive attitudes toward land trusts and were more likely to express positive associations with land trusts. Nonmember attitudes demonstrated greater variability; specifically compared to members, nonmembers were more like to hold indifferent, ambivalent, or negative attitudes toward land trusts. Additional analysis comparing these three non-member groups provided insight into differences in their behaviors, knowledge, and underlying beliefs. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for organizational policy and outreach efforts. |
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| Keywords: | Land trusts Attitudes Land use planning Conservation easements Non-profit membership Private land conservation |
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