Public Perspective of Forest Ecosystem Services Management
School of Environmental & Forest Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington
Benjamin Hagood
Background
Methods
Conclusion
In the area surrounding the Deschutes National Forest there
After sending out over 3,000 surveys in the mail, we re-
With increasing tension surrounding ecosystem manage-
has been a substantial change in the industry in recent de-
cades. This has led to an ever growing divide between the older,
more conservative population and the newer, younger, liberal
population that has moved into the region. These two groups
have drastically different views on how they believe the public resource, that is The Deschutes National Forest, should be
managed.
ceived just over 800 surveys back. Out of these 800, there
were 174 respondents that wrote in the voluntary comments
section at the back of the survey. Of these 174 comments, 38
were deemed irrelevant due to their content, for example
(‘GO DUCKS!!!’). The data was then coded using Nvivo software. It was then analyzed for patterns and recurring themes
on the publics perspective on the management practices of
ment decisions, it is essential that clear and open communication channels are in place between the managers of these
ecosystems and the public. Including the public in these
management decisions would create challenges of its own,
but would minimize frustrations, lead to more informed decisions, and increase cooperation between these groups.
the ecosystem service that is the Deschutes National Forest.
Purpose
Discussion
For Example
To bring to light the perspectives of the public regarding
i. Wildfires and fire management practices seem to be more
est in central Oregon and to start conversations regarding
tion of decades of what most would now deem mis-manage-
Following are the themes that arose and the corresponding
percentages of the 136 respondents where those themes arose
and an example of each of the themes in quotations:
the management organizations and the general public.
ii. Access is and will be an ongoing issue any where there are
the management practices of the Deschutes National For-
ways in which we can improve the relationships between
highly debated today than ever before. This is a combinament as well as years of droughts in the western United States.
public lands that are being managed for multi-use. There are
ways to mitigate the frustrations between these groups, but being told we can’t have something after enjoying it for a long time
will always be a headache for those managing multi-use areas.
iii. From collection of downed wood for personal firewood and commercial logging to outdoor recreation, this
is a resource that is vital to the community and is in the
midst of a constant struggle between different groups.
Above: map showing National Forest Land in
the state of Oregon
Right: map showing the region around the Deschutes National Forest
Results
There were many themes that came from analyzing this data,
however the five main themes were concern, management,
fires, access and resources. These first two, concern and man-
agement were woven throughout all of the themes, and thus I
was able to focus on the other three and let these dirct my con-
versation and discussion of the overall project. Access, fires
and resources became the main three themes that I focused on.
pollution-11% “the use of the DNF in that locale as a trash dump is dis-heartening.”
fire-49% “Fire suppression has completely changed from when i worked for the forest. We
used to fight fires. Now we study them.”
stewardship-4% “I am always doing things like pulling invasive weeds on hikes, picking up
litter when I see it, clearing fallen things from trails”
resources-52% “Trees are like fruit, they need to be harvested.”
volunteering-18% “I volunteered in many aspects years ago. Now I’m 71 and because of physical reasons, I don’t anymore.”
expenses/funding-12% “ I understand budget constraints, limit road maintenance.”
access-38% “Now I can’t go into the forest that is closed to all motorized vehicles.”
change-26% “the population is growing here and putting increasing pressure by encroachment. I fear for our forests.”
concern-46% “We have serious concerns of the rapid population increase and tourism impact
on the forest and desert areas of central Oregon.”
management-54% “This National Forest (and the others) need to be managed for multiple
uses!!!”
biofuels-<1% “a biomass plant should be located in south Deschutes County, near the railroad tracks to take “woodchips” for energy production”
fracking-<1% “The use of hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and gas should be universally
banned from all protected forests.”
Acknowledgements
First and foremost I
only throughout the
tire time here at UW.
tor Miku Lenentine
would like to thank Stanley Asah for his guidance not
entire capstone process but also throughout my enI would also like to thank my graduate student menfor her support and direction throughout my project
References
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