Investigating how relational values influence landowner participation in an endangered species conservation program

Abstract

Research investigating landowner engagement in endangered species conservation (ESC) frequently cites value conflicts between landowners and ESC institutions, such as Voluntary Incentive Programs (VIPs), as driving landowner disinterest in VIPs. Existing ESC policy design mechanisms are incapable of resolving deficient engagement as they incorporate landowner values into decision-making without consideration of the meanings landowners attach to relationships with their land (i.e. Relational Values [RVs]). To identify RVs motivating ESC and points of alignment between landowner values and VIPs, we conducted 24 interviews with landowners about a VIP in East-central Texas. Results revealed that the program aligned with stewardship and management values but interfered with RVs of autonomy and social responsibility. Moreover, VIPs failed to provide incentives to compensate such losses. Bridging the rift between hegemonically designed VIPs and the values motivating ESC requires grassroots efforts to identify and incorporate landowner values into incentive structures that enhance and enable RVs motivating ESC.

Keywords:

• relational values
• endangered species
• human-nature relationships
• incentive program
• landowners

Disclosure statement

Neither the co-author nor I have any relevant financial or non-financial competing interests.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2023.2285728.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department under grant number 517057.