Co-orientation of State Wildlife Agency Personnel and Wildlife Management Area Stakeholders Regarding Wildlife Habitat Management Activities in Virginia

Abstract

Natural resource managers frequently make decisions in the public interest, yet research suggests managers often hold values and attitudes that differ from those of their stakeholders. Applying the co-orientation theory of communication, we contrasted beliefs of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries managers (n = 77) with those of recreational users (n = 726) of Virginia's wildlife management areas (WMAs). Although managers and users both expressed support for many of the same land management practices, managers generally expressed stronger support. Managers also more accurately predicted WMA users' beliefs on land management, compared to users' predictions of managers' beliefs. Managers and WMA users held different views about timber harvesting, which suggests it is an area with high potential for controversy and needs improved communication efforts. Frequency-based and statistical co-orientation analysis yielded different, and potentially misleading, results; thus, policy-makers should use caution when interpreting communicative situations and designing subsequent public relations efforts.

Keywords:

• co-orientation
• land management practices
• stakeholders
• state wildlife agency
• wildlife habitat

Acknowledgments

We thank WMA visitors and VDGIF managers for their willingness to participate in this survey effort.

Funding

This research was funded by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), including Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program funds. K. Erwin assisted with data entry and organization.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This research was funded by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), including Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program funds. K. Erwin assisted with data entry and organization.