(44) Exploring Citizen Involvement in the Restoration of the Florida Everglades

Mark Brennan, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Session: Concurrent session C1:  Assessment Connecting Research and Education

Faced with land use and natural resource management pressures, it is essential that Extension educators, scientists, land managers, decision-makers and others understand the role that local citizens can play in environmental protection and ecosystem restoration activities. Through a mixed methods research framework, this research examined the role and relevance of conceptual areas believed to shape citizen involvement in environmental restoration. Included are personal characteristics, individual attitudes, information sources, levels of social interaction, and resource management options. Using input from key informants and south Florida residents, qualitative data was collected to identify attitudes and opinions toward perceptions on communicating scientific information and opportunities for citizen engagement in Everglades restoration.  Next, quantitative data collected through a mail survey of residents identified factors shaping awareness of Everglades issues, public decision-making processes, and citizen desires to actively participate in restoration efforts. Research results are helping Extension Agents in south Florida develop and deliver relevant Extension Education programs to increase citizen understanding and involvement in Everglades restoration. Such information contributes to a better understanding of the potential for citizen involvement in natural resource management and environmental restoration.

Alyssa Dodd
UF/IFAS Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service
559 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL, 33415
Phone: 561-233-1725
Fax: 561-233-1768
Email: adodd@ifas.ufl.edu