Angela G. Mertig

New Trends in Measuring Environmental Attitudes: Measuring Endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm: A Revised NEP Scale

Dunlap and Van Lieres New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) Scale, published in 1978, has become a widely used measure of proenvironmental orientation. This article develops a revised NEP Scale designed to improve upon the original one in several respects: (1) It taps a wider range of facets of an ecological worldview, (2) It offers a balanced set of pro- and anti-NEP items, and (3) It avoids outmoded terminology. The new scale, termed the New Ecological Paradigm Scale, consists of 15 items. Results of a 1990 Washington State survey suggest that the items can be treated as an internally consistent summated ratingscale and also indicate a modest growth in pro-NEP responses among Washington residents over the 14 years since the original study.

Landowners and cat predation across rural-to-urban landscapes

Fluctuations of bird abundances have been attributed to such factors as supplemental feeding, landscape change, and habitat fragmentation. Notably absent from consideration, however, is the role of private landowners and their actions, such as owning free-ranging domestic cats (Felis catus; cats allowed free access to the outdoors). To understand the impacts of cat predation on birds, we surveyed all 1694 private landowners living on three breeding bird survey (BBS) routes ( 120 km) that represent a continuum of rural-to-urban landscapes in Southeastern Michigan, where the majority (> 90%) of land is privately owned. Our data indicate that among the 58.5% of landowners that responded, one quarter of them owned outdoor cats. On average a cat depredated between 0.7 and 1.4 birds per week. A total of 23+ species (12.5% of breeding species) were on the list of being killed, including two species of conservation concern (Eastern Bluebirds and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds). Across the three landscapes there were 800 to 3100 cats, which kill between 16,000 and 47,000 birds during the breeding season, resulting in a minimum of 1 bird killed/km/day. While the number and density (no./ha) of free-ranging cats per landowner differed across the rural to urban landscapes, depredation rates were similar. Landowner participation in bird feeding showed no relationship with the number of free-ranging cats owned. Similarly, selected demographic characteristics of landowners were not significantly related to the number of free-ranging cats owned. Our results, even taken conservatively, indicate that cat predation most likely plays an important role in fluctuations of bird populations and should receive more attention in wildlife conservation and landscape studies. # 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The evolution of the U.S. environmental movement from 1970 to 1990: An overview

Abstract The twentieth anniversary of Earth Day in 1990 indicated that environmentalism has become an enduring and successful social movement and thus has avoided the rapid demise that many movements experience. However, the U.S. environmental movement has changed considerably since 1970, most notably by becoming a much more diverse movement. The contributions to this volume describe the major strands of environmentalism that have developed over the past two decades and, in the process, provide an overview of the evolution of the movement.

Twenty years of environmental mobilization: Trends among national environmental organizations

Abstract The evolution of national environmental organizations over the past two decades is analyzed, with special attention given to the major organizations that engage in lobbying. The rapid growth experienced by the older organizations and the emergence and subsequent growth of several newer organizations are described. An overview of the activities of these national organizations (including a description of their relationships with one another) is given. Next, the high level of public support for their goals, the unique characteristics of environmental issues, and the efficacy of direct mail recruitment techniques are highlighted as key causes of the organizations’ growth and success. Finally, the organizational consequences of these trends, in the form of staff professionalization and bureaucratization, for the national organizations are examined in some detail.

Bovine tuberculosis in Michigan: stakeholder attitudes and implications for eradication efforts

Abstract Bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been discovered in unprecedented levels in Michigans white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herd. Human practices have facilitated the spread of bovine TB in white-tailed deer, and public cooperation is necessary to reduce the spread of the disease. Social data can determine public support for eradication strategies, as well as identify targets and messages for ongoing communication efforts. We conducted a survey of 5 bovine TB-issue stakeholder groups to assess and compare attitudes toward bovine TB-related topics and support for eradication and eradication policies. We also identified knowledge levels and interest in future bovine TB issue communications and preferences for communication sources. Results indicated that stakeholders supported the bovine TB eradication goal, but were less supportive of specific eradication policies. Stakeholders held different beliefs about threats posed by bovine TB, and about the means through which the disease is transmitted; stakeholder groups also had different levels of bovine TB-related knowledge. A strong majority of respondents (89%) were interested in being informed about new bovine TB issue-related information.

Resident Attitudes toward Black Bears and Population Recovery in East Texas

A successful species recovery relies on the support of local residents. Our goal was to assess attitudes toward black bears in a location where bears have not existed for several decades. We randomly surveyed East Texas residents to evaluate attitudes toward black bears and a potential bear population recovery. Positive attitudes toward bears were related to sex, age, participation in wildlife-related activities, residential tenure, land ownership, and knowledge about bears. However, substantial proportions of respondents indicated uncertainty regarding their attitudes about black bears and more than one-third of residents were unsure as to whether they supported increasing the local bear population. Lack of knowledge about black bears was the most commonly noted reason for uncertainty. These results suggest that opportunities exist for managers to address existing concerns about bears, assist residents with learning more about bears, and possibly help minimize potential for bear–human conflict.

Environmental, Institutional, and Demographic Predictors of Environmental Literacy among Middle School Children

Building environmental literacy (EL) in children and adolescents is critical to meeting current and emerging environmental challenges worldwide. Although environmental education (EE) efforts have begun to address this need, empirical research holistically evaluating drivers of EL is critical. This study begins to fill this gap with an examination of school-wide EE programs among middle schools in North Carolina, including the use of published EE curricula and time outdoors while controlling for teacher education level and experience, student attributes (age, gender, and ethnicity), and school attributes (socio-economic status, student-teacher ratio, and locale). Our sample included an EE group selected from schools with registered school-wide EE programs, and a control group randomly selected from NC middle schools that were not registered as EE schools. Students were given an EL survey at the beginning and end of the spring 2012 semester. Use of published EE curricula, time outdoors, and having teachers with advanced degrees and mid-level teaching experience (between 3 and 5 years) were positively related with EL whereas minority status (Hispanic and black) was negatively related with EL. Results suggest that school-wide EE programs were not associated with improved EL, but the use of published EE curricula paired with time outdoors represents a strategy that may improve all key components of student EL. Further, investments in teacher development and efforts to maintain enthusiasm for EE among teachers with more than 5 years of experience may help to boost student EL levels. Middle school represents a pivotal time for influencing EL, as improvement was slower among older students. Differences in EL levels based on gender suggest boys and girls may possess complementary skills sets when approaching environmental issues. Our findings suggest ethnicity related disparities in EL levels may be mitigated by time spent in nature, especially among black and Hispanic students.

Effects of Zoonotic Disease Attributes on Public Attitudes Towards Wildlife Management

Abstract Society faces a growing challenge in the management of zoonotic wildlife diseases. Unique attributes of zoonotic diseases and the shifting sociocultural contexts within which diseases are experienced create serious challenges for managers. We address 2 critical questions: how do uncertainty and severity associated with a zoonotic disease relate to public management attitudes and preferences, and do immigrant attitudes and preferences differ from those of long-term residents in rural areas of the Intermountain West? We addressed these questions using a personally administered questionnaire in Teton County, Idaho, USA. Based on 2 hypothetical zoonotic wildlife diseases, one less severe and more known (type A) and one more severe and less known (type B), we asked respondents to indicate their agreement with 13 statements regarding their perception of the disease and management preferences. We also asked respondents to indicate their support for different groups controlling management. Our compliance rate was 95% (n = 416, sampling error ± 4.8%). Respondents considered type B a greater risk to human and livestock health, and supported using lethal control methods, except hunting, to control it. Disease type, however, had less impact on public support for management options involving fencing and supplemental feeding. With only 2 exceptions, longer-term residents (LTR) supported lethal management options more than newer residents (NR). Further, NR hunted less than LTR, thereby restricting lethal management options. Respondents indicated some level of support for all management control options except giving authority to local civic leaders. Newer residents showed higher support for wildlife scientists and federal agencies making management decisions, whereas LTR preferred state livestock agencies. Demographic change in rural areas may lead to higher levels of support for federal and scientific control over zoonotic disease management but lower support for lethal management and ability to enact lethal management. Our results suggest 2 critical management needs: solicitation and consideration of public input for type A zoonotic disease management and promotion of hunting or developing a viable lethal management alternative.

Evaluating household-level relationships between environmental views and outdoor recreation: the Teton Valley case.

Outdoor recreation may foster positive environmental views among participants and their nonparticipating household members, but little research has addressed this hypothesis at the household level. We address this gap with a case study evaluating both the individual-and household-level relationship between outdoor recreation and environmental views using the new ecological paradigm scale (NEP). Results suggest NEP relates positively to appreciative outdoor recreation participation and negatively to nonappreciative outdoor recreation participation for participants and their household members. Future research should focus on how household dynamics mediate the relationship between environmental views and outdoor recreation.

Urban resident attitudes toward rodents, rodent control products, and environmental effects

Rodent control in urban areas can result in the inadvertent mortality of non-target species (e.g., bobcats). However, there is little detailed information from urban residents about rodent control practices. We evaluated urban rodent control behaviors in two areas of California (southwestern Bakersfield and in proximity to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO)) where biologists have observed non-target mortality among carnivores resulting from exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides. Using a mail survey instrument, we asked residents about rodent control practices including products used and application, attitudes toward rodents, and concern about non-target mortality. Forty-one percent of Bakersfield (response rate = 20%) and 59% of SAMO (response rate = 31%) respondents reported rodent or other animal control on their property. Snap traps and anticoagulants were the most commonly used physical and chemical control products, respectively. Many respondents were unsure whether (12% Bakersfield; 17% SAMO) or which (39% Bakersfield; 46% SAMO) chemical products were used on their property. When told of possible non-target effects, a majority of respondents were either very or somewhat concerned. Attitudes toward rodents were relatively negative across all respondents. Respondents who applied control products themselves (as opposed to a third party) were most supportive of ensuring availability of rodent control products. Our results suggest that residents do not readily connect their personal or household activities with larger environmental effects, and highlight potential focal areas for policy evaluation related to wildlife management, such as providing explicit information about potential environmental effects of rodent control products.