Knowledge of and attitudes toward wilderness in the southern Appalachian ecoregion

Abstract

Using two measures of knowledge of wilderness management practices, the general public does not appear to be very knowledgeable about activities allowed in federally designated wilderness areas. This lack of knowledge was found across all of the basic socio-demographic groups. Although two out of three people support setting aside more public lands as wilderness, only a small percent (14%) express strong support. People with a high school education or less, those employed in a natural resource-related job, rural residents and minorities were less supportive than their respective counterparts.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness science in a time of change conference-Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23-27; Missoula, MT

Citation

Fly, J. Mark; Jones, Robert Emmet; Cordell, H. Ken. 2000. Knowledge of and attitudes toward wilderness in the southern Appalachian ecoregion. In: McCool, Stephen F.; Cole, David N.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 2: Wilderness within the context of larger systems; 1999 May 23–27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 201-204