Motivations and barriers for the participation of family forest owners in conservation practices: an application of the transtheoretical model

Margaret Harrington; Brett J. Butler; Emma M. Sass

doi:10.1080/10871209.2025.2493907

Treesearch

Motivations and barriers for the participation of family forest owners in conservation practices: an application of the transtheoretical model

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Margaret Harrington, Brett J. Butler, Emma M. Sass

Year:

2025

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2025.2493907

Source:

Human Dimensions of Wildlife

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Download (PDF 1.33 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/69146.pdf

Abstract

Understanding landowner motivations and barriers is critical to the success of conservation programs. In 2020, we conducted a survey of family forest owners in Vermont related to expert visits, patch cuts, and applying for cost-share funds. We analyzed the activities using the Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change (TTM) and ordinal logistic regression. The TTM stage of change varied by activity with 68% of the respondents being in the Action stage for expert visits, 29% being in the Action stage for patch cuts, and 14% being in the Action stage for cost-share. The significant variables in the regression models also varied, with positive aspects including expanding owners’ knowledge, reassurance of existing management practices, following expert recommendations, and forest health benefits. Significant negative aspects included difficulty finding appropriate providers and information. These findings have important implications for effective program design and implementation.

Keywords

behavioral change model, cost-share, expert visit, nonindustrial private forest owners, patch cut, Vermont USA, wildlife habitat

Citation

Harrington, Margaret; Butler, Brett J.; Sass, Emma M. 2025. Motivations and barriers for the participation of family forest owners in conservation practices: an application of the transtheoretical model. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 17 p. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2025.2493907.