@article{peterson_larson_hipp_beall_lerose_desrochers_lauder_torres_tarr_stukes_et al._2024, title={Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well-being on college campuses: A pilot-scale experimental study}, volume={96}, ISSN={["1522-9610"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102306}, abstractNote={Exposure to nature is known to improve human health, but little is known about how one of the most common forms of nature engagement, birdwatching, impacts psychological well-being - especially among campus populations at great risk for experiencing mental health challenges. This study engaged 112 campus participants in a stepped design experiment evaluating the degree to which five >30 minute weekly birdwatching (n = 62) and nature walk (n = 77) exposures impacted self-reported subjective well-being (WHO-5) and psychological distress (STOP-D) levels relative to a control group (n = 81). The directions of all relationships supported hypotheses that nature-based experiences, and birdwatching in particular, would increase well-being and reduce distress. These results build on preliminary evidence of a causal relationship between birdwatching and well-being and highlight the value of considering well-being impacts for specific types of activities in nature, underscoring the need for future research with larger and more diverse samples.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Larson, Lincoln R. and Hipp, Aaron and Beall, Justin M. and Lerose, Catherine and Desrochers, Hannah and Lauder, Summer and Torres, Sophia and Tarr, Nathan A. and Stukes, Kayla and et al.}, year={2024}, month={Jun} }
 @article{stevenson_busch_peterson_frank_chavez_2024, title={How mixed messages may be better than avoidance in climate change education}, volume={9}, ISSN={["2190-6491"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-024-00977-3}, DOI={10.1007/s13412-024-00977-3}, journal={JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SCIENCES}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn and Busch, K. C. and Peterson, M. Nils and Frank, Danielle A. and Chavez, Regina Ayala}, year={2024}, month={Sep} }
 @article{casola_peterson_pacifici_sills_moorman_2023, title={Conservation motivations and willingness to pay for wildlife management areas among recreational user groups}, volume={132}, ISSN={0264-8377}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106801}, DOI={10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106801}, abstractNote={Conservation agencies routinely evaluate the costs and benefits of land management and land acquisition options for wildlife management areas (WMAs). Non-market values, for example visitors' consumer surplus, are often absent from these comparisons. Better estimates of willingness to pay (WTP) for WMAs will allow managers to quantify consumer surpluses for different user groups, identify opportunities to generate additional conservation funding, and improve communication with users. We used the contingent valuation method to estimate the WTP for conservation of WMAs by different user groups. We used interval censored regression to estimate WTP for each user group and modeled how WTP varied with visitation frequency, demographics, and type of use. Dual users, those who participated in both licensed (hunting, angling, or trapping) and non-licensed (all other) activities, had greater WTP ($200.07, 95% CI [$161.18, $238.95]) than users who exclusively participated in either a single non-licensed ($74.74, 95% CI [$50.45, $99.02]) or a single licensed activity ($68.21, 95% CI [$48.41, $88.00]). Willingness-to-pay increased with the number of visits to WMAs per year, college education, and income. The most popular donation motivations were that respondents cared about WMA conservation (72%), wanted WMAs to be around for future generations (70%) and personally benefited from the conservation of WMAs (64%). Similar to a scope test, this study demonstrated greater WTP by users who participate in more diverse recreation types on WMAs. Additionally, our findings show that WMA users, particularly users who engage in multiple activities including at least one that does not require a license, enjoy large consumer surpluses and thus could be drawn on for additional financial support for WMA conservation.}, journal={Land Use Policy}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Casola, William R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Pacifici, Krishna and Sills, Erin O. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2023}, month={Sep}, pages={106801} }
 @article{von furstenberg_vayer_larson_nils peterson_lee_stevenson_ahlers_anhalt‐depies_bethke_clark_et al._2023, title={Evaluating impacts of R3 workshops for first‐time hunters at universities across the United States}, volume={47}, ISSN={2328-5540 2328-5540}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wsb.1482}, DOI={10.1002/wsb.1482}, abstractNote={AbstractDeclines in hunter numbers across the United States make hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) a high priority for wildlife management. As wildlife management agencies and nongovernmental organizations seek to reach new audiences, college campuses present a unique opportunity to cultivate nontraditional path hunters. Despite recent proliferation of R3 initiatives, little research has evaluated effects of hunting programs on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of new hunters. We designed and implemented Getting Started Outdoors: Hunting 101 workshops specifically targeting college students without previous hunting experience, and we assessed workshop efficacy with a theoretically‐grounded approach to workshop evaluation. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys conducted before, shortly after, and 12–18 months after workshops, we assessed impacts of R3 efforts at large public universities in 16 different U.S. states. Across all states, 19 workshops attracted 314 total participants, with 255 completing both pre‐ and post‐workshop assessments and 133 completing the follow‐up surveys. Workshops significantly increased participants' confidence in hunting, reduced barriers related to inadequate knowledge and skills, and fostered positive views of hunters and hunting. Immediately after workshops, most participants said they would definitely (50%) or probably (34%) hunt in the future; 82% said they would likely (or very likely) purchase a hunting license. Over one year after the workshops, 34% of workshop participants reported having hunted, and another 45% said they would probably hunt in the future. Overall, workshops attracted a diverse population of potential hunters, increased interest in future hunting, and created hunting advocates. Findings highlight the potentially powerful impact that R3 programs focused on diverse college students can have on the future of hunting across the United States.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={von Furstenberg, Richard and Vayer, Victoria R. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Nils Peterson, M. and Lee, Kangjae Jerry and Stevenson, Kathryn and Ahlers, Adam A. and Anhalt‐Depies, Christine and Bethke, Taniya and Clark, Brian and et al.}, year={2023}, month={Aug} }
 @article{casola_desrochers_peterson_2023, title={Evaluating the false consensus effect in private landowner perceptions of hunting}, ISSN={["1533-158X"]}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2023.2247411}, abstractNote={Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size AcknowledgmentsNorth Carolina State University, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program funded this research. We thank the private landowners of North Carolina that took the time to complete our survey. We appreciate the numerous people that helped implement the survey, including C. Burke, M. Drake, M. McAllister, R. Valdez, and A. Fish. We also thank the anonymous reviewers for their feedback and contributions to this manuscript.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.}, journal={HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE}, author={Casola, William R. and Desrochers, Hannah M. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2023}, month={Aug} }
 @article{hartley_stevenson_pereira_peterson_lawson_martinez_2023, title={How a marine debris environmental education program plays to strengths of linguistically diverse learners}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2504-284X"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.1058864}, DOI={10.3389/feduc.2022.1058864}, abstractNote={Although environmental education (EE) has increased focus on how to best serve diverse populations, one understudied area is how linguistically diverse learners may engage with EE programming. Linguistic diversity is on the rise across the United States; for instance, nearly one-third of all children between the ages of 0 and 8 have at least one parent who speaks a language other than English in the home. This study evaluated impacts of an EE curriculum designed to promote pro-environmental behavior change with a pre-post, treatment-control experimental design among students from linguistically diverse households. In partnership with teachers, we implemented the curriculum in elementary schools across the state of North Carolina, United States. Over two school years (2018–2020), 36 teachers from 31 schools across 18 counties participated in the study, providing 644 paired pre-post student responses (n = 204 control; n = 440 treatment). About 10% of the sample (n = 49 treatment, n = 18 control) reported speaking a language at home other than English. We tested hypotheses that the curriculum would increase pro-environmental behavior change among all students, but particularly among those from linguistically diverse households using multiple linear regression. Results indicate that the curriculum effectively encouraged pro-environmental behaviors for all students on average, but particularly among linguistically diverse students, adding to growing examples of the equigenic effects of environmental and nature-based education. These findings are consistent with research demonstrating that EE can contribute to behavior change among young learners and may be particularly well-suited to resonate with the unique contributions of linguistically diverse learners.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN EDUCATION}, publisher={Frontiers Media SA}, author={Hartley, Jenna M. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Pereira, Sasha R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Lawson, Danielle F. and Martinez, Bryan}, year={2023}, month={Jan} }
 @article{casola_peterson_sills_pacifici_moorman_2022, title={Economic contributions of wildlife management areas in North Carolina}, volume={140}, ISSN={1389-9341}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102747}, DOI={10.1016/j.forpol.2022.102747}, abstractNote={Wildlife management areas (WMAs) provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Among these services, hunting and fishing often make the most obvious contribution to local and state economies through the expenditures of the hunters and anglers. However, the total economic contributions of WMAs also include other forms of recreation that are generally less visible, unlicensed, and less well understood. Quantifying the size of the economic contribution from all recreationists can inform decisions about investment in and management of public lands. To this end, we estimated the direct, indirect, and induced economic contributions of recreation on protected land managed by the state of North Carolina (NC) primarily for hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation (hereafter WMAs). We collected data on visitation and conducted in-person intercept surveys at 9 WMAs to estimate the number of visits and expenditures per visit for people engaged in activities that required licenses (e.g., hunting) and activities that did not (e.g., hiking and bird watching). We estimated annual visitation on the 9 study WMAs, accounting for differences in location, hunting season, day of the week, and weather. We then predicted annual visitation at all 94 WMAs in NC using a predictive regression model. Most visitors did not engage in any licensed activities, and those visitors spent more per trip on average ($119.83) and had greater variability in expenses than visitors engaged in licensed activities ($84.19). We used the estimates of total annual visits, expenditures per visit, and the distribution of those expenditures across sectors to calculate the economic contribution of recreation on each of the 9 study WMAs and on the entire WMA system in NC. Recreation was responsible for approximately 2200 jobs, $84 million USD in annual labor income, and $140 million USD in value added annually in NC. The majority of this contribution was due to visits made by users not engage in licensed uses of WMAs, as those users were more numerous, spent more per trip, and were more likely to visit WMAs in peri-urban areas with more economic linkages than rural areas.}, journal={Forest Policy and Economics}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Casola, William R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Sills, Erin O. and Pacifici, Krishna and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2022}, month={Jul}, pages={102747} }
 @article{vaughn_larson_peterson_pacifici_2022, title={Factors associated with human tolerance of snakes in the southeastern United States}, volume={3}, ISSN={["2673-611X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fcosc.2022.1016514}, abstractNote={Conservation of snakes is influenced by humans’ beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors toward these often-maligned animals. We investigated public attitudes toward snakes through an online survey of undergraduate students (n = 743) at a large public university in a southeastern U.S. state. We used behavioral intent (i.e., how a person would react if they encountered a snake) to assess tolerance of different snake species. We also examined various predictors of tolerance including demographic attributes and a variety of cognitive (e.g., knowledge, value orientations) and affective (e.g., emotions) social-psychological variables. Tolerance of snakes varied based on whether the snake was venomous or non-venomous: about 36% of students said they were likely to kill venomous snakes they encountered, compared with 9% who said they would kill non-venomous snakes and 21% of students who said they would kill snakes whose identity was uncertain. However, most students (54%) could not distinguish between venomous and non-venomous species. Value orientations and emotions were strong predictors of tolerance for snakes, suggesting snake outreach and management strategies should account for both cognitive and affective antecedents of behavior.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE}, author={Vaughn, Audrey K. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Pacifici, Lara B.}, year={2022}, month={Oct} }
 @article{casola_beall_peterson_larson_price_2022, title={Influence of social media on fear of sharks, perceptions of intentionality associated with shark bites, and shark management preferences}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2297-900X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fcomm.2022.1033347}, abstractNote={Sharks, a critical component of marine ecosystems, represent one of the most threatened taxa globally. Shark conservation efforts are constrained by public fear and misperceptions. Positive social media-based outreach may provide one cost effective means to reduce fear of sharks and change misperceptions about shark bite intentionality. Using framing theory, which suggests that the ways in which information is presented influences how it is processed and the changes in perceptions that result from it, we experimentally evaluated impacts of positively and negatively framed YouTube videos on fear of sharks and perceptions of shark bite intentionality among participants from the coastal state of North Carolina (NC), USA in Spring 2020. Respondents took a pre-test, followed by a randomly assigned positive or negative video treatment consisting of ~15 min of shark week videos. Pre/post-test comparisons suggest positive YouTube content decreased fright by 24%, perceived danger by 27%, and perception of shark bite intentionality by 29%, whereas negatively framed media did the opposite. Positively framed media resulted in fewer respondents blaming shark bites on sharks, and resulted in more respondents blaming swimmers or no one. Positively framed media decreased support for lethal responses to shark bites, such as shark nets, hunting down sharks that bite people, and drum lines. The positive treatment increased support for responding with research, leaving the shark alone, and education. Negatively framed media decreased support for responding by leaving the shark alone or doing nothing and increased support for some lethal responses to shark bites (i.e., drum lines and hunting down sharks). When positive and negative treatments had different effect sizes, the positive treatments tended to be more impactful. Collectively these results suggest social media may be a valuable tool for leveraging the power of communication to promote shark conservation.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN COMMUNICATION}, author={Casola, William R. and Beall, Justin M. and Peterson, M. Nils and Larson, Lincoln R. and Price, Carol S.}, year={2022}, month={Oct} }
 @article{casola_beall_nils peterson_larson_brent jackson_stevenson_2022, title={Political polarization of conservation issues in the era of COVID-19: An examination of partisan perspectives and priorities in the United States}, volume={67}, ISSN={1617-1381}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126176}, DOI={10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126176}, abstractNote={As a zoonotic disease with unprecedented global impacts, COVID-19 may influence how people prioritize issues related to wildlife conservation. Using a nationally representative sample of US residents, we investigated: (1) how COVID-19 affected the relative importance of conservation issues among adults with different political ideologies, and (2) how the pandemic affected political polarization of conservation issues during the 2020 general election in the United States. Conservation issues such as endangered species and controlling zoonotic disease ranked low in importance among the 14 policy issues considered, even lower than environmental issues such as climate change and environmental protection; however, the importance of all conservation issues increased as a result of COVID-19. Political polarization surrounding the perceived importance of conservation issues also increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Democrats reporting larger increases in importance than Republicans. Polarization was driven by the most conservative Republicans and the most liberal Democrats. But this polarization was less extreme than it was for other issues such as climate change and healthcare. Findings highlight the need for communicating links between zoonotic disease and human interactions with wildlife and the environment. Acting quickly may be critical in areas where conservation issues are primed to succumb to political polarization.}, journal={Journal for Nature Conservation}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Casola, William R. and Beall, Justin M. and Nils Peterson, M. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Brent Jackson, S. and Stevenson, Kathryn T.}, year={2022}, month={Jun}, pages={126176} }
 @article{beall_jackson_casola_peterson_larson_stevenson_seekamp_2022, title={Self-reported participation in outdoor and nature-based recreation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic supports psychological health and well-being}, volume={3}, ISSN={2666-5581}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2022.100094}, DOI={10.1016/j.wss.2022.100094}, abstractNote={Restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered daily lives and affected human health and well-being. Outdoor and nature-based activities could potentially mitigate some of these negative impacts. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on outdoor recreation and subjective well-being, we combined two samples of U.S. adults collected from April 30th - June 15th, 2020 and from August 7th - August 26th, 2020 (total n = 2178) using Qualtrics XM. During the pandemic, participation in outdoor activities declined by 35%, participation in nature-based activities declined by 33%, and subjective well-being declined by 24%. Participation in outdoor activities and nature activities prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic predicted smaller declines in subjective well-being. Results highlight the importance of outdoor recreation for building resilience to changes in subjective well-being before and during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.}, journal={Wellbeing, Space and Society}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Beall, Justin M. and Jackson, S. Brent and Casola, William R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Larson, Lincoln R. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Seekamp, Erin}, year={2022}, pages={100094} }
 @article{beall_pharr_von furstenberg_barber_casola_vaughn_peterson_larson_2022, title={The influence of YouTube videos on human tolerance of sharks}, volume={26}, ISSN={1367-9430 1469-1795}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acv.12808}, DOI={10.1111/acv.12808}, abstractNote={AbstractSharks are often depicted in the media as violent killers that actively seek out opportunities to harm humans. This framing may impact human tolerance and support of shark conservation, underscoring the need to identify strategies that counteract these negative representations. Social media, given its widespread use, could be an effective platform for shaping public tolerance for sharks and other wildlife species. In this experimental study, we conducted an online pre‐post survey in Spring 2020 to determine how viewing shark‐related YouTube videos impacted tolerance for sharks among residents (n = 335) in the coastal state of North Carolina (NC), USA and neighboring states. The study employed framing theory, which suggests that the ways in which information is presented influence how it is processed and the actions that result from it. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two video treatments where sharks were framed positively or negatively. Each video treatment impacted tolerance for sharks in the direction of their framing: positive framing influenced positive changes in tolerance (70% more positive attitudes toward sharks, a 130% increase in acceptance of sharks and a 46% increase in intended shark conservation behaviors), and negative framing influenced negative changes (25% more negative attitudes toward sharks, a 18% decrease in acceptance of sharks and a 3% decrease in intended shark conservation behaviors). These findings suggest positive messages about sharks on social media promote tolerance of sharks and can be more impactful than negative messages. At least one form of social media, YouTube, appears to be a valuable tool for encouraging tolerance for sharks.}, number={2}, journal={Animal Conservation}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Beall, J. M. and Pharr, L. D. and von Furstenberg, R. and Barber, A. and Casola, W. R. and Vaughn, A. and Peterson, M. N. and Larson, L. R.}, year={2022}, month={Jul}, pages={154–164} }
 @article{gibson_busch_stevenson_cutts_demattia_aguilar_ardoin_carrier_clark_cooper_et al._2022, title={What is community-level environmental literacy, and how can we measure it? A report of a convening to conceptualize and operationalize CLEL}, volume={5}, ISSN={["1469-5871"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2067325}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2022.2067325}, abstractNote={Abstract Environmental education research often emphasizes the importance of community context, but conceptualization and measurement of environmental literacy has mostly occurred at the individual level, often focusing on individual behaviors. The environmental problems facing the world today require collective action—communities coming together to address large-scale problems. Accordingly, understanding and encouraging collective action requires a shift in focus from individual to community-level environmental literacy (CLEL). Despite its importance, CLEL has been left largely undefined and unmentioned in environmental education literature. To understand the field’s current conceptualizations and measurement strategies around CLEL, the authors held a convening of 24 researchers to discuss the topic. Here, we report the findings of this convening and present a series of tensions that emerged in conceptualizing and measuring CLEL. We see this area of research as rich with opportunity for innovation and offer considerations for researchers engaging in this work.}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Gibson, Lauren M. and Busch, K. C. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Cutts, Bethany B. and DeMattia, Elizabeth A. and Aguilar, Olivia M. and Ardoin, Nicole M. and Carrier, Sarah J. and Clark, Charlotte R. and Cooper, Caren B. and et al.}, year={2022}, month={Apr} }
 @article{jackson_stevenson_larson_peterson_seekamp_2021, title={Connection to Nature Boosts Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic}, volume={13}, ISSN={2071-1050}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su132112297}, DOI={10.3390/su132112297}, abstractNote={Growing evidence suggests that connection to nature may be linked to mental health and well-being. Behavioral changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively affect adolescents’ connection to nature, subsequently impacting health and well-being. We explored the relationship between connection to nature and well-being before and during the pandemic through a nationally representative survey of adolescents across the United States (n = 624) between April and June 2020. Survey items focused on connection to nature, mental well-being, and participation in outdoor activities before and during the pandemic. Paired-sample t-tests revealed declines in connection to nature, mental well-being, and participation in outdoor activities during the pandemic. Multiple linear regression analyses examining connection to nature’s mediating role between outdoor activity participation and mental well-being indicated that connection to nature fueled higher levels of mental well-being at both time intervals. Z scores comparing connection to nature’s mediating role between outdoor activity participation and mental well-being between time intervals indicate that during the pandemic, the direct effect of outdoor activities on mental well-being increased, generating a greater impact than before the pandemic. This study illustrates how the health and well-being benefits associated with adolescents’ outdoor activities are reinforced when those activities also foster a stronger connection to nature.}, number={21}, journal={Sustainability}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Jackson, S. Brent and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Seekamp, Erin}, year={2021}, month={Nov}, pages={12297} }
 @article{beall_casola_peterson_larson_carr_seekamp_stevenson_jackson_2021, title={Cultural Cognition and Ideological Framing Influence Communication About Zoonotic Disease in the Era of COVID-19}, volume={6}, ISSN={2297-900X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2021.645692}, DOI={10.3389/fcomm.2021.645692}, abstractNote={The efficacy of science communication can be influenced by the cultural values and cognitions of target audiences, yet message framing rarely accounts for these cognitive factors. To explore the effects of message framing tailored to specific audiences, we investigated relationships between one form of cultural cognition—political ideology—and perceptions about the zoonotic origins of the COVID-19 pandemic using a nationally representative Qualtrics XM panel (n = 1,554) during August 2020. First, we examined differences in attitudes towards science (in general) and COVID-19 (specifically) based on political ideology. We found that, compared to conservatives and moderates, liberals trusted science more, were less skeptical of science, perceived greater risk from COVID-19, were more likely to believe in a wildlife origin of COVID-19, and were more likely to support restrictions on wildlife trade. Second, we examined the influence of cultural framing on the perceived validity of science related to COVID-19. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) a technocratic framing that highlighted feats of human ingenuity to overcome zoonoses; 2) a regulatory framing that highlighted regulations and expansions of protected areas for wildlife as a means to prevent zoonoses, and 3) a control article about traffic lights with no cultural framing. After reading the initial framing article, all three groups read the same fictional, yet factually accurate, ‘Nature Science study’ generated by the authors. An OLS regression model revealed a significant interaction between the technocratic framing and political ideology. Relative to the control group, the technocratic framing slightly increased perceived validity of the Nature Science study for conservatives, significantly lowered perceived validity for liberals, and had no impact on moderates. We did not detect any significant interaction between framing and political ideology for the regulatory framing. Findings of this study highlight the need to account for cultural cognitions when communicating about COVID-19 and other zoonotic diseases. Communication strategies carefully designed to resonate with ideologically diverse audiences may ultimately lead to bipartisan support for actions required to promote “One Health” approaches that reduce the impacts of zoonoses on human and environmental health.}, journal={Frontiers in Communication}, publisher={Frontiers Media SA}, author={Beall, Justin M. and Casola, William R. and Peterson, M Nils. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Carr, Wylie A. and Seekamp, Erin and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Jackson, S Brent}, year={2021}, month={May} }
 @article{vayer_larson_peterson_lee_von furstenberg_choi_stevenson_ahlers_anhalt‐depies_bethke_et al._2021, title={Diverse University Students Across the United States Reveal Promising Pathways to Hunter Recruitment and Retention}, volume={85}, ISSN={0022-541X 1937-2817}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22055}, DOI={10.1002/jwmg.22055}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTDeclining participation in hunting, especially among young adult hunters, affects the ability of state and federal agencies to achieve goals for wildlife management and decreases revenue for conservation. For wildlife agencies hoping to engage diverse audiences in hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) efforts, university settings provide unique advantages: they contain millions of young adults who are developmentally primed to explore new activities, and they cultivate a social atmosphere where new identities can flourish. From 2018 to 2020, we surveyed 17,203 undergraduate students at public universities across 22 states in the United States to explore R3 potential on college campuses and assess key demographic, social, and cognitive correlates of past and intended future hunting behavior. After weighting to account for demographic differences between our sample and the larger student population, 29% of students across all states had hunted in the past. Students with previous hunting experience were likely to be white, male, from rural areas or hunting families, and pursuing degrees related to natural resources. When we grouped students into 1 of 4 categories with respect to hunting (i.e., non‐hunters [50%], potential hunters [22%], active hunters [26%], and lapsed hunters [3%]), comparisons revealed differences based on demographic attributes, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Compared to active hunters, potential hunters were more likely to be females or racial and ethnic minorities, and less likely to experience social support for hunting. Potential hunters valued game meat and altruistic reasons for hunting, but they faced unique constraints due to lack of hunting knowledge and skills. Findings provide insights for marketing and programming designed to achieve R3 objectives with a focus on university students. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.}, number={5}, journal={The Journal of Wildlife Management}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Vayer, Victoria R. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Lee, Kangjae Jerry and Von Furstenberg, Richard and Choi, Daniel Y. and Stevenson, Kathryn and Ahlers, Adam A. and Anhalt‐Depies, Christine and Bethke, Taniya and et al.}, year={2021}, month={May}, pages={1017–1030} }
 @article{casola_rehnberg_peterson_blake_thorne_langerhans_2022, title={Drivers of long-term support for marine protected areas in The Bahamas}, volume={217}, ISSN={["1873-524X"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.106000}, abstractNote={Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a critical tool for fisheries conservation and require public support to function effectively. Although much research highlights ways to develop public support for MPAs, less is known about how and why support for MPAs persists over time. We contribute to this literature with a case study on Andros, The Bahamas by examining how support for MPAs established in the early 2000s has persisted and changed over two decades. We interviewed 162 residents with fisheries and tourism related livelihoods between May and June of 2019. Our results indicated long-term support for MPAs was primarily predicted by: 1) access to alternative sources of income outside fishing, 2) attendance at MPA scoping meetings, 3) age, and 4) level of formal education. Support for future MPA establishment was positively predicted by support for previous MPAs, concern about overfishing, the perception among residents that MPAs were established for the right reasons, and residence within tourism-associated settlements. These results suggest public engagement in MPA establishment and preserving fishing livelihoods, or providing viable alternatives, will promote long-term public support for future MPAs.}, journal={OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT}, author={Casola, William R. and Rehnberg, Mike and Peterson, M. Nils and Blake, Kristen and Thorne, Tyana and Langerhans, R. Brain}, year={2022}, month={Feb} }
 @article{garabedian_moorman_peterson_kilgo_2021, title={Group size mediates effects of intraspecific competition and forest structure on productivity in a recovering social woodpecker population}, volume={25}, ISSN={1367-9430 1469-1795}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acv.12757}, DOI={10.1111/acv.12757}, abstractNote={AbstractConservation of endangered social wildlife in disturbance‐prone forests is challenging because direct and indirect effects of management strategies developed at the time of species’ listing when population density is low may change under high‐density conditions in locally recovered populations. Here, we used piecewise structural equation modeling to evaluate direct and indirect drivers of productivity in the federally endangered cooperatively breeding red‐cockaded woodpeckerDryobates borealis(RCW) on Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA. We estimated direct and indirect relationships among group size, neighboring group sizes, fledgling production, density of cavity tree clusters occupied by RCWs, area satisfying threshold criteria of ≥22 stems ha−1of pines ≥35.6 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), <1.4 m2 ha−1basal area (BA) of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh, and <6% hardwood canopy cover, and area treated with prescribed fire, and tested whether group size mediated indirect effects of area satisfying threshold criteria on fledgling production. Increases in area with ≥22 stems ha−1of pines ≥35.6 cm dbh and <1.4 m2 ha−1BA of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh, and area treated with prescribed fire, but not area with <6% hardwood canopy cover, had direct positive effects on group size. Group size and area treated with prescribed fire, but not area satisfying threshold criteria, had direct positive effects on fledgling production. The direct effect of neighboring group sizes on fledgling production was negative and smaller relative to the direct positive effect of group size on fledgling production. Overall, our results indicate positive direct effects of group size on fledgling production outweighed negative direct effects of neighboring group sizes, and that group size mediated positive indirect effects of area satisfying structural threshold criteria on fledgling production. These findings indicate that ongoing forest management aimed to increase area with ≥22 pines ha−1≥35.6 cm dbh and <1.4 m2 ha−1BA of hardwoods 7.6–22.9 cm dbh will promote large group sizes, which in turn improve fledgling production and offset costs of heightened competition with neighboring groups under high‐density conditions. Additionally, positive effects of area treated with prescribed fire on RCW group size and fledgling production indicate prescribed fire has unique contributions to woodpecker productivity, likely via direct effects on forest structure and potentially indirect effects on arthropod prey available to foraging RCWs. By simultaneously accounting for multiple drivers of productivity in social wildlife, our study contributes to the understanding of how increases in social wildlife population sizes can alter previously documented habitat‐fitness relationships.}, number={3}, journal={Animal Conservation}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Garabedian, J. E. and Moorman, C. E. and Peterson, M. N. and Kilgo, J. C.}, year={2021}, month={Nov}, pages={438–452} }
 @article{stevenson_szczytko_carrier_peterson_2021, title={How outdoor science education can help girls stay engaged with science}, volume={43}, ISSN={["1464-5289"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1900948}, DOI={10.1080/09500693.2021.1900948}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Although gender gaps associated with K-12 science achievement have narrowed significantly, gaps in science engagement and efficacy in childhood likely explain why women remain underrepresented in science careers. Early intervention programs may address root causes of gender gaps in science careers. Outdoor science education (OSE) is one understudied but promising strategy, that provides ample opportunity for reform-based instructional practices that may benefit girls, including girls of colour. Using a pre–post, treatment-control quasi-experimental design, we evaluated how an OSE program differentially impacted the science grades, science knowledge, and science self-efficacy of fifth grade girls versus boys (n = 640). We found the OSE treatment increased knowledge and maintained science grades for girls while grades fell for girls in the control group. We also found that science self-efficacy decreased for both boys and girls in the treatment group. We did not detect direct or interaction effects of race on science outcomes. Research suggests OSE may help students associate science learning with challenge, which may help explain the decrease in self-efficacy coupled with the increase in achievement for girls. We suggest future research continue to investigate how OSE can benefit all students, including those who may become disengaged with learning in traditional classroom settings.}, number={7}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Szczytko, Rachel E. and Carrier, Sarah J. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2021}, month={May}, pages={1090–1111} }
 @article{hartley_stevenson_peterson_busch_carrier_demattia_jambeck_lawson_strnad_2021, title={Intergenerational learning: A recommendation for engaging youth to address marine debris challenges}, volume={170}, ISSN={["1879-3363"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112648}, abstractNote={Youth can impact environmental attitudes and behaviors among adults. Indeed, research on intergenerational learning has demonstrated the influence of young people on adults in their lives for myriad environmental topics. Intergenerational learning (IGL) refers to the bidirectional transfer of knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors from children to their parents or other adults and vice versa. We suggest an educational framework wherein K-12 marine debris education designed to maximize IGL may be a strategy to accelerate interdisciplinary, community-level solutions to marine debris. Although technical strategies continue to be developed to address the marine debris crisis, even the most strictly technical of these benefit from social support. Here, we present 10 Best Practices grounded in educational, IGL, and youth civic engagement literature to promote marine debris solutions. We describe how integrating IGL and civic engagement into K-12-based marine debris curricula may start a virtuous circle benefiting teachers, students, families, communities, and the ocean.}, journal={MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN}, author={Hartley, Jenna M. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Busch, K. C. and Carrier, Sarah J. and DeMattia, Elizabeth A. and Jambeck, Jenna R. and Lawson, Danielle F. and Strnad, Renee L.}, year={2021}, month={Sep} }
 @article{ennes_lawson_stevenson_peterson_jones_2021, title={It’s about time: perceived barriers to in-service teacher climate change professional development}, volume={27}, ISSN={["1469-5871"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1909708}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2021.1909708}, abstractNote={Abstract The pressing nature of climate change and its associated impacts requires a climate literate citizenry. Climate change education in K-12 settings may provide a unique opportunity to make inroads towards climate literacy. However, many K-12 teachers avoid teaching climate change because they are uncomfortable with the subject or do not see its relevance to their curriculum. Removing barriers to climate change professional development (CCPD) for teachers may help increase confidence in teaching about climate change. To understand the perceived barriers to participating in CCPD, a survey was conducted with 54 middle school science teachers who did not respond to a previous invitation to participate in a CCPD program. The most significant barrier was time to participate. The participants were also asked to rate their confidence about whether climate change is happening. The results were compared between teachers who were confident climate change was happening and those who were not to examine whether these beliefs influenced teachers’ perceptions of barriers. Those who were confident climate change was happening were less likely to perceive administrative support, interest in the workshop, and knowledge of climate change content as barriers. However, both groups of teachers reported that time was the primary barrier rather than the topic. This suggests that, rather than developing unique strategies, existing best practices in teacher professional development can be used to support CCPD opportunities. Additional recommendations include thinking creatively about how to create time for teachers to attend and making the professional development directly relevant to teacher’s local contexts.}, number={5}, journal={Environmental Education Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Ennes, M. and Lawson, D. and Stevenson, K. and Peterson, N. and Jones, M.G.}, year={2021}, pages={762–778} }
 @article{casola_peterson_wu_sills_pease_pacifici_2021, title={Measuring the value of public hunting land using a hedonic approach}, volume={8}, ISSN={["1533-158X"]}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2021.1953196}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Acquisition of public land is critical for wildlife conservation and can impact local tax bases and property values. Those impacts reflect the capitalized value of benefits (e.g., recreational opportunities) and costs (e.g., nuisance wildlife) of living near protected areas. We employed the hedonic price framework to determine how proximity and adjacency to public hunting land in North Carolina were capitalized into housing prices. We modeled sale price as the composite value of structural, neighborhood, and environmental characteristics. Proximity to public hunting land had positive effects on sale price in some locations, whereas adjacency had negative effects in some locations. These relationships were dependent on the sociocultural context of the public hunting land, including proximity to other forms of public land. This research may help facilitate negotiations among stakeholders impacted by protected areas, including land dedicated to wildlife-based recreation.}, journal={HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE}, author={Casola, William R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Wu, Yu and Sills, Erin O. and Pease, Brent S. and Pacifici, Krishna}, year={2021}, month={Aug} }
 @article{jenkins_cummings_cabe_hulthen_peterson_langerhans_2021, title={Natural and anthropogenic sources of habitat variation influence exploration behaviour, stress response, and brain morphology in a coastal fish}, ISSN={["1365-2656"]}, DOI={10.1111/1365-2656.13557}, abstractNote={Abstract


Evolutionary ecology aims to better understand how ecologically important traits respond to environmental heterogeneity. Environments vary both naturally and as a result of human activities, and investigations that simultaneously consider how natural and human‐induced environmental variation affect diverse trait types grow increasingly important as human activities drive species endangerment.

Here, we examined how habitat fragmentation and structural habitat complexity affect disparate trait types in Bahamas mosquitofish Gambusia hubbsi inhabiting tidal creeks. We tested a priori predictions for how these factors might influence exploratory behaviour, stress reactivity and brain anatomy.

We examined approximately 350 adult Bahamas mosquitofish from seven tidal‐creek populations across Andros Island, The Bahamas that varied in both human‐caused fragmentation (three fragmented and four unfragmented) and natural habitat complexity (e.g. fivefold variation in rock habitat).

Populations that had experienced severe human‐induced fragmentation, and thus restriction of tidal exchange from the ocean, exhibited greater exploration of a novel environment, stronger physiological stress responses to a mildly stressful event and smaller telencephala (relative to body size). These changes matched adaptive predictions based mostly on (a) reduced chronic predation risk and (b) decreased demands for navigating tidally dynamic habitats. Populations from sites with greater structural habitat complexity showed a higher propensity for exploration and a relatively larger optic tectum and cerebellum. These patterns matched adaptive predictions related to increased demands for navigating complex environments.

Our findings demonstrate environmental variation, including recent anthropogenic impacts (<50 years), can significantly affect complex, ecologically important traits. Yet trait‐specific patterns may not be easily predicted, as we found strong support for only six of 12 predictions. Our results further highlight the utility of simultaneously quantifying multiple environmental factors—for example had we failed to account for habitat complexity, we would not have detected the effects of fragmentation on exploratory behaviours. These responses, and their ecological consequences, may be complex: rapid and adaptive phenotypic responses to anthropogenic impacts can facilitate persistence in human‐altered environments, but may come at a cost of population vulnerability if ecological restoration was to occur without consideration of the altered traits.

}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY}, author={Jenkins, Matthew R. and Cummings, John M. and Cabe, Alex R. and Hulthen, Kaj and Peterson, M. Nils and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{jackson_stevenson_larson_peterson_seekamp_2021, title={Outdoor Activity Participation Improves Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic}, volume={18}, ISSN={1660-4601}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052506}, DOI={10.3390/ijerph18052506}, abstractNote={COVID-19 is reshaping human interactions with the natural environment, potentially generating profound consequences for health and well-being. To assess the effects of COVID-19 on the outdoor recreation participation and subjective well-being of adolescents, as well as how participation in outdoor activities may mitigate declines in subjective well-being, we used a Qualtrics XM panel to conduct a nationally representative survey of youth ages 10–18 across the United States (n = 624) between 30 April and 15 June 2020. Survey questions focused on frequency of participation in outdoor activities before and during the pandemic, as well as changes in subjective well-being. Paired t-tests revealed decreases in both outdoor recreation participation (64% reported declines) and subjective well-being (52% reported declines). A regression model examining correlates of changes in subjective well-being (R2 = 0.42) revealed strong associations with changes in outdoor play (B = 0.44, p < 0.001) and nature-based (B = 0.21, p = 0.016) activities. Adolescents’ from all backgrounds who participated in these activities during the pandemic reported smaller declines in subjective well-being. Results highlight the critical role that time outdoors and time in nature play in bolstering adolescents’ resilience to stressors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and underscore the need to facilitate outdoor recreation opportunities for youth during times of crisis.}, number={5}, journal={International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Jackson, S. Brent and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Larson, Lincoln R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Seekamp, Erin}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={2506} }
 @article{larson_peterson_furstenberg_vayer_lee_choi_stevenson_ahlers_anhalt-depies_bethke_et al._2021, title={The future of wildlife conservation funding: What options do US college students support?}, volume={3}, ISSN={2578-4854 2578-4854}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/csp2.505}, DOI={10.1111/csp2.505}, abstractNote={AbstractInsufficient funding is a major impediment to conservation efforts around the world. In the United States, a decline in hunting participation threatens sustainability of the “user‐pay, public benefit” model that has supported wildlife conservation for nearly 100 years, forcing wildlife management agencies to contemplate alternative funding strategies. We investigated support for potential funding options among diverse college students, a rapidly expanding and politically active voting bloc with a potentially powerful influence on the future of conservation. From 2018 to 2020, we surveyed 17,203 undergraduate students at public universities across 22 states. Students preferred innovative approaches to conservation funding, with 72% supporting funding derived from industry sources (e.g., natural resource extraction companies), 63% supporting state sources (e.g., general sales tax), and 43% supporting conventional user‐based sources such as license fees and excise taxes associated with outdoor recreation activities (e.g., hunting). Findings emphasize the need to broaden the base of support for conservation funding and highlight the importance of considering the preferences and perspectives of young adults and other diverse beneficiaries of wildlife conservation.}, number={10}, journal={CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Larson, Lincoln R. and Peterson, Markus Nils and Furstenberg, Richard Von and Vayer, Victoria R. and Lee, Kangjae Jerry and Choi, Daniel Y. and Stevenson, Kathryn and Ahlers, Adam A. and Anhalt-Depies, Christine and Bethke, Taniya and et al.}, year={2021}, month={Jul}, pages={e505} }
 @article{vaughn_peterson_casola_stevenson_pacifici_2021, title={Using the Implicit Association Test to Evaluate Subconscious Attitudes Toward Snakes}, volume={10}, ISSN={["1753-0377"]}, DOI={10.1080/08927936.2021.1986261}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT
 Human fear and antipathy toward snakes make conservation and management of these species difficult, as negative attitudes are not generally linked to public support. However, our understanding of whether such attitudes are innate or learned is limited. In this study, respondents aged 7–76 years completed an implicit association test (IAT) designed to examine implicit attitudes toward snakes (n = 175). Respondents had negative implicit attitudes toward snakes. Parents had more negative implicit attitudes toward snakes than children, but we detected no effects for sex or race/ethnicity, and the overall ability for demographic variables to predict implicit attitudes was low (R2  = 0.035). Approximately, 13% of the overall variance was explained by the random effect for family unit (ρ = 0.132), indicating membership within a given household unit had small effects on the development of implicit biases against snakes. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that human aversion to snakes is implicit and provide more evidence that aversion may be innate within our biological or cultural memory. Implicit bias training may be critical to mitigate the effects of negative implicit attitudes toward snakes. Although future research is needed to understand socio-demographic correlates of implicit biases against snakes, our results suggest interventions may be crafted without concern about unique responses to snakes across sex and ethnicities.}, journal={ANTHROZOOS}, author={Vaughn, Audrey K. and Peterson, M. Nils and Casola, William R. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Pacifici, Lara B.}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
 @article{liles_peterson_stevenson_peterson_2021, title={Youth wildlife preferences and species-based conservation priorities in a low-income biodiversity hotspot region}, volume={48}, ISSN={["1469-4387"]}, DOI={10.1017/S0376892921000035}, abstractNote={SummaryPublic preferences for wildlife protection can dictate the success or failure of conservation interventions. However, little research has focused on wildlife preferences among youth or how youth prioritize species-based conservation. We conducted a study of youth between 7 and 20 years old (n = 128) at five local schools situated near critical hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting beaches in El Salvador to determine their wildlife preferences and how they prioritize species for conservation based on five attributes: endemism; use for hunting and fishing; rapid decline in population size; presence around their home; and ecological significance. These Salvadoran youth showed preferences for native over non-native species and tended to rank rapid population decline as the most important attribute for prioritizing wildlife for protection, followed by use for hunting and fishing. Participants in local environmental education activities placed greater importance on species in rapid decline than non-participants, who considered endemism as most important. Overall, these findings reveal how environmental education may successfully promote increased prioritization of imperilled species among youth. Economic payments for conserving hawksbill turtles may link the two top reasons that Salvadoran youth provided for protecting species by compensating for the reduced hunting required to facilitate population stabilization.}, number={2}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION}, author={Liles, Michael J. and Peterson, M. Nils and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, Markus J.}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={110–117} }
 @article{peterson_bruskotter_rodriguez_2020, title={Conservation Hospice: A Better Metaphor for the Conservation and Care of Terminal Species}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2296-701X"]}, DOI={10.3389/fevo.2020.00143}, abstractNote={The extinction crisis creates a need to increase conservation funding and use it more efficiently. Most conservation resources are allocated through inefficient political processes that seem ill equipped for dealing with the crisis. In response, conservation triage emerged as a metaphor for thinking about the optimization of resource allocation. Because triage operates primarily as a metaphor, not means for allocating resources, its metaphorical implications are of particular importance. Of particular concern, the triage metaphor justifies abandoning some species while acquiescing to inadequate conservation funding. We argue conservation hospice provides an alternative medical metaphor for thinking about the extinction crisis. Hospice is based on the underlying principle of caring for all (species) and places particular emphasis on expected survival time, symptom burden and relief, treatments, ability to “stay at home” (i.e., in situ conservation), and maintaining support for related species and landscapes. Ultimately, application of hospice principles may be ethically obligated for a society that accepts the idea that least some organisms are intrinsically valuable and may help place emphasis on resource allocation issues without providing implicit justification for abandoning species to extinction.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Bruskotter, Jeremy T. and Rodriguez, Shari L.}, year={2020}, month={Jun} }
 @article{peterson_chen_essen_hansen_2020, title={Evaluating how Swedish hunters determine which species belong in nature}, volume={66}, ISSN={["1439-0574"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10344-020-01418-6}, number={5}, journal={EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Chen, Alyssa and Essen, Erica and Hansen, Hans Peter}, year={2020}, month={Aug} }
 @article{peterson_von essen_hansen_2021, title={Evaluating how Swedish hunters value content in hunter education classes}, volume={26}, ISSN={["1533-158X"]}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2020.1850934}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Hunter education classes are a compulsory education tool for all hunters in North America, Europe and some other regions. However, little research focuses on hunter education. We surveyed Swedish hunters, examining how they valued key aspects of hunter education, and identifying socio-demographic predictors for those preferences. Learning about dog handling and making friends in the hunting community were the least important aspects of hunter education. Information about firearms was most important followed by information about hunting ethics, hunting laws, and wildlife ecology. Agerelated positively to valuing most aspects of hunter education. Duration huntingrelated negatively to valuing those aspects. Hunters motivated by social interactions valued hunting ethics content more, and hunters motivated by obtaining trophies valued hunting ethics less than their counterparts. Hunter education in Sweden would benefit from changes aimed at highlighting aspects of hunting that students’ value most.}, number={5}, journal={HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Von Essen, Erica and Hansen, Hans Peter}, year={2021}, month={Sep}, pages={492–500} }
 @article{casola_oren_register_littlejohn_peterson_langerhans_2021, title={Modernization of artisanal fishing communities on Andros Island, The Bahamas, as a treadmill of production}, volume={201}, ISSN={["1873-524X"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105487}, abstractNote={Globalization and modernization have driven drastic changes in communities dependent on natural resources. Yet the impacts on resources and local well-being vary widely, with positive outcomes often linked to ecological modernization theory and negative outcomes often linked to treadmill of production theory. We contribute to this literature with a qualitative case study of Bahamian fishing communities which underwent rapid modernization during the latter half of the 20th century. We interviewed 31 fishers on Andros Island, ranging from 49 to 90 years in age, about how they experienced modernization. Participants identified consequences of modernization consistent with treadmill of production theory, including economic system restructuring, introduction of new technologies, increased market demand for natural resources, environmental degradation, and a struggle to maintain quality of life. They identified international tourism, market demands for fish, and employment opportunities outside the island as primary drivers of change and expressed both positive and negative attitudes towards the consequences of modernization. Local fishers described modernization as incorporating elements of world systems theory and telecoupling, including 1) the economic expansion of the country's capital and most densely populated city, Nassau, coming at the environmental and economic expense of Andros, and 2) the introduction of diving as a key fishing method based on practices adapted from international tourists. Participant's accounts of modernization were not consistent with ecological modernization theory but may reflect some elements of this theory in the future in association with the rapid expansion of higher education opportunities on Bahamian "family islands."}, journal={OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT}, author={Casola, William R. and Oren, Jenny and Register, Morgan L. and Littlejohn, Jackson and Peterson, M. Nils and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2021}, month={Feb} }
 @article{lawson_stevenson_peterson_carrier_seekamp_strnad_2019, title={Evaluating climate change behaviors and concern in the family context}, volume={25}, ISSN={1350-4622 1469-5871}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2018.1564248}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2018.1564248}, abstractNote={Abstract Although research suggests that family dynamics likely play a role in shaping children’s behaviors, few studies focus on environmental behaviors, and none to our knowledge investigate how parents shape climate change mitigation behaviors among their children. We begin to fill this gap through a quantitative case study using matched household-level survey data from 182 coastal North Carolina families (n = 241 parents aged 29–77; n = 182 students aged 11–14) associated with 15 middle school science teachers. Family climate change discussions, parent behaviors, and children’s climate change concern levels predicted the degree to which children will participate in individual-level climate mitigation behaviors. These results provide evidence that promoting climate-related conversations within households may promote climate action even when parents are apathetic about climate change. Similarly, parental behaviors, but not their concern levels, were important predictors of adolescent behaviors. This study highlights novel ways that family dynamics may promote climate change mitigating behaviors and a new pathway to promoting climate mitigation at familial, and ultimately, societal levels.}, number={5}, journal={Environmental Education Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Lawson, Danielle F. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Carrier, Sarah J. and Seekamp, Erin and Strnad, Renee}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={678–690} }
 @article{giefer_peterson_chen_2019, title={Interactions among Locus of Control, Environmental Attitudes and Pro-Environmental Behaviour in China}, volume={46}, ISSN={0376-8929 1469-4387}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892919000043}, DOI={10.1017/S0376892919000043}, abstractNote={SummaryPromoting environmentally conscious behaviour requires an understanding of the complex cognitive mechanisms by which people decide to act environmentally. Research suggests that locus of control (LOC), or the extent to which a person feels his or her own actions can produce broader change, is an important predictor of environmental behaviour; however, little is known about how LOC interacts with other cognitive motivators. This study uses a nationwide survey from China to test whether LOC moderates the effect of environmental attitudes on behaviour. Respondents with external LOC (i.e., those who believe personal actions cannot produce change) reported lower pro-environmental behaviour than those with internal LOC (i.e., those who believe personal actions can produce change). In addition, the influence of environmental attitudes on pro-environmental behaviour was stronger among respondents with external LOC than those with internal LOC. These results support efforts to promote conservation in China by promoting internal LOC and add a novel suggestion that attitude-based messaging is more efficacious among audiences with external LOC.}, number={03}, journal={Environmental Conservation}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Giefer, Madeline M and Peterson, M Nils and Chen, Xiaodong}, year={2019}, month={Apr}, pages={234–240} }
 @article{valdez_peterson_pitts_delborne_2019, title={International news media framing of invasive rodent eradications}, volume={21}, ISSN={1387-3547 1573-1464}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S10530-018-01911-9}, DOI={10.1007/S10530-018-01911-9}, number={4}, journal={Biological Invasions}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Valdez, R. X. and Peterson, M. N. and Pitts, E. A. and Delborne, J. A.}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={1439–1449} }
 @article{valdez_peterson_chen_steward_hannameyer_seebaluck_hulthen_langerhans_2019, title={Perceptions of Resilience in Fishery-Dependent Bahamian Communities Following a Category 4 Hurricane}, volume={44}, ISSN={["1548-8446"]}, DOI={10.1002/fsh.10310}, abstractNote={Fishery‐dependent communities in coastal environments are often vulnerable to hurricanes, but diverse and accessible fisheries may buffer the effects of extreme storms and promote community resilience. We began evaluating this possibility with a qualitative study in the Lowe Sound and Red Bays communities in The Bahamas immediately after the impact of a category 4 hurricane. We interviewed 68 households, asking about the relationships between the storm's impacts and fisheries resources. Lowe Sound respondents described fisheries as natural insurance that provided food and income. Both communities indicated that retaining access to boats was critically important. Respondents most often blamed impacts on low‐elevation geography, followed by religious interpretations. Fishers linked damages with climate change more often than other community members, suggesting that fishers have an experiential knowledge of climate change. We discuss the importance of fisheries as natural insurance, how recovery efforts can strengthen resilience, and potential outreach strategies that incorporate local knowledge.}, number={11}, journal={FISHERIES}, author={Valdez, Rene Xavier and Peterson, Nils and Chen, Alyssa and Steward, Michael and Hannameyer, Katrina and Seebaluck, Hans and Hulthen, Kaj and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2019}, month={Nov}, pages={515–523} }
 @article{garabedian_peterson_moorman_kilgo_2019, title={Using qualitative methods to support recovery of endangered species: The case of red-cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat}, volume={17}, ISSN={2351-9894}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.GECCO.2019.E00553}, DOI={10.1016/J.GECCO.2019.E00553}, abstractNote={Meta-analyses are powerful tools for synthesizing wildlife-habitat relationships, but small sample sizes and complex species-habitat relationships often preclude correlative meta-analyses on endangered species. In this study, we demonstrate qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as a tool that can reliably synthesize habitat-fitness relationships from small sample sizes for species with narrow habitat requirements. We apply QCA to results from a habitat threshold regression tree model and identify habitat thresholds with consistent positive effects on fitness of the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates borealis; RCW) on the Savannah River Site, USA. We reformulated regression tree results in a QCA framework to examine the consistency of threshold effects on RCW fledgling production at the individual group level (n = 47). Synthesizing regression tree results with QCA revealed alternative combinations of habitat thresholds that in conjunction with group size consistently led to above-average fledgling production for 41 of 47 (88%) individual RCW groups. Importantly, QCA identified unique combinations of habitat thresholds and group size related to above-average fledgling production that were not retained in the regression tree model due to small sample sizes. Synthesizing a small habitat-fitness dataset using QCA provided a tractable method to identify unique combinations of habitat and group size conditions that are consistently important to individual fitness, but may not be detected by meta-analyses that can be biased by small sample sizes. QCA offers a viable approach for synthesis of habitat-fitness relationships and can be extended to address many complex issues in endangered species recovery when correlative meta-analyses are not possible.}, journal={Global Ecology and Conservation}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Garabedian, James E. and Peterson, M. Nils and Moorman, Christopher E. and Kilgo, John C.}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={e00553} }
 @article{szczytko_stevenson_peterson_nietfeld_strnad_2018, title={Development and validation of the environmental literacy instrument for adolescents}, volume={25}, ISSN={1350-4622 1469-5871}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2018.1487035}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2018.1487035}, abstractNote={Abstract Environmental education (EE) practitioners struggle to consistently and rigorously evaluate their programs, particularly when little time is available for evaluation. Since environmental literacy (EL) is the goal of environmental education, a very short EL instrument – amenable to use when longer tests are not practical for practitioners – would address an important EE need. We describe the development and validation of the Environmental Literacy Instrument for Adolescents (ELI-A) that is short enough for use in field applications (i.e. 5–15 min) and measures four domains of environmental literacy (ecological knowledge, hope, cognitive skills, behaviour). Factor analysis, item response theory, and concurrent validity tests were used in the validation process. Structural equation modelling supported the fit between the ELI-A and prevailing EL frameworks. The results support a valid and reliable instrument that is short enough for practical use but comprehensive in measuring four primary components of EL. This instrument could help fulfil the call to evaluate EE programming in both formal and informal settings.}, number={2}, journal={Environmental Education Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Szczytko, Rachel and Stevenson, Kathryn and Peterson, M. Nils and Nietfeld, John and Strnad, Renee L.}, year={2018}, month={Jun}, pages={193–210} }
 @article{garabedian_moorman_peterson_kilgo_2018, title={Evaluating interactions between space-use sharing and defence under increasing density conditions for the group-territorial Red-cockaded Woodpecker Leuconotopicus borealis}, volume={160}, ISSN={["1474-919X"]}, DOI={10.1111/ibi.12576}, abstractNote={Information about how bird species respond to increasing density conditions through either space‐use sharing or increased territoriality, and how those changes affect fitness, is essential for effective conservation planning. We used a case study of endangered Red‐cockaded Woodpeckers Leuconotopicus borealis (RCW) to address these questions. We documented over 36 000 locations from 44 RCW groups in three density conditions on two sites in South Carolina, USA, between April 2013 and March 2015. The frequency of neighbouring group interactions differed among density conditions and was highest for high‐density groups. RCW home‐ranges and core‐areas were larger under low‐density conditions ( = 88.4 ha,  = 21.0 ha) than under medium ( = 68.29 ha,  = 16.6 ha) and high‐density ( = 76.3 ha,  = 18.6 ha) conditions. Neighbouring RCWs maintained overlapping home‐ranges with nearly exclusive core‐areas across density conditions, but overlap tended to increase as neighbouring group density increased. Under high‐density conditions, home‐range overlap correlated inversely with clutch size (β ± se = −0.19 ± 0.09), nestling production (β ± se = −0.37 ± 0.09) and fledgling production (β ± se = −0.34 ± 0.08). Our results indicate that RCWs dedicate more effort to territorial defence under high‐density conditions, potentially at the expense of greater foraging efficiency and time allocated to reproduction, as evidenced by reduced fitness. Large home‐range overlap indicated limited territoriality farther away from cavity trees, but the existence of exclusive core‐areas suggests that RCW groups defend habitat closer to cavity trees. Thiessen partitions used to allocate critical foraging habitat offered comprehensive habitat protection for RCW but appear flawed for spatially explicit habitat assessments because they do not accurately delineate space used by individual RCW groups.}, number={4}, journal={IBIS}, author={Garabedian, James E. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Peterson, M. Nils and Kilgo, John C.}, year={2018}, month={Oct}, pages={816–831} }
 @article{foster_peterson_cubbage_mcmahon_2019, title={Evaluating natural resource planning for longleaf pine ecosystems in the Southeast United States}, volume={100}, ISSN={1389-9341}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.FORPOL.2018.11.008}, DOI={10.1016/J.FORPOL.2018.11.008}, abstractNote={Natural resource plans play a critical role in guiding the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. However, little is known about the quality of management plans. In this study, we evaluated and compared the quality of 35 management plans from federal, state, and nongovernment groups managing longleaf pine ecosystems in the Southeast United States. We developed a plan evaluation tool consisted of five components: (1) Problem and Objective Statement, (2) Fact Base, (3) Actions and Implementation, (4) Integration with Other Plans, and (5) Stakeholder Participation, to examine to what extent plans incorporated planning best practices. We tested a hypothetical model for understanding the relationship among plan components, and our results suggested stakeholder participation predicted clear problem statements, better integration with other plans, and better actions and implementation protocols. The Fact Base component scored highest across most plans while the Actions and Implementation component scored lowest. Newer plans scored modestly higher than older plans, suggesting agencies may be learning to develop better plans over time and indicating older plans should be prioritized for revision. Plans from federal and state agencies scored higher than plans from nongovernmental organizations. Our findings suggest planners should consider incorporating more stakeholder participation, which was positively related to better actions and implementation and improved problem and objective statements.}, journal={Forest Policy and Economics}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Foster, Michaela and Peterson, M. Nils and Cubbage, Frederick and McMahon, Gerard}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={142–153} }
 @article{serenari_peterson_2018, title={Evaluating the Cultural Fit of Hunting and Angling Among Minority Sportspersons in North Carolina}, volume={44}, ISSN={0149-0400 1521-0588}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2018.1458262}, DOI={10.1080/01490400.2018.1458262}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Culture defines leisure-specific behaviors, relationships, institutions, identities, and understandings of reality, but culture's role in U.S. hunting and fishing is poorly understood among diverse groups. We measure the cultural fit of hunting and angling and examine statistical differences among five culturally diverse groups of North Carolina hunters and anglers (n = 1,048). Cultural fit scores for hunters were highest among White and Native American respondents. These hunters had long family traditions and role models. Fishing was a better fit than hunting among Hispanics and African Americans. Asians’ scores were low for both activities. Our findings suggest a need to engage the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States (Asians and Hispanics) and to do so on their own terms, with forms of hunting and fishing tailored to unique subcultures. Specifically, sportsperson recruitment efforts with minority groups may benefit from less focus on heritage and more on building a community.}, number={1}, journal={Leisure Sciences}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Serenari, Christopher and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2018}, month={May}, pages={1–14} }
 @article{chen_zhang_peterson_song_2018, title={Feedback effect of crop raiding in payments for ecosystem services}, volume={48}, ISSN={0044-7447 1654-7209}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S13280-018-1105-0}, DOI={10.1007/S13280-018-1105-0}, abstractNote={Payments for ecosystem services (PES) may alter dynamics in coupled human and natural systems, producing reciprocal feedback effects on socioeconomic and environmental outcomes. As forests recover following China's two nation-wide PES programs, wildlife-related crop raiding has been increasingly affecting rural people's livelihoods. We evaluate the feedback effect of crop raiding on people's intention to convert their cropland plots into forests under different PES program scenarios in the Tianma National Nature Reserve. Increases in crop raiding, conservation payment amounts, and program duration significantly increased local people's intention to enroll their cropland plots in future PES programs. Our results suggest that a substantial portion of economic benefit from the current PES programs was offset by the feedback effect of crop raiding promoted by these programs. Therefore, such complex human-environment interactions should be incorporated into the design and evaluation of China's PES practices and other PES programs around the world.}, number={7}, journal={Ambio}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Chen, Xiaodong and Zhang, Qi and Peterson, M. Nils and Song, Conghe}, year={2018}, month={Oct}, pages={732–740} }
 @article{taillie_burnett_roberts_campos_peterson_moorman_2018, title={Interacting and non-linear avian responses to mixed-severity wildfire and time since fire}, volume={9}, ISSN={2150-8925}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ECS2.2291}, DOI={10.1002/ECS2.2291}, abstractNote={AbstractNon‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire may help explain how pyrodiversity promotes biodiversity in fire‐adapted systems. We built on previous research on avian responses to fire by investigating how complex effects of burn severity and time since fire influenced avian community composition across the northern Sierra Nevada, California. We conducted avian point counts from 2009 to 2015 in 10 fires that burned between 2000 and 2014, resulting in a chronosequence of 1–15 yr post‐fire. We estimated the effects of burn severity, time since fire, non‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire, pre‐fire forest conditions, and several physiographic parameters on the density of 44 breeding bird species using hierarchical distance sampling models. In addition, we fit separate models to observations of each species in unburned forest to compare species’ densities between burned and unburned forests. At least one of the non‐linear or interaction fire effects was significant for 27 (61%) of the 44 bird species. The quadratic effect of time since fire was an important predictor of post‐fire densities of 20 species, illustrating the dynamic nature of this post‐wildfire avian community. Greater maximum densities were estimated at some combination of burn severity and time since fire than in unburned forest for 13 of the 44 (30%) species, only one of which reached maximum density following low‐severity fire. In contrast, all of the 12 species that were more abundant in unburned forest reached maximum post‐fire densities in fires that burned at low severity. Results from the study suggest that consideration of the non‐linear and interacting effects of fire severity and time since fire is important to fully understanding post‐wildfire responses for a majority of birds. Moreover, the study supports a growing body of literature that indicates mixed‐severity fire is essential for conserving avian diversity in many fire‐maintained systems.}, number={6}, journal={Ecosphere}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Taillie, Paul J. and Burnett, Ryan D. and Roberts, Lance Jay and Campos, Brent R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2018}, month={Jun}, pages={e02291} }
 @article{lawson_stevenson_peterson_carrier_strnad_seekamp_2018, title={Intergenerational learning: Are children key in spurring climate action?}, volume={53}, ISSN={0959-3780}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.GLOENVCHA.2018.10.002}, DOI={10.1016/J.GLOENVCHA.2018.10.002}, abstractNote={Complex environmental problems are typically resolved after the public is no longer willing to accept their risks and demands change (i.e., Reflexive Modernization). Notable examples include responses to the ozone hole and acid deposition. In the case of climate change, however, the politicization of the issue can result in adults ignoring the risks and accepting the status quo (i.e., Anti-Reflexivity). Although strategies such as strategic framing have seen some successes, new methods are needed to engage citizens in addressing climate change impacts. We argue that child-based climate communication is an understudied but promising pathway to incite climate action among children and adults alike. Children have unique perspectives on climate change, represent an audience that is easily reached through schools, and are arguably best equipped to navigate the ideologically fraught topic of climate change with older generations in ways that inspire action. We review research to support this novel communication approach and outline best practices for programmatic implementation and associated research.}, journal={Global Environmental Change}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Lawson, Danielle F. and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Carrier, Sarah J. and Strnad, Renee and Seekamp, Erin}, year={2018}, month={Nov}, pages={204–208} }
 @article{frew_peterson_sills_moorman_bondell_fuller_howell_2018, title={Market and Nonmarket Valuation of North Carolina's Tundra Swans among Hunters, Wildlife Watchers, and the Public}, volume={42}, ISSN={["1938-5463"]}, DOI={10.1002/wsb.915}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTWildlife‐related tourism represents an important and growing economic sector for many rural communities and may be inadequately considered during regional planning. Providing robust estimates of wildlife values can help address this challenge. We used both market and nonmarket valuation methods to estimate the value of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) in North Carolina, USA, and compared tundra swan values among hunters, wildlife watchers, and general public. Wildlife watchers reported the greatest willingness‐to‐pay (US$35.2/wildlife watcher/yr), followed by hunters (US$30.53/hunter/yr), and residents (US$16.27/resident/yr). We used the Impact Analysis for Planning system software to estimate market values or economic activity associated with tundra swans. Tundra swan hunters spent an average of US$408.34/hunter/year. Depending on assumptions over the substitutability of tundra swan hunting, we estimate that it generates value added of between US$306,155/year and US$920,161/year for the state economy. Wildlife watchers spent an average of US$171.25/wildlife watcher/year. We estimate that this generates value added of between US$14 million/year and US$42.9 million/year for the state economy, again depending on assumptions about whether watching tundra swans would be substituted with other leisure activities in eastern North Carolina or out‐of‐state. Compared with studies of international nature tourism, we found relatively low leakage rates (i.e., loss of economic benefits outside the study region), suggesting that enhancing opportunities for hunting and wildlife‐viewing may be an effective economic development strategy for rural areas in the United States. Presenting both market and nonmarket values provides a more complete picture of the value of wildlife and may facilitate more effective management decisions; therefore, we recommend that both market and nonmarket values be considered to optimize tradeoffs between development and wildlife recreation. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={WILDLIFE SOCIETY BULLETIN}, author={Frew, Kristin N. and Peterson, M. Nils and Sills, Erin and Moorman, Christopher E. and Bondell, Howard and Fuller, Joseph C. and Howell, Douglas L.}, year={2018}, month={Sep}, pages={478–487} }
 @article{valdez_drake_burke_peterson_serenari_howell_2019, title={Predicting development preferences for fishing sites among diverse anglers}, volume={22}, ISSN={1083-8155 1573-1642}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S11252-018-0800-8}, DOI={10.1007/S11252-018-0800-8}, number={1}, journal={Urban Ecosystems}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Valdez, Rene X. and Drake, Michael D. and Burke, Conner R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Serenari, Christopher and Howell, Andrew}, year={2019}, month={Feb}, pages={127–135} }
 @article{burke_peterson_sawyer_moorman_serenari_meentemeyer_deperno_2018, title={Predicting private landowner hunting access decisions and hunter density}, volume={24}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2018.1545147}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2018.1545147}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Urbanization and shifting landowner demographics are changing how and where hunting occurs. We surveyed nonindustrial private landowners (N = 1,843) in North Carolina, USA to examine how demographics and land-use predict whether hunting occurred and hunter density. The optimal logistic regression model correctly predicted whether hunting occurred on 96% of properties. Larger properties, male property ownership, longer ownership tenure, income generation from a property, and landowners originating from rural environments were positively related to whether a property was hunted. Properties with older landowners and properties surrounded by greater housing and road density were less likely to be hunted. Hunter density declined with property size, longer ownership tenure, and the presence of a landowner or family member(s) hunting the property. In the future, increases in hunter density on small properties may facilitate wildlife management through hunting as landscapes become more urbanized.}, number={2}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Burke, Conner R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Sawyer, David T. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Serenari, Christopher and Meentemeyer, Ross K. and DePerno, Christopher S.}, year={2018}, month={Nov}, pages={99–115} }
 @article{garabedian_moorman_peterson_kilgo_2018, title={Relative importance of social factors, conspecific density, and forest structure on space use by the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker: A new consideration for habitat restoration}, volume={120}, ISSN={["1938-5129"]}, DOI={10.1650/condor-17-211.1}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Understanding how the interplay between social behaviors and habitat structure influences space use is important for conservation of birds in restored habitat. We integrated fine-grained LiDAR-derived habitat data, spatial distribution of cavity trees, and spatially explicit behavioral observations in a multi-scale model to determine the relative importance of conspecific density, intraspecific interactions, and the distribution of cavities on space use by Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) on 2 sites in South Carolina, USA. We evaluated candidate models using information theoretic methods. Top scale-specific models included effects of conspecific density and number of cavity tree starts within 200 m of Red-cockaded Woodpecker foraging locations, and effects of the number of intraspecific interactions within 400 m of Red-cockaded Woodpecker foraging locations. The top multi-scale model for 22 of 34 Red-cockaded Woodpecker groups included covariates for the number of groups within 200 m of foraging locations and LiDAR-derived habitat with moderate densities of large pines (Pinus spp.) and minimal hardwood overstory. These results indicate distribution of neighboring groups was the most important predictor of space use once a minimal set of structural habitat thresholds was reached, and that placing recruitment clusters as little as 400 m from foraging partitions of neighboring groups may promote establishment of new breeding groups in unoccupied habitat. The presence of neighboring groups likely provides cues to foraging Red-cockaded Woodpeckers that facilitate prospecting prior to juvenile dispersal and, to a lesser extent, indicates high-quality forage resources. Careful consideration of local distribution of neighboring groups in potential habitat may improve managers' ability to increase Red-cockaded Woodpecker density on restored landscapes and mitigate isolation of Red-cockaded Woodpecker groups, a problem that negatively affects fitness across the species' range.}, number={2}, journal={CONDOR}, author={Garabedian, James E. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Peterson, M. Nils and Kilgo, John C.}, year={2018}, month={May}, pages={305–318} }
 @article{peterson_von essen_hansen_peterson_2019, title={Shoot shovel and sanction yourself: Self-policing as a response to wolf poaching among Swedish hunters}, volume={48}, ISSN={0044-7447 1654-7209}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S13280-018-1072-5}, DOI={10.1007/S13280-018-1072-5}, abstractNote={Self-policing is essential for addressing wildlife-related crime where illegal activity is extremely diffuse, and limited resources are available for monitoring and enforcement. Emerging research on self-policing suggest key drivers including economics, folk traditions, and socio-political resistance. We build on this research with a case study evaluating potential drivers of self-policing illegal wolf killing among Swedish hunting teams. Swedish hunters marginally leaned toward considering illegal hunting of wolves an expression of resistance (10.30 out of a possible 17 on a resistance scale) and strongly believed outsiders had undue influence over hunting (15.79 out of a possible 21 on an influence scale). Most (73%) Swedish hunters stated they would report illegal wolf killing to authorities, but 20% stated they would handle the infractions through internal sanctions. Viewing illegal hunting of wolves as a form of political resistance, viewing wolf management as being controlled locally, and perceived prevalence of illegal wolf killing among hunting acquaintances were positive predictors of preferring internal sanctions to address illegal wolf killing over reporting the crimes. Resistance and perceived prevalence of wolf killing also predicted preferring no action to address illegal wolf killing. These results suggest that a counterpublic of marginalized ruralism may promote forms of self-policing that rely on internal censure for illegal wolf killing rather than using formal legal channels. Similarly, folk traditions within this counterpublic (e.g., perceptions of prevalence of illegal wolf killing) shape if and how internal sanctions are advocated. Re-engaging marginalized hunting groups and emphasizing the rarity of illegal wolf killing may promote wolf conservation, both in Sweden and in other democratic regimes.}, number={3}, journal={Ambio}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and von Essen, Erica and Hansen, Hans Peter and Peterson, Tarla Rai}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={230–239} }
 @article{rodriguez_peterson_cubbage_sills_bondell_2018, title={What is Private Land Stewardship? Lessons from Agricultural Opinion Leaders in North Carolina}, volume={10}, ISSN={2071-1050}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su10020297}, DOI={10.3390/su10020297}, abstractNote={The development of private land is a significant conservation concern globally. To conserve the ecosystem services associated with private lands, conservationists must understand landowner conceptions of stewardship and its role in decisions about land and natural resources. We began addressing this need with a survey of North Carolina Farm Bureau county advisory board members in North Carolina (n = 735). Nearly all respondents self-identified as stewards of the land (97%). More respondents indicated their stewardship responsibility was owed to future generations (87%) and family (77%), rather than to the community (41%) or society (26%). Respondents associated stewardship more with using natural resources wisely (78%) than leaving natural resources untouched (31%). Plans to bequeath land to relatives, the importance of soil conservation, and past participation in conservation programs were the most consistent predictors of how respondents viewed stewardship. Our results suggest that stewardship may be more effective when framed more as a benefit to family and future generations than to society and the community. Similarly, stewardship may be more effective for achieving conservation as opposed to the preservation of natural resources.}, number={2}, journal={Sustainability}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Rodriguez, Shari and Peterson, M. and Cubbage, Frederick and Sills, Erin and Bondell, Howard}, year={2018}, month={Jan}, pages={297} }
 @article{von essen_hansen_peterson_peterson_2018, title={Discourses on illegal hunting in Sweden: the meaning of silence and resistance}, volume={4}, ISSN={["2325-1042"]}, DOI={10.1080/23251042.2017.1408446}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT The first rule to poaching is that you do not talk about poaching. If you do, you do so behind a veil of anonymity, using hypotheticals or indirect reported speech that protect you from moral, cultural or legal self-incrimination. In this study of Swedish hunters talking about a phenomenon of illegal killing of protected wolves, we situate such talk in the debate between crime talk as reflecting resistance, reality or everyday venting. We identify four discourses: the discourse of silence; the complicit discourse of protecting poachers; the ‘proxy’ discourse of talking about peers; and the ‘empty’ discourse of exaggerating wolf kills as means of political resistance. Our hunters materialize these discourses both by sharing stories that we sort into respective discourses and by providing their meta-level perceptions on what they mean. Specifically we examine whether Swedish hunters’ discourses on illegal killing are (1) a means of letting off steam; (2) a reflection of reality; (3) part of a political counter-narrative against wolf conservation; or (4) a way of radicalizing peers exposed to the discourse. We conclude that illegal killing discourses simultaneously reflect reality and constitute it and that hunters’ meta-talk reveals most endorse a path-goal folk model of talk and action.}, number={3}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY}, author={Von Essen, Erica and Hansen, Hans Peter and Peterson, M. Nils and Peterson, Tarla R.}, year={2018}, pages={370–380} }
 @article{peterson_chesonis_stevenson_bondell_2017, title={Evaluating relationships between hunting and biodiversity knowledge among children}, volume={41}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/WSB.792}, DOI={10.1002/WSB.792}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTWe investigated how hunting participation and associated demographic variables relate to biodiversity knowledge among children. Past participation in hunting among elementary age children in North Carolina, USA, surveyed during 2014 was high (29%) and a positive predictor of student's ability to name native wildlife species after controlling for gender, ethnicity, and grade level. Minorities and girls had lower biodiversity knowledge scores and were less supportive of hunting. Our findings suggest children may view hunting differently than adults and that youth hunting programs, particularly those targeting very young children, may be fruitful ways to promote biodiversity knowledge. Such efforts, however, may be most valuable among minorities because Hispanic children had the lowest participation in hunting and Black children had both low participation rates and lowest biodiversity knowledge scores. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Chesonis, Tessa and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Bondell, Howard D.}, year={2017}, month={Aug}, pages={530–536} }
 @article{stevenson_king_selm_peterson_monroe_2018, title={Framing climate change communication to prompt individual and collective action among adolescents from agricultural communities}, volume={24}, ISSN={["1469-5871"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2017.1318114}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2017.1318114}, abstractNote={Abstract Climate communication research suggests strategic message framing may help build public consensus on climate change causes, risks and solutions. However, few have investigated how framing applies to adolescents. Similarly, little research has focused on agricultural audiences, who are among the most vulnerable to and least accepting of climate change. Among 950 high school agriculture students in North Carolina, we found agriculture and environment framing of climate change, but not community and health frames, elicited feelings of worry, and these together with community frames elicited hope. Further, students feeling more worry were more supportive of individual and collective action. Those accepting climate change and females had more emotive responses and higher support for all action measures, and acceptance of human causes predicted more worry and support for collective action. We find these results encouraging as agriculture teachers likely employ agriculture and environment frames when following best teaching practices.}, number={3}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION RESEARCH}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and King, Tasha L. and Selm, Kathryn R. and Peterson, M. Nils and Monroe, Martha C.}, year={2018}, pages={365–377} }
 @article{clark_cupp_phelps_peterson_stevenson_serenari_2017, title={Household Dynamics of Wildlife Value Orientations}, volume={22}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2017.1345022}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2017.1345022}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Wildlife value orientations (WVOs) shape attitudes and behavior toward wildlife. Although demographic correlates of WVOs are well established, these relationships are largely unknown among children and within family units. The only previous study addressing these topics used fathers’ perceptions as proxies for family member WVOs. We surveyed North Carolina households (n = 136) to test hypotheses regarding whether individuals can assess household WVOs and what variables shape WVOs within households. Fathers and mothers accurately assessed WVOs of their children. Membership in a household was the most important predictor of an individual’s WVOs (accounting for 37% [ρ = .37] of the variance predicted by the model). Younger age, being female, and lack of participation in hunting were associated with more protectionist WVOs. These results provide the first household level support for divergence between generations from utilitarian toward protectionist WVOs. Our results suggest that household unit may be a critical element to consider in WVO research.}, number={5}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Clark, Kalysha E. and Cupp, Katie and Phelps, Crystal L. and Peterson, M. Nils and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Serenari, Christopher}, year={2017}, month={Aug}, pages={483–491} }
 @article{valdez_peterson_stevenson_2018, title={How communication with teachers, family and friends contributes to predicting climate change behaviour among adolescents}, volume={45}, ISSN={["1469-4387"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85032206580&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1017/s0376892917000443}, abstractNote={SUMMARYEngaging adolescents is critical to encouraging future climate change adaptation and mitigation behaviours. Adolescents are typically more receptive to climate change messages than adults, but educators and communicators need research-based strategies for optimizing engagement, including information about what factors are most influential in changing behaviours. To better understand how communication with teachers, friends and family, climate change knowledge and climate change concern predict climate change behaviour, we administered a survey to a random sample of middle school students in North Carolina, USA (n= 1371). We measured climate change behaviour with a multi-item scale asking respondents about energy conservation, alternative transportation and engagement with environmental issues. We found that climate change concern and discussing climate change with family and friends predicted climate change behaviour. We also found that students from urban, high socioeconomic status schools were more likely to engage in climate change behaviour than students in urban, low socioeconomic status schools or rural schools. These results suggest that education efforts should leverage communication with family and friends in programming designed to encourage climate change behaviour. Further, efforts to promote climate change behaviour among low socioeconomic status urban and rural adolescents may be warranted, but would benefit from further investigation into the ideological, physical and knowledge-based drivers of behaviour differences documented in this study.}, number={2}, journal={ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION}, author={Valdez, Rene X. and Peterson, M. Nils and Stevenson, Kathryn T.}, year={2018}, month={Jun}, pages={183–191} }
 @article{bashari_sills_peterson_cubbage_2018, title={Hunting in Afghanistan: variation in motivations across species}, volume={52}, ISSN={0030-6053 1365-3008}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605316001174}, DOI={10.1017/S0030605316001174}, abstractNote={AbstractIllegal hunting is a widespread problem, with motivations varying across regions. We investigated the patterns and reasons for hunting in Afghanistan, where it is generally illegal but pervasive in the wake of decades of civil war. To assess motivations for hunting, firstly we conducted a systematic review of the literature, extracting information from 32 studies that discuss the relative importance of various reasons for hunting in Afghanistan; we analysed findings from these studies using the meta-analytic method of vote-counting. Secondly, using face-to-face interviews or a web-based questionnaire, we surveyed key informants in Afghanistan about the motivations identified in the literature. We obtained responses from 57 people familiar with hunting, including government officials, vendors in wildlife markets, and hunters. Findings from the meta-analysis and the survey were broadly consistent, both identifying the market for fur and other by-products as one of the most important motivations for hunting. However, much of the published literature focuses on hunting of carnivores, and emphasizes retaliation as a motivation for hunting. Key informants were more likely to cite subsistence consumption and to suggest that providing education and livelihood alternatives would reduce hunting. Our results highlight the importance of a multi-pronged policy response that recognizes variation in motivations for hunting different species.}, number={3}, journal={Oryx}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Bashari, Mujtaba and Sills, Erin and Peterson, M. Nils and Cubbage, Frederick}, year={2018}, month={Jul}, pages={526–536} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_dunn_2018, title={Leveraging natural capital to solve the shared education and conservation crisis}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1523-1739"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13039}, DOI={10.1111/cobi.13039}, abstractNote={Article impact statement: Promoting natural capital in schools mitigates educational inequalities and preserves biodiversity.}, number={2}, journal={CONSERVATION BIOLOGY}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Dunn, Robert R.}, year={2018}, month={Apr}, pages={490–492} }
 @article{shapiro_peterson_stevenson_frew_langerhans_2017, title={Wildlife species preferences differ among children in continental and island locations}, volume={44}, ISSN={0376-8929 1469-4387}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892917000133}, DOI={10.1017/S0376892917000133}, abstractNote={SUMMARYEfforts to prioritize wildlife for conservation benefit from an understanding of public preferences for particular species, yet no studies have integrated species preferences with key attributes of the conservation landscape such as whether species occur on islands (where invasive exotics are the primary extinction threat) or continents (where land use change is the primary extinction threat). In this paper, we compare wildlife species preferences among children from a continental location (North Carolina, USA, n = 433) and an island location (Andros Island, The Bahamas, n = 197). Children on the island preferred feral domesticated species and different types of taxa than mainland children, perhaps due to the strongly divergent species richness between the regions (e.g. island children showed greater preferences for invertebrates, lizards and aquatic species). Boys preferred fish, birds and lizards more than girls, whereas girls preferred mammals. The fact that island children showed strong preferences for invasive species suggests challenges for conservation efforts on islands, where controlling invasive exotic species is often of paramount importance, but can conflict with cultural preferences for these same species.}, number={4}, journal={Environmental Conservation}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Shapiro, Hannah G. and Peterson, M. Nils and Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Frew, Kristin N. and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2017}, month={Mar}, pages={389–396} }
 @article{frew_peterson_stevenson_2016, title={Are we working to save the species our children want to protect? Evaluating species attribute preferences among children}, volume={51}, ISSN={0030-6053 1365-3008}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605315001477}, DOI={10.1017/S0030605315001477}, abstractNote={AbstractAs conservation resources decline and numbers of threatened species increase, prioritizing species for conservation is increasingly important, and prioritizing based on attributes may be the most efficient approach. Despite the importance of biodiversity as a legacy to future generations, children's preferences for species attributes have never been considered. We surveyed 3rd and 5th grade students, typically 8–10 years old, in North Carolina, USA, to determine how children prioritize conservation of species based on attributes. We asked the students to rank five species attributes, allocate money to species with each attribute, and choose between each species attribute and endemism in terms of their importance for conservation. Children prioritized species that are important in nature and those whose numbers are declining over species with other attributes, whereas research suggests that adults prioritize endemic species over most other types. Our results suggest children prioritize biodiversity conservation differently from adults, and in ways that may be more conducive to biodiversity conservation in cases where endemism is not directly related to species endangerment, and we suggest the perspectives of children be considered more fully within biodiversity conservation.}, number={3}, journal={Oryx}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Frew, Kristin and Peterson, M. Nils and Stevenson, Kathryn}, year={2016}, month={May}, pages={455–463} }
 @article{rodriguez_peterson_moorman_2016, title={Does education influence wildlife friendly landscaping preferences?}, volume={20}, ISSN={1083-8155 1573-1642}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S11252-016-0609-2}, DOI={10.1007/S11252-016-0609-2}, number={2}, journal={Urban Ecosystems}, publisher={Springer Nature}, author={Rodriguez, Shari L. and Peterson, M. Nils and Moorman, Christopher J.}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={489–496} }
 @article{peterson_von essen_hansen_peterson_2016, title={Illegal fishing and hunting as resistance to neoliberal colonialism}, volume={67}, ISSN={0925-4994 1573-0751}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S10611-016-9664-0}, DOI={10.1007/S10611-016-9664-0}, number={4}, journal={Crime, Law and Social Change}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and von Essen, E. and Hansen, H. P. and Peterson, T. R.}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={401–413} }
 @article{heinen-kay_schmidt_stafford_costa_peterson_kern_langerhans_2016, title={Predicting multifarious behavioural divergence in the wild}, volume={121}, ISSN={["1095-8282"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.08.016}, abstractNote={Many animals show complex behaviours that can have important ecological and evolutionary consequences. Environmental variation can lead to divergent selection that consistently favours particular behaviours in different environments; but how predictably multiple aspects of animal behaviour diverge in response to different environmental conditions remains unclear. We tested whether populations evolving under different levels of predation risk show predictable and repeatable population-level behavioural differences in all five primary components of animal personality: aggression, sociability, boldness, activity and exploration. We formulated and tested a priori predictions of divergence for each behaviour using the adaptive radiation of Bahamas mosquitofish, Gambusia hubbsi (family Poeciliidae), inhabiting vertical water-filled caves (blue holes) where they have evolved for thousands of years in either the presence or absence of predatory fish. Mosquitofish behaviours differed consistently, and largely predictably, between predation regimes: low-predation mosquitofish showed reduced sociability and greater exploration of a novel environment compared to high-predation counterparts. However, some differences were sex dependent: only females showed greater boldness and only males displayed reduced aggressiveness in low-predation populations. Activity levels did not differ between predation regimes. All populations showed a behavioural syndrome characteristic of either proactive or reactive stress-coping styles with regard to exploration. Exploration behavioural syndromes were more similar among populations that evolved in similar predation regimes, regardless of genetic relatedness. Using laboratory-born, high-predation mosquitofish, we confirmed that exploratory behaviours have a genetic basis and show significant within-individual repeatability. Our results suggest that environmental variation, such as chronic predation risk, can lead to repeatable, and often predictable, changes in multifarious animal behaviours, and that various aspects of behaviour can diversify more or less independently of one another. Considering the ecological importance of these behaviours, the ability to forecast behavioural shifts in a rapidly changing world could serve as a valuable conservation tool.}, journal={ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR}, author={Heinen-Kay, Justa L. and Schmidt, Danielle A. and Stafford, A. Tayt and Costa, Michael T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Kern, Elizabeth M. A. and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={3–10} }
 @article{serenari_peterson_wallace_stowhas_2017, title={Private protected areas, ecotourism development and impacts on local people's well-being: a review from case studies in Southern Chile}, volume={25}, ISSN={["1747-7646"]}, DOI={10.1080/09669582.2016.1178755}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Private protected areas (PPAs) are expanding rapidly in less-industrialized nations. This paper explores cases in Los Ríos, Chile, to understand how local people living in and near three PPAs viewed impacts of tourism development on human well-being and local governance asking: (1) Why and how do governing PPA actors engage local people in conservation and ecotourism? (2) How do local people perceive the impacts of PPAs? (3) How do perceived impacts differ between PPA ownership types and contexts? We used an Opportunities, Security and Empowerment research framework derived from local definitions of well-being. Results suggest that governing PPA actors (PPA administrations and Chilean government officials) viewed local people as threats to forest conservation goals, embraced exclusion from reserve governance, but encouraged self-governance among local people through educational campaigns promoting environmental stewardship and ecotourism entrepreneurship. PPA administrations avoided emerging participatory democracy approaches to ensure local resistance did not threaten their authority. Despite asymmetrical power relations, PPA–community partnerships were viewed locally as both improving and damaging well-being. Our findings suggest that the social impacts and consequences of PPAs facilitating ecotourism development should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny that has been given to public protected areas.}, number={12}, journal={JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM}, author={Serenari, Christopher and Peterson, M. Nils and Wallace, Tim and Stowhas, Paulina}, year={2017}, pages={1792–1810} }
 @article{chen_de la rosa_peterson_zhong_lu_2016, title={Sympathy for the environment predicts green consumerism but not more important environmental behaviours related to domestic energy use}, volume={43}, ISSN={0376-8929 1469-4387}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892915000351}, DOI={10.1017/S0376892915000351}, abstractNote={SUMMARYHousehold consumption is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Some behaviours (for example energy use and vehicle use) may have far larger impacts than others (for example green consumerism of household products). Here, the driving forces of green consumerism and two domestic energy uses (electricity consumption and vehicle fuel use) are compared. This study found that environmental attitudes predicted green consumerism, but not electricity consumption or vehicle fuel use. Furthermore, green consumerism was correlated with income and individual level demographic factors, while energy consumption was primarily predicted by household size and structural constraints. Because household energy consumption has greater environmental impacts than green consumerism, policies that aim to improve pro-environmental attitudes may not be effective in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Policies should rather aim to change structural constraints influencing transportation and household energy decisions and improve the conspicuousness of household energy consumption.}, number={2}, journal={Environmental Conservation}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Chen, Xiaodong and De La Rosa, Jennifer and Peterson, M. Nils and Zhong, Ying and Lu, Chuntian}, year={2016}, month={Jan}, pages={140–147} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_bondell_2016, title={The influence of personal beliefs, friends, and family in building climate change concern among adolescents}, volume={25}, ISSN={1350-4622 1469-5871}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2016.1177712}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2016.1177712}, abstractNote={Abstract Understanding adolescent climate change concern (CCC) may be a key strategy for building a citizenry that supports climate change action, as adolescents are likely less influenced by ideological polarization than adults. Prior research shows that climate education may build concern among adolescents, but other factors such as peer pressure may also be important. We investigated the relationships between CCC, acceptance of anthropogenic global warming (AGW), perceived level of acceptance among friends and family, and frequency of discussion of the issue among 426 middle school students in North Carolina, USA, and developed a novel instrument to measure each of these constructs. Acceptance of AGW had the strongest association with CCC. Frequency of discussion with friends and family was the second strongest predictor. Perceived level of acceptance among family and friends was the third strongest predictor. Model selection results suggest family had more influence than friends in this study. Girls perceived climate change as a higher risk than boys. In addition to building acceptance of AGW, leveraging discussions with peers and especially family may help build concern for climate change among future generations.}, number={6}, journal={Environmental Education Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Bondell, Howard D.}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={832–845} }
 @article{peterson_peterson_peterson_2016, title={What makes wildlife wild? How identity may shape the public trust versus wildlife privatization debate}, volume={40}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/WSB.674}, DOI={10.1002/WSB.674}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTWildlife conservation policy discussions in the United States and Canada often revolve around historical accounts of the success of wildlife management grounded in the public trust doctrine. We suggest that the usefulness of these discussions is partially limited by failure to consider the importance of wildlife “identity” rooted in freedom (i.e., how humans socially construct the “wildness” dimension of wild animals). To demonstrate the interrelations between identity and freedom, we explain that the class of subjects people care most about—partners, children, and people in general—typically should not be privately owned (i.e., chattel) because freedom (as opposed to slavery) is generally accepted as central to human identity, and its abrogation therefore degrades human identity. The degree to which this ethical argument applies to privatization of wildlife depends upon the relationship between freedom and the identity of wildlife as perceived by society. Thus, we suggest policy decisions regarding privatization of wildlife will be more accurately deliberated if society and wildlife professionals more completely considered the degree to which freedom is essential to a wild species’ identity and the degree to which that identity is inviolable. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Peterson, Markus J. and Peterson, M. Nils and Peterson, Tarla Rai}, year={2016}, month={Jul}, pages={428–435} }
 @article{shapiro_erickson_peterson_frew_stevenson_langerhans_2016, title={Which species to conserve: evaluating children’s species-based conservation priorities}, volume={25}, ISSN={0960-3115 1572-9710}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S10531-016-1067-0}, DOI={10.1007/S10531-016-1067-0}, number={3}, journal={Biodiversity and Conservation}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Shapiro, H. G. and Erickson, K. A. and Peterson, M. Nils and Frew, K. N. and Stevenson, K. T. and Langerhans, R. B.}, year={2016}, month={Feb}, pages={539–553} }
 @article{peterson_nelson_2016, title={Why the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is Problematic for Modern Wildlife Management}, volume={22}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2016.1234009}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2016.1234009}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM) is a slippery construct, used both to explain how North American wildlife conservation developed and as a prescriptive framework. We argue both applications of the NAM are problematic. The roots of wildlife conservation in North America are more complex than those associated with the NAM, and minimizing contributions from diverse sources makes building a diverse wildlife conservation community more difficult than it would otherwise be. The NAM is not inclusive enough of diversity among wildlife species or stakeholders. Principles labeled the bedrock foundation of the NAM exist in flux and at the whim of political systems. Belief that the NAM reflects a foundation of laws more stable than the milieu of governance structures shaping wildlife management can encourage complacency among wildlife conservation advocates. Wildlife management exists in systems too complex to be beneficially defined by a terse list of principles.}, number={1}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Nelson, Michael Paul}, year={2016}, month={Sep}, pages={43–54} }
 @article{serenari_peterson_moorman_cubbage_jervis_2015, title={Application of Choice Experiments to Determine Stakeholder Preferences for Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines}, volume={34}, ISSN={1054-9811 1540-756X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2015.1007511}, DOI={10.1080/10549811.2015.1007511}, abstractNote={Biomass harvesting guidelines (BHGs) have been developed to address concerns about the sustainability of harvesting woody biomass. Assessing preferences among BHG stakeholders is important for designing operationally feasible and socially acceptable standards in different contexts. We used choice modeling to determine how foresters, loggers, and landowners perceived the relative importance of stumpage price, wildlife habitat quality, percentage of coarse woody debris (CWD) remaining, and distribution of CWD in their choices of BHG scenarios. Responses (N = 718) indicated stumpage price was nearly double the importance of wildlife habitat quality, and three times more important than debris distribution and debris remaining.}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Sustainable Forestry}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Serenari, Christopher and Peterson, M. Nils and Moorman, Christopher E. and Cubbage, Frederick and Jervis, Suzanne}, year={2015}, month={Feb}, pages={343–357} }
 @article{youth_hess_peterson_mchale_bigsby_2015, title={Demographic shifts around drinking water supply reservoirs in North Carolina, USA}, volume={21}, ISSN={1354-9839 1469-6711}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2015.1035240}, DOI={10.1080/13549839.2015.1035240}, abstractNote={Infrastructure intended to serve the public good frequently has implications for environmental justice and social sustainability. Drinking water supplies for sub/urban areas in North Carolina, USA, have regularly been secured by constructing dams to impound reservoirs. We used high-resolution, publicly available US Census data to explore whether 66 such reservoirs in North Carolina have induced demographic shifts in the communities that find themselves adjacent to the newly created lakeshores. Our principal findings include: (1) The ratio of white people to non-white people was significantly higher in communities within 0.5 miles of reservoir shorelines than in more distant communities; (2) even as North Carolina overall became less white from 1990 to 2010, the ratio of white people to non-white people within the 0.5 miles of the shoreline increased relative to the overall ratio in the State; and (3) similar, but less distinct, shifts in per capita income occurred during the period. Our results are consistent with the proposition that reservoirs have induced demographic shifts in communities adjacent to newly created lakeshores similar to the shifts associated with environmental gentrification and amenity migration, and may now be associated with perpetuating those shifts. These findings raise concerns about environmental justice and social sustainability that should be considered when planning and building infrastructure that creates environmental amenities. Where reservoirs are being planned, social costs, including the costs of demographic shifts associated with environmental gentrification or amenity migration, and disproportionate regulatory burdens, should be mitigated through innovative policy if possible.}, number={7}, journal={Local Environment}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Youth, Michael D. and Hess, George R. and Peterson, M. Nils and McHale, Melissa R. and Bigsby, Kevin M.}, year={2015}, month={Apr}, pages={827–843} }
 @article{cook_peterson_colter chitwood_palmer_deperno_gross_2015, title={Evaluating Deer Hunters’ Support for Hunting Deer with Dogs}, volume={20}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2014.997328}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2014.997328}, abstractNote={Hunting deer with dogs (dog hunting) has a long tradition in the United States but has created conflict among deer hunters. Our objectives were to determine factors predicting support for dog hunting in North Carolina. Using a 2006 survey of North Carolina deer hunters, we evaluated factors that potentially influenced support for dog hunting (e.g., geographic region, hunting method, perceptions about deer populations and hunter participation, leasing practices). Nearly half (46%) of the deer hunters (n = 5,005) believed dog hunting should be illegal. Most deer hunters who opposed dog hunting neither dog hunted nor hunted in regions where dog hunting had a strong history. Concerns among non–dog hunters mostly focused on competition for deer hunting opportunities. Our results indicate a need to promote greater awareness among the diverse hunting groups and suggest dog hunters may be important allies in efforts to acquire large contiguous tracts of hunting land.}, number={2}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Cook, Merril A. and Peterson, M. Nils and Colter Chitwood, M. and Palmer, Dain and DePerno, Christopher S. and Gross, Kevin}, year={2015}, month={Mar}, pages={174–181} }
 @article{stevenson_lashley_chitwood_peterson_moorman_2015, title={How Emotion Trumps Logic in Climate Change Risk Perception: Exploring the Affective Heuristic Among Wildlife Science Students}, volume={20}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2015.1077538}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2015.1077538}, abstractNote={Despite scientific support for the reality of climate change, public opinion remains polarized. Continued skepticism may be partially explained by lack of understanding of climate change science, and worldview and ideology, but factors contributing to risk perceptions also may differ depending on the subject of risk. This article compared how wildlife students in the eastern United States perceive climate change risk to wildlife versus humans. Left-leaning political ideology and acceptance of anthropogenic global warming predicted perceptions of climate change risks to humans. Contrastingly, scientific understanding was the most important predictor of wildlife-related risk perceptions. Students may have used an affective heuristic (i.e., emotions) in assessing climate change risks to society and a cognitive reasoning (i.e., logic and data) when considering climate change risks to wildlife, which suggests that climate change communicators should appeal to these different modes of thinking when considering risks to humans versus wildlife.}, number={6}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Chitwood, M. Colter and Peterson, M. Nils and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2015}, month={Oct}, pages={501–513} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_2015, title={How experiential service-learning affects student perceptions of education in their careers and as a wildlife management activity}, volume={39}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/WSB.594}, DOI={10.1002/WSB.594}, abstractNote={Wildlife education has long been critiqued for leaving students entering the workforce deficient in skills such as communication, public relations, and problem solving. This challenge may emerge from both curricula and instructional techniques focused on technical expertise rather than soft skills. Researchers have suggested several instructional techniques to address this challenge but have not empirically examined their effectiveness. This study examined how an environmental-education service-learning project affected undergraduate wildlife science students' perceptions of education as a possible career and how important they considered education as a wildlife management activity using a pre-posttreatment comparison between 36 wildlife students at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC, USA, during spring 2014) participating in an environmental-education service-learning project and 23 wildlife students from the same cohort who were not. In the pretest, few (10.3%) students from either group saw K–12 education as a future career, but most (98.3%) saw education as an important wildlife management activity. Most (82.0%) students also predicted they would need educator skills in their careers, but more females than males saw this as likely. The treatment was positively related to students' belief they would use teaching skills in future careers and that a career in K–12 education would be fulfilling. These results suggest that service-learning projects may be an effective tool to boost interest in education both as a career and as a wildlife management activity among future wildlife professionals regardless of gender, but that especially high interest among females could provide guidance for training and recruitment efforts attempting to mitigate the gender gap among wildlife professionals. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.}, number={4}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2015}, month={Sep}, pages={732–737} }
 @article{burnett_sills_peterson_deperno_2015, title={Impacts of the conservation education program in Serra Malagueta Natural Park, Cape Verde}, volume={22}, ISSN={1350-4622 1469-5871}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2015.1015497}, DOI={10.1080/13504622.2015.1015497}, abstractNote={Environmental and conservation education programs are commonly offered in the rapidly expanding network of protected areas in developing countries. There have been few evaluations of these programs and their impacts on participants. At Serra Malagueta Natural Park in Cape Verde, we assessed changes in environmental knowledge, opinions, and behaviors among visiting school children and a comparison group that did not visit the park. Participation in the park’s conservation education program has a positive impact on environmental knowledge after the visit. The program may also contribute to student knowledge by influencing classroom teaching in anticipation of the park visit.}, number={4}, journal={Environmental Education Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Burnett, Edmund and Sills, Erin and Peterson, M. Nils and DePerno, Christopher}, year={2015}, month={Mar}, pages={538–550} }
 @article{lee jenni_peterson_katz jameson_cubbage_2015, title={Military Perspectives on Public Relations Related to Environmental Issues}, volume={27}, ISSN={1062-726X 1532-754X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2015.1027770}, DOI={10.1080/1062726X.2015.1027770}, abstractNote={Environmental management decisions on United States military lands are becoming increasingly important. We used qualitative methods to explore military perceptions on building and maintaining relationships with their local communities related to environmental issues. Informants believed that 2-way public relations (PR) were effective ways to build, improve, and manage relationships, but practiced 1-way PR. Perceived barriers to 2-way PR included lack of public interest, leadership turnover, and security concerns, which were considered unique to military contexts. We highlight how these findings contribute to scholarship on environmental public participation and relational models of PR, and offer recommendations for improving military conservation efforts and the relationships between installations and communities.}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Public Relations Research}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Lee Jenni, Grace D. and Peterson, M. Nils and Katz Jameson, Jessica and Cubbage, Fred W.}, year={2015}, month={Aug}, pages={353–369} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_2016, title={Motivating Action through Fostering Climate Change Hope and Concern and Avoiding Despair among Adolescents}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2071-1050"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/su8010006}, DOI={10.3390/su8010006}, abstractNote={Efforts to build climate change concern seem warranted to overcome apathy and promote action. However, research suggests that these efforts can backfire by breeding despair, denial and inaction. This may be especially true among younger audiences, as despair is highest among those who view climate challenges as out of their control, and children generally have lower perceived and actual control than adults in political and personal arenas. Though many studies have documented feelings of despair and sadness among younger audiences, few have explored how climate change hope may counteract despair and encourage productive responses to climate change concern. This study examined how climate change hope, despair, and concern predict pro-environmental behavior with a quantitative survey of a random sample of middle school students in North Carolina, USA (n = 1486). We did not find an interaction between climate change hope and concern or despair, but instead found climate change hope and concern independently and positively related to behavior and despair negatively related to behavior. These results suggest that climate change concern among K-12 audiences may be an important antecedent to behavior which does not dampen the positive impacts of hope. Further, rather than mitigating the negative effects of climate change despair, hope may be an independent predecessor to behavior. Students at Title I (a measure of low socioeconomic status) schools were less likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, suggesting climate literacy efforts should target schools with lower levels of socioeconomic status specifically.}, number={1}, journal={SUSTAINABILITY}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn and Peterson, Nils}, year={2016}, month={Jan} }
 @article{chitwood_peterson_bondell_lashley_brown_deperno_2015, title={Perspectives of wildlife conservation professionals on intensive deer management}, volume={39}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/WSB.607}, DOI={10.1002/WSB.607}, abstractNote={Intensive deer management (IDM) is fundamentally changing how one of the most important game species in North America is being managed, but little is known about how wildlife conservation professionals view these changes. The IDM approach encourages privatization of deer (Odocoileus spp.) through practices including feeding, high fencing, artificial insemination and markets in deer semen, and translocation. To evaluate support for IDM practices, we surveyed 208 registrants of the 2010 Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting held in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Specifically, we evaluated support for IDM practices using state-agency wildlife biologists, private wildlife managers, and academics, and we evaluated how geographic region and employment type are related to opinions about IDM. Using Principal Components Analysis, we created 3 new scales that measured respondents’ opinions about deer management, deer husbandry, and deer hunting. We detected strong opposition to IDM among respondents, with respondents from universities having the strongest opposition, followed by state-agency employees from Texas, and private consultants from Texas (the latter having the greatest support for IDM). Our study highlights the need for critical and empirical evaluation of the articulation between IDM and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, particularly the tenets that assert wildlife are held in the public trust and advocate elimination of markets for wildlife. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.}, number={4}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Peterson, M. Nils and Bondell, Howard D. and Lashley, Marcus A. and Brown, Robert D. and Deperno, Christopher S.}, year={2015}, month={Nov}, pages={751–756} }
 @article{serenari_peterson_gale_fahlke_2015, title={Relationships Between Value Orientations and Wildlife Conservation Policy Preferences in Chilean Patagonia}, volume={20}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2015.1008113}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2015.1008113}, abstractNote={Conflicts over wildlife conservation in protected areas can occur because stakeholders hold divergent values and value orientations. In this exploratory study, differences in value orientations among visitors to Chile’s Tamango National Reserve (TNR) were examined. Questionnaires were completed by visitors (n = 97) during the Chilean summer of 2012. Respondents were grouped into strong protection (63%) and mixed protection–use (37%) value orientation groups using cluster analysis. Mixed protection–use group members were more likely to be local residents, less formally educated, less likely to pay the reserve entry fee, and less supportive of huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) conservation policies compared to the strong protection group. Most TNR visitors would support policies that protect wildlife in the reserve, and development with deleterious effects on the huemul would be viewed less favorably. It is suggested that a post-material shift and place relations moderate relationships between value orientations and Chilean wildlife conservation policy preferences.}, number={3}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Serenari, Christopher and Peterson, M. Nils and Gale, Trace and Fahlke, Annekatrin}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={271–279} }
 @article{hayes_peterson_heinen-kay_langerhans_2015, title={Tourism-related drivers of support for protection of fisheries resources on Andros Island, The Bahamas}, volume={106}, ISSN={0964-5691}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.OCECOAMAN.2015.01.007}, DOI={10.1016/J.OCECOAMAN.2015.01.007}, abstractNote={Fisheries resources in the Caribbean suffer intense pressure from overharvesting. Some of the most valuable fisheries in The Bahamas, such as queen conch (Strombus gigas), spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), and Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), are overexploited and require additional protection. Despite these pressures, we currently know very little about the factors that underlie local residents' support for such protection. We interviewed residents of Andros Island, The Bahamas to evaluate how perception of environmental impacts of tourism, perception of benefits of tourism for their quality of life, income generation from tourism, and education level influenced their willingness to support additional protection of marine resources in the face of a growing tourism industry. We found that respondents supporting additional marine resource protection tended to perceive tourism as having negative impacts on marine resources and neutral to positive effects on their family's quality of life. Attending at least some college also positively influenced support for marine resource protection, although whether residents sold natural products to tourists did not appear to influence their stance on marine resource protection. Our results suggest education in a broad sense, and particularly education highlighting how tourism can both positively affect human well-being and harm marine resources, will promote public support for marine resource protection.}, journal={Ocean & Coastal Management}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Hayes, Maureen C. and Peterson, M. Nils and Heinen-Kay, Justa L. and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2015}, month={Mar}, pages={118–123} }
 @article{peterson_2014, title={How Wildlife Management Agencies and Hunting Organizations Frame Ethical Hunting in the United States}, volume={19}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2014.928762}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2014.928762}, abstractNote={Given that many wildlife management agencies consider hunting to be central to wildlife conservation, a growing body of research describes ethical hunting using characterization framing (created by outsiders). This article describes an identity frame (created by insiders) of ethical hunting in the United States, based on analysis of hunter education manuals and official statements of hunting nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Similar themes permeated texts from both sources (e.g., obeying law, fair chase). NGOs, however, placed significantly more emphasis on being skilled (15% vs. 6%) and being motivated by experiencing nature (10% vs. 2%), whereas government agencies placed significantly more emphasis on respecting landowners (28% vs. 15%). Agencies may frame ethical hunting as more socially interdependent and rule abiding because they perceive a need to prioritize government authority (law) and property owner interests. These findings highlight a need for identity frames focusing on how hunting impacts biodiversity and humane treatment of animals.}, number={6}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2014}, month={Nov}, pages={523–531} }
 @article{sokos_peterson_birtsas_hasanagas_2014, title={Insights for contemporary hunting from ancient hellenic culture}, volume={38}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/WSB.443}, DOI={10.1002/WSB.443}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTUrbanization and other threats to hunting culture have inspired growth in research that addresses the role of hunting in western society today. This literature addresses the juxtaposition of non‐subsistence hunting and modern western models of wildlife management associated with either the public trust doctrine or market economics. Insights for understanding this juxtaposition can be drawn from the historical efforts to frame hunting as a symbolic, versus subsistence, activity in ancient Hellenic (Greek) culture. For the ancient Hellenes, hunting offered the opportunity to acquire edification, test skills, and to enjoy a feeling of freedom, and did so for all citizens, even for women. Edification meant more than knowledge about hunting to the ancient Hellenes. It referred to respect for the purity of nature and a hunting ethic, and strict adherence to hunting norms. Testing skills dictated fair chase, where tools and techniques used should not eliminate the need for physical and mental dexterity. Feeling of freedom meant that hunters became useful for themselves and for society through skills acquired by hunting; a modern society might define this as self‐sufficiency or independence, which contributes to a greater societal good. These symbolic dimensions of hunting developed in ancient Hellas could provide guidelines for the social identity that hunters hope to develop in our modern world by improving hunting education, promotion, and management. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Sokos, Christos K. and Peterson, M. Nils and Birtsas, Periklis K. and Hasanagas, Nikolas D.}, year={2014}, month={Jun}, pages={451–457} }
 @article{bradbury_peterson_liu_2014, title={Long-term dynamics of household size and their environmental implications}, volume={36}, ISSN={0199-0039 1573-7810}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S11111-014-0203-6}, DOI={10.1007/S11111-014-0203-6}, number={1}, journal={Population and Environment}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Bradbury, Mason and Peterson, M. Nils and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2014}, month={Feb}, pages={73–84} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_bondell_moore_carrier_2014, title={Overcoming skepticism with education: interacting influences of worldview and climate change knowledge on perceived climate change risk among adolescents}, volume={126}, ISSN={0165-0009 1573-1480}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S10584-014-1228-7}, DOI={10.1007/S10584-014-1228-7}, abstractNote={Though many climate literacy efforts attempt to communicate climate change as a risk, these strategies may be ineffective because among adults, worldview rather than scientific understanding largely drives climate change risk perceptions. Further, increased science literacy may polarize worldview-driven perceptions, making some climate literacy efforts ineffective among skeptics. Because worldviews are still forming in the teenage years, adolescents may represent a more receptive audience. This study examined how worldview and climate change knowledge related to acceptance of anthropogenic global warming (AGW) and in turn, climate change risk perception among middle school students in North Carolina, USA (n = 387). We found respondents with individualistic worldviews were 16.1 percentage points less likely to accept AGW than communitarian respondents at median knowledge levels, mirroring findings in similar studies among adults. The interaction between knowledge and worldview, however, was opposite from previous studies among adults, because increased climate change knowledge was positively related to acceptance of AGW among both groups, and had a stronger positive relationship among individualists. Though individualists were 24.1 percentage points less likely to accept AGW than communitarians at low levels (bottom decile) of climate change knowledge, there was no statistical difference in acceptance levels between individualists and communitarians at high levels of knowledge (top decile). Non-White and females also demonstrated higher levels of AGW acceptance and climate change risk perception, respectively. Thus, education efforts specific to climate change may counteract divisions based on worldviews among adolescents.}, number={3-4}, journal={Climatic Change}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Bondell, Howard D. and Moore, Susan E. and Carrier, Sarah J.}, year={2014}, month={Aug}, pages={293–304} }
 @article{garabedian_mcgaughey_reutebuch_parresol_kilgo_moorman_peterson_2014, title={Quantitative analysis of woodpecker habitat using high-resolution airborne LiDAR estimates of forest structure and composition}, volume={145}, ISSN={0034-4257}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.RSE.2014.01.022}, DOI={10.1016/J.RSE.2014.01.022}, abstractNote={Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology has the potential to radically alter the way researchers and managers collect data on wildlife–habitat relationships. To date, the technology has fostered several novel approaches to characterizing avian habitat, but has been limited by the lack of detailed LiDAR-habitat attributes relevant to species across a continuum of spatial grain sizes and habitat requirements. We demonstrate a novel three-step approach for using LiDAR data to evaluate habitat based on multiple habitat attributes and accounting for their influence at multiple grain sizes using federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Picoides borealis) foraging habitat data from the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA. First, we used high density LiDAR data (10 returns/m2) to predict detailed forest attributes at 20-m resolution across the entire SRS using a complementary application of nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression and multiple linear regression models. Next, we expanded on previous applications of LiDAR by constructing 95% joint prediction confidence intervals to quantify prediction error at various spatial aggregations and habitat thresholds to determine a biologically and statistically meaningful grain size. Finally, we used aggregations of 20-m cells and associated confidence interval boundaries to demonstrate a new approach to produce maps of RCW foraging habitat conditions based on the guidelines described in the species' recovery plan. Predictive power (R2) of regression models developed to populate raster layers ranged from 0.34 to 0.81, and prediction error decreased as aggregate size increased, but minimal reductions in prediction error were observed beyond 0.64-ha (4 × 4 20-m cells) aggregates. Mapping habitat quality while accounting for prediction error provided a robust method to determine the potential range of habitat conditions and specific attributes that were limiting in terms of the amount of suitable habitat. The sequential steps of our analytical approach provide a useful framework to extract detailed and reliable habitat attributes for a forest-dwelling habitat specialist, broadening the potential to apply LiDAR in conservation and management of wildlife populations.}, journal={Remote Sensing of Environment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Garabedian, James E. and McGaughey, Robert J. and Reutebuch, Stephen E. and Parresol, Bernard R. and Kilgo, John C. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2014}, month={Apr}, pages={68–80} }
 @article{stevenson_peterson_carrier_strnad_bondell_kirby-hathaway_moore_2014, title={Role of Significant Life Experiences in Building Environmental Knowledge and Behavior Among Middle School Students}, volume={45}, ISSN={0095-8964 1940-1892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2014.901935}, DOI={10.1080/00958964.2014.901935}, abstractNote={Significant life experience research suggests that the presence of role models, time outdoors, and nature-related media foster pro-environmental behavior, but most research is qualitative. Based on a random sample of middle school students in North Carolina, USA, we found limited positive associations between presence of a role model and time outdoors with behavior and a negative association between watching nature television and environmental knowledge. The strongest predictors of environmental knowledge and behavior were student/teacher ratio and county income levels, respectively. We also found that Native Americans engaged in environmental behaviors more than Caucasians, and that African American and Hispanic students had lower levels of environmental knowledge. Accordingly, life experiences appear less important than promoting small class sizes and addressing challenges associated with lower incomes in schools.}, number={3}, journal={The Journal of Environmental Education}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Stevenson, Kathryn T. and Peterson, M. Nils and Carrier, Sarah J. and Strnad, Renee L. and Bondell, Howard D. and Kirby-Hathaway, Terri and Moore, Susan E.}, year={2014}, month={May}, pages={163–177} }
 @article{von essen_hansen_nordström källström_peterson_peterson_2015, title={The radicalisation of rural resistance: How hunting counterpublics in the Nordic countries contribute to illegal hunting}, volume={39}, ISSN={0743-0167}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.JRURSTUD.2014.11.001}, DOI={10.1016/J.JRURSTUD.2014.11.001}, abstractNote={Populist hunting movements have risen in recent years to safeguard rural interests against nature conservation. In extreme cases this movement has been accompanied by the illegal hunting of protected species. Using Sweden and Finland as a case study, the article elucidates how the perceived exclusion of hunters in the public debate on conservation mobilised this subculture toward resistance against regulatory agencies. Establishment of an alternative discursive platform comprising several ruralities – counterpublic in Negt and Kluge's original term – allowed hunters to publicise oppositional needs, interests and rationalities in the debate, and was a key juncture in their radicalisation trajectory. Finally the paper argues that failure to grant recognition to the counterpublic radicalised some individuals beyond counterpublic by engaging in illegal hunting. This practice is marked by the termination of political debate with society and represents a danger to political legitimacy.}, journal={Journal of Rural Studies}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={von Essen, Erica and Hansen, Hans Peter and Nordström Källström, Helena and Peterson, M. Nils and Peterson, Tarla R.}, year={2015}, month={Jun}, pages={199–209} }
 @article{palamar_peterson_deperno_correa_2013, title={Assessing rabies knowledge and perceptions among ethnic minorities in Greensboro, North Carolina}, volume={77}, ISSN={0022-541X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/JWMG.593}, DOI={10.1002/JWMG.593}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTHuman behaviors play a fundamental role in the epidemiology of urban wildlife diseases, and those behaviors are shaped by knowledge and ethnicity. We evaluated knowledge of rabies, transmission routes, vector species, and response to rabies exposure with a bilingual (English/Spanish) in‐person survey in Greensboro, North Carolina. Ethnicity, gender, and education level were predictors of rabies knowledge. Latinos and African Americans had less rabies knowledge than non‐Latino Whites. Non‐Latino Whites and men had less knowledge than women. Only 41% of African American respondents identified animal bites as a route of rabies transmission to humans, and less than half of all respondents knew that washing a bite wound with soap and water was useful rabies prevention. Our knowledge scale was internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.73) and could be valuable for future studies of zoonotic disease knowledge. Future rabies educational campaigns should focus on developing culturally sensitive, language appropriate educational materials geared to minorities. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.}, number={7}, journal={The Journal of Wildlife Management}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Palamar, Maria Baron and Peterson, M. Nils and Deperno, Christopher S. and Correa, Maria T.}, year={2013}, month={Aug}, pages={1321–1326} }
 @article{heinen_coco_marcuard_white_peterson_martin_langerhans_2013, title={Environmental drivers of demographics, habitat use, and behavior during a post-Pleistocene radiation of Bahamas mosquitofish (Gambusia hubbsi)}, volume={27}, ISSN={0269-7653 1573-8477}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S10682-012-9627-6}, DOI={10.1007/S10682-012-9627-6}, number={5}, journal={Evolutionary Ecology}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Heinen, Justa L. and Coco, Matthew W. and Marcuard, Maurice S. and White, Danielle N. and Peterson, M. Nils and Martin, Ryan A. and Langerhans, R. Brian}, year={2013}, month={Jan}, pages={971–991} }
 @article{peterson_peterson_peterson_leong_2013, title={Why transforming biodiversity conservation conflict is essential and how to begin.}, volume={19}, ISSN={1038-2097}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PC130094}, DOI={10.1071/PC130094}, abstractNote={Conserving biodiversity requires productive management of conflict. Currently, wildlife are often portrayed as conscious human
antagonists, which must be fought. We suggest using the ‘comic corrective’ to experiment with ways to reframe human–human conflicts
over wildlife management and wildlife damage. This requires a deep commitment to change, often made more palatable through humour.
This effort to fight the use of the term human–wildlife conflict should not be interpreted as a call to reject human–human conflict as a
useful conservation tool. Conservationists, who value wildlife, often misleadingly suggest that conservation can sidestep irreducible
value differences and political processes that see proponents of different views as antagonists. Because democracies cannot function
without dissent, we suggest that conservation biologists should embrace stakeholder conflicts over wildlife conservation as a way to
improve decision making. In particular, we should challenge the view that wildlife are willfully antagonistic to people while recognizing
conflict among humans over how biodiversity conservation should occur.}, number={2}, journal={Pacific Conservation Biology}, publisher={CSIRO Publishing}, author={Peterson, M Nils and Peterson, Markus J and Peterson, Tarla Rai and Leong, Kirsten}, year={2013}, pages={94} }
 @article{hansen_peterson_jensen_2012, title={Demographic transition among hunters: a temporal analysis of hunter recruitment dedication and motives in Denmark}, volume={39}, ISSN={1035-3712}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR12028}, DOI={10.1071/WR12028}, abstractNote={

Context
In many countries, hunting has emerged as a major source of funding for wildlife conservation and research or habitat acquisition. In some countries, recent declines in recruitment of hunters have generated concerns about the consequences of the rapid demographic change within society in general, and among hunters in particular. Gaining a better understanding of how these demographic changes influence dedication to and motivation for hunting has therefore become an important task.

Aims
Our aims included documenting the demographic transition among Danish hunters, and identifying correlates of hunter recruitment age, motivations and dedication.

Methods
We addressed these aims using a national survey of Danish hunters in 2000 (n = 1186) and 2006 (n = 701). Survey data were analysed using multiple regression models.

Key results
Whereas recruitment numbers remained stable, the average age of recruitment for hunters increased from 21 to 34 between 1984 and 2006, and the percentage of new hunters younger than 20 declined from 63% to 19% during the same period. Respondents who hunted to experience nature were recruited at older ages than other hunters. Recruitment age was negatively related to number of days hunting per year and relative importance placed on hunting as a recreational activity, and positively related to being recruited by friends, female gender, being married, and having an urban childhood.

Conclusions
The global demographic transition towards an older and more urban populace may drive a change in hunter demographics rather than a decline of hunting.

Implications
The present study suggests that hunting can persist in the face of rapid demographic change. However, the study also indicates several important structural barriers for new hunters, favouring those hunters being economically most well off and leading to a decline in hunting dedication. To meet these challenges, the study suggests that modifications will be needed in hunter education programs and hunter recruitment campaigns, so as to maintain hunting as a significant positive factor within wildlife conservation.

}, number={5}, journal={Wildlife Research}, publisher={CSIRO Publishing}, author={Hansen, Hans Peter and Peterson, M. Nils and Jensen, Charlotte}, year={2012}, pages={446} }
 @article{dalrymple_peterson_cobb_sills_bondell_dalrymple_2012, title={Estimating public willingness to fund nongame conservation through state tax initiatives}, volume={36}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wsb.164}, DOI={10.1002/wsb.164}, abstractNote={AbstractNongame conservation is insufficiently funded at local, national, and global levels. Despite campaigns and reforms over the past 30 years in the United States, adequate and consistent federal funding has failed to materialize and shifted the focus to state‐level initiatives. We surveyed North Carolina residents during April–May 2010, to assess public willingness to fund nongame conservation, preferred nongame conservation funding mechanisms, and key predictors of support for nongame funding. We estimated a model of willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) using interval‐censored data modeling and compared models using the Akaike Information Criterion. The mean WTP was US$98.80/year/household when respondents were allowed to choose their own tax vehicle, thus removing any payment vehicle bias; an additional sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment was the most preferred funding mechanism. In a follow‐up question, respondents indicated a mean WTP of US$32.92/employed adult (equivalent to about $65/household) annually via a flat income tax. The importance of nongame conservation to respondents, frequency of watching and/or enjoying wildlife, and education were positively related to WTP, whereas age was negatively related to WTP. Prisons were the most popular source from which to reallocate funds to nongame conservation (48%), and respondents believed an average of US$545,000 should be reallocated. Our findings suggested that while the general public indicated that they valued nongame conservation and were amenable to tax increases or reallocations for nongame conservation, they believed that taxes should be user‐based and specialized (e.g., outdoor equipment taxes). These findings highlighted public WTP for nongame conservation even during an economic recession. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Dalrymple, C. Jane and Peterson, M. Nils and Cobb, David T. and Sills, Erin O. and Bondell, Howard D. and Dalrymple, D. Joseph}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={483–491} }
 @article{golden_peterson_deperno_bardon_moorman_2012, title={Factors shaping private landowner engagement in wildlife management}, volume={37}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wsb.235}, DOI={10.1002/wsb.235}, abstractNote={AbstractThe changing demographics of rural landowners have the potential to affect wildlife management on private land and therefore, there is a need to determine what factors influence landowner participation in wildlife management. We surveyed 1,368 North Carolina, USA, private landowners to determine socio‐demographic factors predicting participation in a variety of wildlife management practices. Wildlife management practices most commonly implemented by landowners were providing supplemental feed (21.8%), mowing to improve habitat (16.2%), erecting nesting boxes (14.7%), and planting food plots (14.6%). Ecologically valuable management activities such as prescribed burning (2.3%) were among the least practiced. Hunting or having a family member that hunted was the most consistent predictor of participation in wildlife management practices. Landowners who hunted, resided on their property, were younger and were male were more likely to implement wildlife management practices than their counterparts. Resident landowners, especially those who hunt, may be the most receptive to outreach efforts promoting wildlife habitat management on private lands. Our results indicate outreach efforts should target habitat management practices with longer term wildlife benefits (e.g., prescribed fire, controlling invasive plants), because practices with immediate short‐term benefits (e.g., food plots, supplemental feeding, mowing) are currently 3–4 times more prevalent. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.}, number={1}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Golden, Katherine E. and Peterson, M. Nils and DePerno, Christopher S. and Bardon, Robert E. and Moorman, Christopher E.}, year={2012}, month={Dec}, pages={94–100} }
 @article{chen_peterson_hull_lu_hong_liu_2012, title={How Perceived Exposure to Environmental Harm Influences Environmental Behavior in Urban China}, volume={42}, ISSN={0044-7447 1654-7209}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S13280-012-0335-9}, DOI={10.1007/S13280-012-0335-9}, abstractNote={Rapid environmental degradation in China makes understanding how perceived exposure to environmental harm influences environmental attitudes and participation in pro-environmental behaviors among the Chinese people crucial. We used a nation-wide survey dataset in urban China to test two hypotheses: experiencing environmental harm directly affects environmental behavior; environmental attitudes mediate the relationship between experiencing environmental harm and environmental behavior. We found respondents who experienced environmental harm had more pro-environmental attitudes. Experiencing environmental harm positively influenced pro-environmental behavior both directly and indirectly through the mediation of pro-environmental attitudes. Among the pro-environmental behaviors, environmental litigation was most strongly related with exposure to environmental harm. Our results suggest that more participation in pro-environmental behaviors may be expected as rapid economic development increases public exposure to environmental harm in urban China.}, number={1}, journal={AMBIO}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Chen, Xiaodong and Peterson, M. Nils and Hull, Vanessa and Lu, Chuntian and Hong, Dayong and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={52–60} }
 @article{shellabarger_peterson_sills_2012, title={How conservation and humanitarian groups respond to production of border security on the Arizona–Sonora border}, volume={17}, ISSN={1354-9839 1469-6711}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2012.678311}, DOI={10.1080/13549839.2012.678311}, abstractNote={US policies for securing the border with Mexico are driven by multiple political concerns, including the desire to control illegal trade and immigration in a way that conveys “border security” to a national audience. Highly visible border enforcement near urban centres and via the border fence has pushed migrants into far less visible and remote wilderness areas, driving both ecological degradation and a humanitarian crisis. This study employed ethnographic methods to explore how natural resource agency employees and humanitarian volunteers in Altar Valley Arizona perceived and responded to the production of border security. We found that both groups recognised human rights and environmental concerns, although they assigned different priorities and addressed them through conflicting means. As in other cases where consumers are separated from production practices, there was a general consensus among informants that it was important to raise the consciousness of the national audience about the negative externalities of producing border security.}, number={4}, journal={Local Environment}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Shellabarger, Rachel and Peterson, Markus Nils and Sills, Erin}, year={2012}, month={Apr}, pages={481–493} }
 @article{nelson_mchale_peterson_2012, title={Influences of landscape and lifestyle on home energy consumption}, volume={15}, ISSN={1083-8155 1573-1642}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S11252-012-0246-3}, DOI={10.1007/S11252-012-0246-3}, number={4}, journal={Urban Ecosystems}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Nelson, Cara and McHale, Melissa R. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={773–793} }
 @article{allen_moorman_peterson_hess_moore_2012, title={Overcoming socio-economic barriers to conservation subdivisions: A case-study of four successful communities}, volume={106}, ISSN={0169-2046}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.03.012}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.03.012}, abstractNote={Conservation subdivisions have emerged as an option to conserve open space, protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and maintain scenic views without compromising property rights. Despite economic and ecological advantages over traditional subdivisions, conservation subdivisions remain rare. We used a mixed-method study combining a survey of 246 people who attended conservation subdivision workshops with a qualitative case study of four communities that successfully developed conservation subdivisions to identify potential barriers to conservation subdivisions and strategies to overcome those barriers. A principal component analysis based on survey respondent rankings grouped barriers into: resistance to change among stakeholders, concerns about differences between traditional subdivisions and conservation subdivisions, concerns about consumer demand, and misperceptions about construction costs. Survey respondents indicated the top barrier to completion of conservation subdivisions was lack of incentives for developers. The case study communities overcame resistance from developers and landowners through educational efforts including informal meetings, charrettes, and workshops focusing on the environmental and economic benefits of conservation subdivisions. The communities had support from elected officials, and planning staff devoted necessary resources to rewrite ordinances, review sketch plans, and perform site visits. To overcome barriers to conservation subdivisions, communities could provide incentives including density bonuses and expedited approval processes. Encouraging participation in workshops and design charrettes for proposed developments may alleviate concerns of landowners who perceive a loss of property rights from new regulations and aid in the acceptance of conservation subdivisions.}, number={3}, journal={Landscape and Urban Planning}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Allen, Stephen C. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Peterson, M. Nils and Hess, George R. and Moore, Susan E.}, year={2012}, month={Jun}, pages={244–252} }
 @article{peterson_thurmond_mchale_rodriguez_bondell_cook_2012, title={Predicting native plant landscaping preferences in urban areas}, volume={5}, ISSN={2210-6707}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2012.05.007}, DOI={10.1016/j.scs.2012.05.007}, abstractNote={The rapidly growing physical footprint of cities makes understanding residential landscaping preferences increasingly important for water quality, biodiversity conservation, and addressing climate change. In this paper we answer four interrelated questions about residential landscaping preferences with a case study in Raleigh, NC: (1) How are residents’ landscaping preferences influenced by what residents believe their neighbors prefer? (2) Do residents accurately assess their neighbors’ landscaping preferences? (3) How does ethnicity influence landscaping preferences? and (4) Do the socio-demographic and neighborhood norm based correlates of landscaping preferences persist when both are accounted for in multivariate models? Respondents (n = 179) in this study preferred a 50% native plant garden design over 100% turf grass or the 75% and 100% native plant garden designs, and inaccurately assumed that their neighbors preferred turf over the native plant garden based landscaping designs. These results suggest that correcting erroneous assumptions about neighborhood preferences may alleviate normative pressure against adopting alternatives to turf grass landscaping. Although landscaping choices were best predicted by what residents perceived their neighbors preferred, ethnicity, income, and home ownership were also related to landscape preferences. African American ethnicity and income were positively related to preference for turf grass coverage. Environmental justice concerns linked to urban vegetation should be considered in light of the finding that African Americans appeared to prefer turf grass dominated landscaping. Results from this study indicate that middle income neighborhoods with high levels of home ownership may prove most receptive to initiatives aimed at increasing the use of more sustainable landscaping.}, journal={Sustainable Cities and Society}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Thurmond, Brandi and Mchale, Melissa and Rodriguez, Shari and Bondell, Howard D. and Cook, Merril}, year={2012}, month={Dec}, pages={70–76} }
 @article{allen_moorman_peterson_hess_moore_2013, title={Predicting success incorporating conservation subdivisions into land use planning}, volume={33}, ISSN={0264-8377}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.12.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.12.001}, abstractNote={Conservation subdivisions have emerged as a development option for communities wishing to conserve important ecological features and maintain rural character without decreasing housing density. Yet, these alternatives to conventional subdivisions rarely are used. We used logistic regression models to identify variables that predict county level success at adopting an ordinance and having a conservation subdivision built. Important predictors for adopting ordinances were median income, percent urban population, and a negative interaction between the two variables; important predictors for successfully completing a conservation subdivision were the adoption of an ordinance allowing conservation subdivisions and percent of residents with at least a four year college degree. Urban counties and the rural counties with higher median income were most successful adopting ordinances. Urban counties with higher education levels and an ordinance in place were most likely to have a conservation subdivision built within them. In poor rural counties, implementation may be more difficult because of limited resources to develop ordinances; these counties could collaborate with land trusts, other planning departments, or a regional council of governments to help lessen the financial burden associated with rewriting ordinances and implementing new land use practices.}, journal={Land Use Policy}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Allen, Stephen and Moorman, Christopher and Peterson, M. Nils and Hess, George and Moore, Susan}, year={2013}, month={Jul}, pages={31–35} }
 @article{rodriguez_peterson_cubbage_sills_bondell_2012, title={Private landowner interest in market-based incentive programs for endangered species habitat conservation}, volume={36}, ISSN={1938-5463}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wsb.159}, DOI={10.1002/wsb.159}, abstractNote={AbstractMore than 75% of endangered species in the United States rely on private lands for habitat. Although this habitat has long been regulated under the Endangered Species Act, there is now broad agreement that economic incentives are also needed for effective protection on private land. Many different mechanisms for incentive programs have been proposed and tested. For example, recovery credit systems use term‐duration market‐based contracts to engage landowners in endangered species conservation. We examined how market‐mechanism design influences interest in endangered species habitat conservation using a survey of North Carolina Farm Bureau county advisory board members in 93 of the 100 North Carolina counties (n = 735) in 2009. Respondents preferred contracts (57% were interested) over easements (39% were interested). Endangered species conservation ranked low in importance relative to other conservation issues, but 45% of respondents were interested in contracts to conserve endangered species habitat on their property. The preferred contract duration was 10 years, and respondents preferred state‐ and agricultural‐related organizations over federal and wildlife conservation‐related organizations for managing contracts. Younger respondents, respondents who had previously participated in conservation programs, respondents who perceived endangered species conservation as important, and respondents who had lower property‐rights orientation scores, were most likely to be interested in contracts to restore and maintain endangered species habitat on their lands. Our results suggest that market mechanisms could drive down costs and drive up durations for endangered species habitat conservation contracts. Further, term contracts may prove critical for endangered species conservation efforts that require high levels of landowner support and spatial flexibility within relatively short‐time frames. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={Wildlife Society Bulletin}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Rodriguez, Shari L. and Peterson, M. Nils and Cubbage, Frederick W. and Sills, Erin O. and Bondell, Howard D.}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={469–476} }
 @article{shellabarger_peterson_sills_cubbage_2012, title={The Influence of Place Meanings on Conservation and Human Rights in the Arizona Sonora Borderlands}, volume={6}, ISSN={1752-4032 1752-4040}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2012.688059}, DOI={10.1080/17524032.2012.688059}, abstractNote={Conservation and human rights are currently threatened by direct and indirect effects of border enforcement practices on the US–Mexico border. Increased border enforcement in urban areas has pushed migrants into remote conservation areas where thousands have died. Migration, smuggling, border enforcement, and aid provisioning contribute to ecological degradation of protected areas on the border. In this study we explore the discursively created physical, social, and cultural dimensions of place among land management personnel and humanitarian aid volunteers who were attempting to address the socio-ecological crises wrought by border enforcement in the Altar Valley region of southern Arizona. Land managers described physical place as an eroding ecosystem whereas humanitarians described physical place as a fragmenting system. Land managers saw crime as the defining social process while humanitarians pointed to social injustice. Finally, land managers viewed uncertainty as the primary cultural meaning, but humanitarians described empathy as the primary cultural meaning. We describe how these differences explain counterproductive conflict between humanitarian and land management groups, how viable local conservation solutions can emerge from an understanding of place, and how challenges arise as these solutions are scaled up to regional and national level policy. We suggest that the concept of culturescape integrated with place allows for an analysis of discourse that is especially local, and can be used to understand and improve upon natural resource conflicts that stem from attachments to place.}, number={3}, journal={Environmental Communication}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Shellabarger, Rachel and Peterson, M. Nils and Sills, Erin and Cubbage, Frederick}, year={2012}, month={Jul}, pages={383–402} }
 @article{peterson_lopez_mertig_liu_2011, title={Assessing Attitudes Toward Wildlife Ownership in United States–Mexico Borderlands}, volume={24}, ISSN={0894-1920 1521-0723}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08941920903484271}, DOI={10.1080/08941920903484271}, abstractNote={Public attitudes toward wildlife ownership represent an important and poorly studied component of biodiversity conservation. We began addressing this knowledge gap by interviewing residents along 140 km of the United States side of the farthest southeastern border with Mexico (n = 402). After controlling for demographic variables, urban background (β = 0.13) and land ownership (β = −0.19) predicted attitudes regarding wildlife ownership (p < .05). Most exurban respondents considered wildlife public property (72%), and rural respondents were divided (48% considered wildlife public property). Non-Latino whites demonstrated a stronger positive correlation between land ownership and considering wildlife private property (r p = 0.81) than Latinos (r p = 0.23). These results suggest exurban immigrants will strengthen support for public ownership of wildlife in borderland contexts. The positive relationship between agricultural land ownership and thinking wildlife should be private property may weaken in borderland areas if Latinos regain agricultural land ownership.}, number={9}, journal={Society & Natural Resources}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Lopez, Angelica and Mertig, Angela G. and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2011}, month={Sep}, pages={962–971} }
 @article{chitwood_peterson_deperno_2011, title={Assessing Dog Hunter Identity in Coastal North Carolina}, volume={16}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2011.551448}, DOI={10.1080/10871209.2011.551448}, abstractNote={As wildlife managers grapple with restrictions or bans on pursuing white-tailed deer and black bear with dogs (i.e., dog hunting), it is crucial that researchers and managers understand how dog hunting contributes to identity in rural communities. We addressed this need with a case study in coastal North Carolina. We conducted 78 informant-directed, open-ended interviews and analyzed data using the theory of narrated identity. Dog hunting defined relationships with family, friends, and nature, was used to integrate others into the community, to cope with major life events, and to distinguish between the dog hunting community and others. Our results indicate dog hunting helps define identity for some rural communities. The vulnerability expressed within dog hunter identity suggests an opportunity to regulate dog hunting in ways that promote broad-based social legitimacy for the activity.}, number={2}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Chitwood, M. Colter and Peterson, M. Nils and Deperno, Christopher S.}, year={2011}, month={Mar}, pages={128–141} }
 @article{chen_peterson_hull_lu_lee_hong_liu_2011, title={Effects of attitudinal and sociodemographic factors on pro-environmental behaviour in urban China}, volume={38}, ISSN={0376-8929 1469-4387}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S037689291000086X}, DOI={10.1017/S037689291000086X}, abstractNote={SUMMARYChina currently faces severe environmental challenges, and information regarding the predictors of pro-environmental behaviour in China is needed to manage them. This study addresses this need by modelling the sociodemographic and attitudinal factors predicting pro-environmental behaviour in urban China. Pro-environmental behaviour was modelled as a function of environmental attitude (measured using the new environmental paradigm) and various sociodemographic characteristics. Respondents who were employed, holding leadership positions, living in larger cities and single were more likely to participate in pro-environmental behaviour. These results accord with previous studies suggesting being female, younger, highly educated and having environmentally oriented attitudes increased the odds of participating in pro-environmental behaviour. The rapid urbanization and economic development in China may significantly impact pro-environmental behaviour in the future.}, number={1}, journal={Environmental Conservation}, publisher={Cambridge University Press (CUP)}, author={Chen, Xiaodong and Peterson, M. Nils and Hull, Vanessa and Lu, Chuntian and Lee, Graise D. and Hong, Dayong and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2011}, month={Jan}, pages={45–52} }
 @article{blackman_deperno_heiniger_krachey_moorman_peterson_2011, title={Effects of crop field characteristics on nocturnal winter use by American woodcock}, volume={76}, ISSN={0022-541X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/JWMG.254}, DOI={10.1002/JWMG.254}, abstractNote={AbstractSince the late 1960s, American woodcock (Scolopax minor) have undergone population declines because of habitat loss. Previous research suggested ridge and furrow topography in conventionally tilled soybean fields provided critical nocturnal cover as birds foraged on earthworms. However, the use of no‐till technology has increased and many fields now lack ridge and furrow topography. We assessed woodcock winter nocturnal foraging habitat use given recent changes in agricultural technology, and investigated how field treatment, earthworm abundance, and environmental variables affect the selection of nocturnal foraging sites. We counted woodcock along transects in 5 field treatments twice in each of 67 fields during December–March 2008–2009 and 72 fields during December–March 2009–2010. During both seasons, we collected earthworm and soil samples from a subset of fields of each field treatment. Woodcock densities were at least twice as high in no‐till soybean fields planted after corn and in undisked corn fields with mowed stalks than in other field treatments. No‐till soybean planted after corn and undisked corn fields contained ridge and furrow topography, whereas other crops did not, and earthworms were at least 1.5 times more abundant in no‐till soybean fields than other field treatments. Ridges and furrows in no‐till soybean fields planted after corn and undisked corn fields may provide wintering woodcock with thermal protection and concealment from predators. No‐till soybean fields planted after corn offered the additional benefit of relatively high food availability. The presence of ridge and furrow topography can be used to predict woodcock field use on the wintering grounds in agricultural areas. Farmers can provide nocturnal winter foraging sites for woodcock by delaying field disking and leaving ridge and furrow topography in crop fields. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.}, number={3}, journal={The Journal of Wildlife Management}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Blackman, Emily B. and Deperno, Christopher S. and Heiniger, Ron W. and Krachey, Matthew J. and Moorman, Christopher E. and Peterson, M. Nils}, year={2011}, month={Nov}, pages={528–533} }
 @article{perotto-baldivieso_ben wu_peterson_smeins_silvy_wayne schwertner_2011, title={Flooding-induced landscape changes along dendritic stream networks and implications for wildlife habitat}, volume={99}, ISSN={0169-2046}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.09.002}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2010.09.002}, abstractNote={Severe low frequency natural disturbances along stream networks can substantially alter urban and rural landscapes and impact habitat and population dynamics of wildlife species. In 1978, severe flooding along the North Prong of the Medina River significantly altered the habitat for the Rio Grande wild turkey and may have contributed to the decreased abundance of this species observed during recent decades in the southeastern Edwards Plateau, TX, USA. The objective of our study was to examine the changes in landscape structure caused by this flooding event and their potential impact on wild turkey habitat. Aerial photography from 1972, 1984, and 1995 was used to quantify habitat changes in riparian zones and adjacent bottomlands along the Medina River. We documented substantial reductions in habitat suitability and connectivity caused by the flooding, followed by a partial recovery over 17 years. Analysis using patch-level metrics in conjunction with class-level metrics, provided insights to the pattern and possible mechanisms of the landscape changes. Habitat along higher-order streams was most affected, reducing not only the suitable habitat locally, but also the habitat connectivity throughout the riparian network. This loss of connectivity rendered numerous habitat patches along lower-order streams unavailable to Rio Grande wild turkeys as this species depends on riparian corridors for dispersal and movement among habitat patches. Our results illustrate the critical importance of multiple-scale analysis based on hierarchical dendritic structures of river networks when assessing habitat changes and their impact on populations of terrestrial wildlife species dependent on riparian habitats in semi-arid landscapes.}, number={2}, journal={Landscape and Urban Planning}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Perotto-Baldivieso, Humberto L. and Ben Wu, X. and Peterson, Markus J. and Smeins, Fred E. and Silvy, Nova J. and Wayne Schwertner, T.}, year={2011}, month={Feb}, pages={115–122} }
 @article{hansen_peterson_peterson_2010, title={Results of the Nordic Hunting in Society Symposium}, volume={15}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871201003786067}, DOI={10.1080/10871201003786067}, abstractNote={Representatives of the major Nordic hunter’s associations (i.e., Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) met in February 2010 to identify key challenges for the future of hunting and develop a vision for how hunting would fit within society in the future. Most participants (7) represented national level hunters associations, but agricultural landowners associations (4), national wildlife management agencies (2), and researchers (5) were represented as well. We facilitated the symposium using the Critical Utopian Action Research approach and Future Creation Workshop model (Nielsen & Nielsen, 2006). Participants were asked to explore concerns and visions in the intersection of hunting and society, and propose strategies for achieving their visions. The process included plenary brainstorming, prioritization of keywords, thematic synthesis of keywords, and elaboration of themes in small groups. Participants identified five main themes among their concerns: negative public perceptions of hunting, conflicts between user groups, poor match between governance scale and management decisions, internal degradation of the hunting ethic, and problems recruiting new hunters. The group discussions focused on changing perceptions of the appropriate human role within ecosystems and wildlife management, on the role of hunting in rural socioeconomic development, on how divergent values impacted people’s acceptance of hunting, and on the democratic deficit in decisions made at national and European Union (EU) levels. The discussions of hunting ethics examined both negative changes in ethics among hunters and how these changes might create a backlash against hunting among the non-hunting public and the discussions addressing recruitment of new hunters identified challenges such as low levels of practical knowledge about hunting, economic constraints, people’s minimal contact with nature, and presentation of hunting in the media. Participants identified three main themes among their utopian visions: no bad press, opportunities for anyone to hunt, and better decision-making. The discussions of these themes focused on need for critical media as well as the need for more transparency within the hunting community and the need for the hunting community to become more proactive in forming new alliances. Also, a better understanding of the internal norms and behaviors of hunters, and society’s perspectives regarding the relationship between humans and animals was encouraged. The discussions on better hunting opportunities for everyone focused on improving relations between hunters and landowners, the need for developing better ways to distribute game meat, encouraging diversity among hunters, preventing}, number={4}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Hansen, Hans Peter and Peterson, M. Nils and Peterson, Tarla R.}, year={2010}, month={Jul}, pages={301–302} }
 @article{peterson_peterson_lopez_liu_2010, title={Views of Private-Land Stewardship among Latinos on the Texas–Tamaulipas Border}, volume={4}, ISSN={1752-4032 1752-4040}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2010.520723}, DOI={10.1080/17524032.2010.520723}, abstractNote={Successful conservation efforts require understanding predictors of private-land stewardship (PLS), its definitions, and what people feel they owe stewardship responsibility to. Various strands of research have touched on the concept, but there is little research focusing on how it is communicated and enacted among the lay public, especially among Latinos. We used a case study in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas to address this gap by identifying and assessing Latino views of PLS. Our results indicate positive relationships between self-identification as a land steward, male gender, and agricultural-land ownership. Respondents associated PLS with property maintenance (60%), natural-resource conservation (14%), and addressing pollution problems (21%). They viewed PLS as a responsibility owed to family rather than to a larger community.}, number={4}, journal={Environmental Communication}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Peterson, Tarla Rai and Lopez, Angelica and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2010}, month={Dec}, pages={406–421} }
 @article{peterson_hull_mertig_liu_2008, title={Evaluating Household-Level Relationships between Environmental Views and Outdoor Recreation: The Teton Valley Case}, volume={30}, ISSN={0149-0400 1521-0588}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01490400802165073}, DOI={10.1080/01490400802165073}, abstractNote={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.}, number={4}, journal={Leisure Sciences}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Hull, Vanessa and Mertig, Angela G. and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2008}, month={Jul}, pages={293–305} }
 @article{nils peterson_sternberg_lopez_liu_2008, title={Ocelot Awareness among Latinos on the Texas and Tamaulipas Border}, volume={13}, ISSN={1087-1209 1533-158X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10871200802227414}, DOI={10.1080/10871200802227414}, abstractNote={Knowledge about wildlife represents a critical component of conservation. Although several variables (e.g., gender, education, length of residency) predict components of wildlife knowledge, previous research on the topic has rarely included multivariate analysis and has not focused on Latinos, the largest ethnic minority in the United States. We addressed this gap with a survey assessing the ability of residents on the Texas–Tamaulipas border to identify an ocelot. Few residents (13%, n = 402) could identify an ocelot. Males, those with higher education and income levels, longer-term residents, and residents owning rural and agricultural properties were most likely to identify ocelots correctly. These results suggest wildlife education and extension activities in borderland communities should target females, new residents, and residential property owners. Future research should address the extent these findings apply for Latino populations outside borderland contexts.}, number={5}, journal={Human Dimensions of Wildlife}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Nils Peterson, M. and Sternberg, Mitch and Lopez, Angelica and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2008}, month={Oct}, pages={339–347} }
 @article{peterson_liu_2008, title={Property rights and landscape planning in the intermountain west: The Teton Valley case}, volume={86}, ISSN={0169-2046}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.01.003}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.01.003}, abstractNote={Non-participation in landscape planning presents a formidable challenge to sustainable development. We hypothesize that even when people hold negative attitudes toward unplanned development, natural property rights values (favorable evaluations of property as an inviolable and pre-political right) prevent them from acting on their concerns. We chose an intermountain west community as a case study to evaluate our hypothesis regarding natural property rights values. All groups were equally and strongly opposed to continuation of rapid unplanned growth, but those with natural property rights values were also adamantly opposed to land use planning. We used a multiple logistic regression model to evaluate the relationship between support for landscape planning and a natural property rights values. An overall significance test of the regression equation indicated the independent variables were significantly predictive of the dependent variable (χ2 128, 8 d.f., p < 0.001) and had high (88.7%) predictive capacity. Natural property rights value was the most important predictor variable, but income was also significant. Sustainable landscape planning requires uncoupling property rights from inviolable and pre-political natural rights. Our results suggest a conversation focused on themes associated with loss of local culture, hypocrisy of building practices, and market control over development could facilitate the aforementioned uncoupling and development planning that promotes both security for land owners and public welfare.}, number={2}, journal={Landscape and Urban Planning}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Peterson, M. Nils and Liu, Jianguo}, year={2008}, month={May}, pages={126–133} }
 @article{nils peterson_peterson_rai peterson_2007, title={Environmental Communication: Why This Crisis Discipline Should Facilitate Environmental Democracy}, volume={1}, ISSN={1752-4032 1752-4040}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17524030701334292}, DOI={10.1080/17524030701334292}, abstractNote={The authors concur with Cox's claim that environmental communication (EC), like conservation biology, is a crisis discipline. Cox's proposed tenets for EC challenge the scientific norm of objectivity that has guided science for centuries, suggesting that today's environmental crisis requires us to travel a different path. The authors take Cox's essay as provocation to radically challenge magical notions of scientific objectivity. They briefly review Platonic contributions to the myth of scientific objectivity and then advocate a nondualistic perspective toward the relationship between humans and nature. They then suggest how this perspective both expands upon and diverges from Cox's vision of political and ethical engagement among EC scholars.}, number={1}, journal={Environmental Communication}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Nils Peterson, M. and Peterson, Markus J. and Rai Peterson, Tarla}, year={2007}, month={May}, pages={74–86} }