Browsing by Subject "landowners"
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Item Assessing Perceptions, Knowledge Gain, Behavioral Change, and Economic Impact Related to the Adoption of Best Management Practices by Past Participants of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Multi County New Landowners Educational Series(2014-12-12) Shackelford, Philip WDuring the past decade, there has been a tremendous influx of new landowners into South Central Texas, particularly in the four counties of Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington. This area of the state is fast becoming a destination for individuals wanting to exit the urban environments of Houston and San Antonio and live a rural lifestyle. From 2006 - 2010, over 1500 people took part in the Multi County New Landowners Educational Series, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices of Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington Counties. Individuals who participated in the course were all considered to be new land owners or land owners that had no formal education in property management or agricultural production. The course exposed them to several best management practices and to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the series on the participants as it pertained to their level of adoption of best management practices for their property, estimate an economic impact and determine the participants attitudes and perceptions of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The study consisted of an online survey sent to past participants of the series and one-on-one interviews with select participants. Findings revealed significant adoption of several best management practices, which in turn improved the overall value per acre of the participants? property. Further, their perceptions about Extension were positively enhanced as a direct result of their participation in the series.Item Understanding Participation in Wildlife Conservation Programs on Private Lands(2010-01-14) Sorice, Michael G.One major lesson derived from the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) over the past 30 years is that direct regulation is not the only nor the optimal way to protect endangered species on working lands because of an undue burden imposed on private landowners. The role of a voluntary conservation program is to rearrange incentives so that society bears the cost rather than the landowner. Employing a survey research methodology, I used theories of reasoned action and random choice to explore landowners? stated preferences for conservation programs. I found landowners? stated interest in compensation programs to be moderate at best. For those willing to consider programs involving endangered species, associating land management requirements for species conservation with direct benefits to the landowner is important, but perhaps not as important as ensuring that the program provides adequate financial incentives, consideration of the term of the program, and a level of certainty regarding the landowner?s future obligations under the ESA. Landowners are not a homogenous group. I identified two classes of landowners according to preferences for program structure. One group was highly sensitive to program structure, aside from financial incentives, while the other was likely to participate if adequately compensated with financial and technical assistance. These differences related to opinions on endangered species protection and dependence on their land for income. Voluntary incentive programs increasingly are a popular tool to maintain and enhance conservation; however, these programs are only successful insofar as landowners choose to enroll. This research demonstrates that improving recovery efforts on private lands requires program administrators to have a more complete understanding of landowners? views on endangered species and conservation programs in general, as well as their motivations for owning and operating their land. By doing so, programs with broader appeal and greater efficacy can be designed and implemented.