Family forest owner perceptions of wildfire and invasive pest risk: The role of interpersonally-produced risks

Societal risks associated with natural hazards are largely determined by human decision-making and risk mitigation behaviors. While much is known about individual risk perception, there is a gap in understanding interpersonal risk production (IPR), defined as the decision to prepare for an environmental threat/hazard which influences the risk faced by others. This study considers IPR for two forest-based hazards: wildfires and invasive insects. We surveyed private landowners in Colorado and Massachusetts, two states with high incidence of wildfire, and invasive insects, respectively. Results suggest that the threat of both wildfire and invasive species hazards may be less relevant to private forest owners and thus not conducive to promoting present action. Land managers and policymakers can better leverage efficacy beliefs to encourage risk reduction behaviors if they can communicate the benefit of promoting cross-boundary cooperation and inter-personally produced risks when confronting forest hazards. •Interpersonal risk production differs depending on the specific natural hazard context.•Perceived efficacy is particularly important in promoting pro-environmental action.•The threat of both wildfire and invasive species hazards may not be salient or relevant to private forest owners.•Landowner networks (social norms) may affect management decisions and increase risk mitigation confidence.