Factors Affecting Landowner Participation in Ecosystem Management: A Case Study in South-Central Missouri

The use of ecosystem management is becoming increasingly widespread and often includes both public and private land. However, little is known about how landowners perceive or respond to calls for participation in ecosystem management programs. Our study focuses on that subject. It is based on a case study of a watershed project in south-central Missouri. We administered structured, in-person interviews to a random sample of 98 landowners. Results indicated that knowledge of the EARTH Project, perceived efficacy regarding the EARTH Project, trust of the agencies involved, and perceptions of personal impacts from land-cattle management on Brush Creek are related to landowner interest in participating in EARTH Project cost-share programs. We conclude that ecosystem management will be more successful if efforts are made to educate landowners about their impacts on the ecosystem and to facilitate greater public ownership in the development and implementation of ecosystem management programs.