Landowner Concern about Wildfires and Implementation of Fuel Reduction Treatments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusha Shrestha ◽  
Robert K Grala ◽  
Stephen C Grado ◽  
Scott D Roberts ◽  
Jason S Gordon

Abstract Fuel reduction treatments implemented by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners affect wildfire hazard potential on both their tracts and surrounding lands. However, it is not clear how concerned they are about wildfire damages and what actions they are willing to take to lower wildfire hazard. This study determined the landowner concern level about wildfire damages and identified factors affecting their concern and fuel treatment implementation using seemingly unrelated and binary probit models, respectively. Approximately, 68% of landowners were concerned about property damage due to wildfires, and 45% implemented some fuel reduction treatments. The most common and least costly fuel treatment was prescribed burning ($18/acre) followed by chemical ($59/acre) and mechanical ($127/acre) treatments. Raising awareness about potential monetary losses due to wildfires, assisting landowners in preparing written forest management plans, and prioritizing areas with predominant pine cover will encourage landowner participation in hazardous fuel reduction programs and facilitate more effective wildfire mitigation. Study Implications Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners were concerned about monetary damages due to wildfires, which influenced their implementation of fuel reduction treatments. Estimates of fuel treatment cost and implementation frequency provide baseline information necessary to determine cost-effectiveness of various fuel treatments for their subsequent prioritization. Programs and policies that increase awareness among landowners about potential monetary losses due to wildfires, facilitate preparation of forest management plans with wildfire hazard mitigation prescriptions, and prioritize areas with high wildfire hazard potential are needed to increase implementation of hazardous fuel reduction treatments by NIPF landowners to reduce wildfire intensity and severity.

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 164-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terrell G. Thrift ◽  
Thomas J. Straka ◽  
Allan P. Marsinko ◽  
Jeffrey L. Baumann

Abstract This study is based on a survey of 100 South Carolina nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners who participated in the Forest Stewardship Program in 1995-1996. The purpose of the study was to determine which components in a management plan are most important to NIPF landowners. Most important are the landowners' objectives, followed by individual stand descriptions and a schedule of prescribed activities. Data are summarized by type of preparer (government, consultant, or industry) and by timber or nontimber primary management objective. South. J. Appl. For. 21(4):164-167.


1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick W. Cubbage ◽  
Thomas M. Skinner

Abstract A survey of industrial forest management assistance and leasing programs indicated that a wide range of forest management services were provided to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in Georgia. In 1983, approximately 6% of the commercial NIPF land in the state was leased by forest industry and about 1% was covered under industry management assistance programs. Forest products firms site-prepared 50,000 acres, planted about 38,000, and hand seeded about 20,000 acres of NIPF land. Costs for services seemed similar to industry averages. Leasing programs have been maintained the longest and help in managing more NIPF land, but are decreasing somewhat in area covered. Management assistance programs are generally newer and smaller in Georgia, but are increasing moderately in size.²


Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Elena C. Rubino ◽  
Nana Tian ◽  
Matthew H. Pelkki

Despite the socioeconomic and ecological significance of the 10.4 million acres of forestland owned by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners across Arkansas (approximately 58% of forestland in the state), only 5% of this land is certified through the American Tree Farm System. As such, understanding how to improve the reach and content of communications to NIPF landowners is vital for expanding certification participation and subsequent improvement of forest management in Arkansas and throughout the southern United States. To explore current and optimal communications to increase NIPF participation, we employed Berlo’s source–message–channel–receiver (SMCR, 1960) model to analyze survey data collected from Arkansas NIPF landowners regarding their familiarity with, interest in, and information sources for forest certification programs. Our results indicate that NIPF landowners have a relatively low familiarity with certification programs and a low interest in adopting a certification program regardless of personal involvement throughout the certification process, the transparency of on-sight inspections to the public, and the requirements of forest management plans. However, positive correlations were found between self-reported familiarity with certification programs and the perceived usefulness of various information sources, indicating that communications to NIPF landowners have the ability to be influential. Furthermore, the results showed that the greatest perceived benefits to landowners were improved timber growth and health, better management actions, and environmentally-friendly timber harvesting, whereas the most concerning perceived drawbacks were increased record-keeping and paperwork as well as management costs. These findings will offer actionable insights into future messaging campaigns and provide directions for new approaches of reaching NIPF landowners to increase their participation in forest certification.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn G. Arano ◽  
Tamara L. Cushing ◽  
Ian A. Munn

Abstract Detailed information about the forest management expenditures incurred by nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners over time provides a wealth of information about costs associated with forestland ownership, management practices implemented by NIPF landowners, and changes in management intensity over time. A survey of Mississippi's nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners owning 20 ac or more of forestland was conducted to determine their annual expenditures on forest management practices for the period 1995–1997. Landowners were asked how much they spent on property taxes, professional services, timber management activities, and other management activities. The resulting expenditures data were summarized in three ways: frequency of occurrence, mean expenditures per-acreowned for all respondents, and mean expenditures per-acreowned for those respondents engaged in each activity. With the exception of property taxes, most expenditures occur infrequently. Fewer than 15% of all respondents incurred expenditures for any specific activity during any survey year. Total annual expenditures for all respondents averaged $9.68/ac-owned over the study period. Across all landowners, property taxes represented the largest component of annual expenditures with planting costs and consulting forester fees ranking second and third. Mean expenditures for only those respondents engaged in each activity told a slightly different tale. Planting and consulting forester fees were the two largest expenditures, but site preparation, timber cruising, timber marking, and surveyor fees were all greater than property taxes for those engaged in these activities. South. J. Appl. For. 26(2):93–98.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omkar Joshi ◽  
Sayeed R. Mehmood

Abstract This study segments nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in Arkansas, Florida, and Virginia on the basis of their forest management objectives and their willingness to supply wood-based biomass for bioenergy. A two-step cluster analysis was used to segment NIPF landowners of all three states into three distinct groups, namely bioenergy conservationists, multiple-objective landowners, and passive landowners. The results revealed that there was notable variation among NIPF landowners in terms of their interest in wood-based bioenergy and forest management objectives. A solid majority of bioenergy conservationists (58%) were familiar with the concept of producing alternative fuels from wood. Similarly, multiple-objective landowners' willingness to supply wood-based biomass (63%) was highest among all three segments. Bioenergy-friendly conservationists and multiple-objective landowners were more likely to be receptive to outreach activities. Further, given low motivation scores for passive managers, this group of landowners would require focused outreach programs to increase their interest in bioenergy. This study suggested appropriate outreach and educational strategies to communicate with each audience segment.


1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatarao Nagubadi ◽  
Kevin T. McNamara ◽  
William L. Hoover ◽  
Walter L. Mills

AbstractThis study provides an analysis of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners' participation in forestry assistance programs. A probit model was used for data collected from a random sample of 329 Indiana landowners. The analysis revealed that total land owned, commercial reasons for ownership, government sources of information, and membership in forestry organizations influenced NIPF landowners' program participation. Age, fear of loss of property rights, and duration since the first wooded tract was acquired also influenced program participation. Location of landowners' residence on their wooded land and landowners' knowledge of and willingness to participate in a conservation easement influenced the participation in cost-share programs.


1983 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Cleaves ◽  
Jay O'Laughlin

Abstract All the major wood-based companies in Louisiana offered Management Agreement Programs (MAPs) to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in 1980. Five percent of all NIPF pinelands in Louisiana were enrolled in MAPs of the 11 companies that answered questions about the general features, extent, and possibilities for the future success of this type of program.


1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Ellen Force ◽  
Harry W. Lee

Abstract Idaho's nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners were surveyed by mail to determine their sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of the benefits received from owning forestland, use of forest management practices, harvesting plans, and use of forest management assistance. Data were reported for the entire state and also analyzed by ownership class. The sociodemographic profile of Idaho's NIPF owner is similar to that reported from other states. Major benefits of owning NIPF land were: wood for domestic use; esthetic enjoyment; and wildlife appreciation. Esthetics were more important to smaller landowners. Grazing and timber were benefits of importance to large landowners. Fifty-six percent of owners have harvested timber, varying from 35% of small holdings to 74% of large holdings. One-fourth of the owners say they will never harvest timber. Only 34% have ever sought professional forest management assistance. West. J. Appl. For. 6(2):32-36.


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyan Perera ◽  
Richard P. Vlosky ◽  
Glenn Hughes ◽  
Michael A. Dunn

Abstract Nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners own the majority of timberlands in the southern United States. As forest certification becomes more prevalent, it is important to understand the implications for NIPF landowners. This study, conducted in 2005–2006, reveals how well NIPF landowners in Louisiana and Mississippi understand forest certification, willingness to pay to become certified, and general perceptions about the certification process and implementation requirements. We surveyed 1,200 randomly selected NIPF landowners from each state that owned 10 ac or more of timberland in 2005. A total of 591 usable surveys resulted in an overall adjusted response rate of 30%. Forty percent of respondents believe certification is necessary on public lands. However, their lowest level of agreement is with the need for certification on private forestlands. Respondents believe certification in the United States is driven by environmental nongovernmental organizations rather than by demand in the marketplace. Private landowner organizations and approved professional foresters are the most trusted entities to administer and monitor certification. Results also suggest that respondents are generally not averse to having certifiers monitor their forest management activities; however, a majority are unwilling to bear the cost of certification.


2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Shockley ◽  
A.J. Martin

Abstract Forest management plans were examined for a random population of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners in eight counties in northeast Wisconsin. Implementation rates of practices (i.e., percentages of practices within each management plan that were completed, in progress, or not done), were estimated for each NIPF landowner. Only NIPF landowners participating in forest management assistance programs (Wisconsin's state forest tax law programs, or the federal Stewardship Incentive Program) were considered for the study. A total of 464 forest management plans were examined to determine numbers and types of practices prescribed, rates of implementation, and cost-sharing utilization. The results indicated that 78% of practices mandated by law within the state's tax law programs were either completed or were in progress. Other findings show that 36% of recommended practices within the state's tax law programs were either completed or were in progress. The results of the Stewardship Incentive Program study indicated that 21% of practices prescribed in those plans were either completed or were in progress. Commercial timber harvests were the most widely prescribed mandatory practices while planting prescriptions occupied the majority of recommended practices. Cost-sharing was used on 22% of mandatory tax law practices, 6.5% of recommended tax law practices, and 7% of practices in the Stewardship Incentive Program. North. J. Appl. For. 17(4):135–140.


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