Public Awareness and Support for Coastal Restoration Craig A. Miller Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources University of Georgia

Methods Self-administered mail survey of single- residence owner-occupied households during May-June 2006 Self-administered mail survey of single- residence owner-occupied households during May-June 2006 Stratified random sample Stratified random sample Upper Mississippi Valley states (N=1500) Upper Mississippi Valley states (N=1500) Lower Mississippi Valley states (N=1500) Lower Mississippi Valley states (N=1500) State of Mississippi (N=500) State of Mississippi (N=500) State of Louisiana (N=1000) State of Louisiana (N=1000)

Sample Strata Upper Mississippi Valley (UMV): Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri Upper Mississippi Valley (UMV): Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri Lower Mississippi Valley (LMV): Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee Lower Mississippi Valley (LMV): Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee Mississippi Mississippi Louisiana Louisiana

8-page Questionnaire Examined: Values-orientation toward environment Values-orientation toward environment Perceived importance of coastal wetlands Perceived importance of coastal wetlands Role of coastal wetlands on daily life Role of coastal wetlands on daily life Knowledge of coastal wetland restoration Knowledge of coastal wetland restoration Attitudes toward wetland protection and use Attitudes toward wetland protection and use Support for wetland restoration Support for wetland restoration

Results Response rate = 35% Response rate = 35% UMV37% (N= 513) LMV32% (N= 437) MS37% (N= 167) LA36% (N= 324) Total response valid at 95% CI, Total response valid at 95% CI, +/- 3% sampling error

Importance of Protecting Wetlands (F=25.56, p<0.001)

Importance of Reducing Coastal Wetland Loss (F=38.44, p<0.001)

Importance of Restoring Damaged Ecosystems (F=11.18, p<0.001)

Importance of Reducing the “Dead Zone” in Gulf of Mexico (F=15.07, p<0.001)

“How do the following issues concerning coastal wetlands affect you personally?”

Price of Gas and Oil? (F=8.75, p <0.001)

Provides Recreation? (F=31.04, p <0.001)

Habitat for wildlife and fisheries? (F=8.52, p <0.001)

Provides hurricane protection? (F=73.39, p <0.001)

Shipping Exports (grain, etc.)? (F=4.99, p <0.05)

“How well would you be able to explain the following concepts about wetland ecosystems to a friend?”

“Why Coastal Restoration is Done?” (F=8.46, p <0.001)

“Importance of coastal ecosystems to your everyday life?” (F=19.85, p <0.001)

“Causes of the ‘dead zone’ in Gulf of Mexico?” (F=17.83, p <0.001)

“How coastal ecosystems affect the economy where you live?” (F=37.53, p 0.001)

“In the past 12 months have you read, seen, or heard anything about coastal wetland loss in the U.S.?”

Understanding of “America’s Wetland Campaign” by Region (F=99.97, p <0.001)

“The federal government spends $50 million annually on coastal restoration. Do you think this amount is…?”

“What percentage of oil and gas revenues do you think Louisiana deserves to receive? (Current revenues = 27%)”

“New land created on private land with public funds should be…”

Conclusions There is support for wetland protection, coastal wetland restoration, and reducing coastal wetland erosion There is support for wetland protection, coastal wetland restoration, and reducing coastal wetland erosion Lack of appreciation exists regarding importance of coastal wetlands to imports, exports, economies of Mississippi Valley Lack of appreciation exists regarding importance of coastal wetlands to imports, exports, economies of Mississippi Valley Results suggest information about coastal erosion and restoration is not being provided Results suggest information about coastal erosion and restoration is not being provided

Conclusions Understanding of Gulf hypoxia is poor among public in Mississippi Valley Understanding of Gulf hypoxia is poor among public in Mississippi Valley Support for funding for restoration exists among public Support for funding for restoration exists among public More information is needed to provide informed decision-making on part of public stakeholders outside of Louisiana and remainder of coastal region More information is needed to provide informed decision-making on part of public stakeholders outside of Louisiana and remainder of coastal region

Acknowledgements With thanks to Meya Holloway Funding provided by Coastal Restoration and Enhancement through Science and Technology (CREST). Additional support was received from the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources.