PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 16: Ecology Education
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Public perception of the restoration of Oak Savanna in Indiana Dunes - national lakeshore.
Ojikutu, Sherri1, Komendat, April1, Choi, Young1, 1 Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN, USA
ABSTRACT- Ecological restoration is among the top priorities of natural resource management in Northwest Indiana. Since a majority of restoration projects are publicly funded, it is important to obtain public support for these projects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the public perception of restoration projects. We surveyed 250 people who visited the West Beach in Indiana National Lakeshore between June and August of 2004. Respondents were divided into the groups based on variables such as age, income level, sex and political orientation. Our survey indicated that 79% of respondents preferred conservation over commercial or industrial development. The majority of the respondents (69%) supported spending tax dollars. Respondents over the age of 40 showed greater awareness of sand dune destruction (55%). Individuals under the age of 40 were not as aware of sand dune destruction (33%) but showed support for spending tax dollars (65%). Although all groups supported the restoration, the level of environmental awareness increased with education and income level. As ecological restoration becomes a larger part of public budgets, information such as this is critical in directing future financial support and catalyzing public action.
Key words: indiana, dunes, ecological restoration, public perception