Forest conservation programs and the landowners who prefer them: Profiling family forest owners in the New York City watershed

摘要: Voluntary forest conservation programs offer family owners (FFO) financial incentives in exchange for legally-binding land use restrictions and/or management obligations. Protecting forests the Catskill Mountains region of New York is an important policy objective, as these watersheds provide clean drinking water to City. Multiple methods were used elicit preferences program attributes and identify potential barriers participation. Respondents a mailed survey grouped according attribute that most influenced their likely participation into programs. identified time-sensitive, payment value-sensitive, rights-sensitive, mode-sensitive, or harvest-sensitive. Comparing groups revealed significant differences age, attitudes towards harvesting trees, income, importance timber production. Supplemental qualitative data was collected during three focus respondents analyzed general themes. Focus group discussions lack knowledge about easement programs, reluctance burden landowners’ children with encumbered inheritances, concerns resale values tax assessment, simmering animosity City’s watershed efforts. We strategies address design will foster greater among FFOs region.