Exurban landowners in Wyoming: Their land management and how they are perceived by natural resource advisors.

摘要

It is indisputable that the American West is drastically changing with the increase in exurban development. Land areas that have been affected by exurban development have been extensively researched, but little attention has been given to landowners who choose to reside there. We conducted two surveys to gain a better understanding of exurban landowners. We surveyed exurban landowners owning 2–40 acres throughout Wyoming to document their demographics, values, knowledge and opinions about natural resources and private land management. We also surveyed natural resource advisors in Wyoming to determine their views of exurban landowners. We requested that advisors complete the same survey as the exurban landowners, but answer according to how they perceived exurban landowners. Most exurban landowners are of retirement age, are generally educated beyond high school, and have moved to exurbia for the rural lifestyle. Exurban landowners are both interested in and possess a desire to learn more about invasive weeds, landscaping and gardening. Natural resource advisors have a clear understanding of exurban landowner demographics and correctly predicted exurban landowners' valuation that lifestyle and open space rural life offers. Natural resource advisors were incorrect in some of their assumptions regarding exurban landowners' knowledge and opinions. Exurban landowners were more highly educated and expressed greater concern about natural resources and land management issues than predicted by natural resource advisors. Combined results from both surveys will facilitate future outreach and educational efforts to provide service to the increasing population of exurban landowners in Wyoming and should be helpful to advisors in other Western states experiencing exurban development.