Peer-reviewed Collaborative Habitat Management in Agricultural Landscapes: Opportunities and Barriers to Farmer Involvement in the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area

摘要

Collaborative habitat management functions at an intersection of differing priorities, which at times result in conflict, within the rural landscape. Collaborative habitat management considers stakeholder conflict as a catalyst, rather than an obstruction to improvement. The research presented here explores the beliefs and opinions toward collaboration held by stakeholders and government agents working in the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area (CWGCA). We seek to understand the barriers and opportunities available to improve the collaborative process in the CWGCA and to provide recommendations for a more effective conservation effort. This study uses a mixed-methodology began by utilizing semi- structured interviews with knowledgeable and active stakeholders of this landscape to understand the challenges associated with meaningful landowner input and the abil- ity of government agents to communicate with farmers in this landscape. The research team interviewed active stakeholders in- volved in this grassland management effort, including representatives from agencies, conservation organizations, wildlife experts, and the farm community. Interviews revealed important themes related to public participation and communication between government agents and rural landowners. Building upon the interview results, a web- based survey was then sent to over 100 government agents (county, state, and federal) that had worked in the CWGCA landscape between 2006 and 2013. The survey effort yielded a 46% response rate. Our results indicate that agencies are losing farming experience through retirement. Additionally, government agents varied in their response to questions about how to best involve local landowners while planning for and managing the landscape. These findings illustrate significant barriers to effectively managing land use in the agricultural landscape of central Wisconsin. Findings from this research provide a basis for management recommendations, such as sharing decision making with local stakeholders, broadening the range of concerns addressed by the management plan, working to create an environment of co-learning, and working on a smaller scale by selecting portions of the Greater Prairie-Chicken habitat range where landowners are more supportive of management efforts.