Trust in Sources of Soil and Water Quality Information: Implications for Environmental Outreach and Education |
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| Authors: | Amber Saylor Mase Nicholas L Babin Linda Stalker Prokopy Kenneth D Genskow |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin — Madison, Madison, Wisconsin;2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Taylor University, Upland, Indiana;3. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana;4. Department of Urban & Regional Planning, University of Wisconsin — Madison, Madison, Wisconsin |
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| Abstract: | Public trust in organizations focused on improving environmental quality is important for increasing awareness and changing behaviors that have water quality implications. Few studies have addressed trust in soil and water quality information sources, particularly for both agricultural and nonagricultural respondents of the same watersheds. Surveys in 19 watersheds across five states in the Midwest assessed trust in, and familiarity with, soil and water quality information sources. Overall, respondents most trusted University Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, while lawn care companies, environmental groups, and land trusts were less trusted. Significant differences in trusted sources were found between watersheds, and between agricultural and nonagricultural respondents across and within watersheds. Among agricultural respondents, a clear relationship exists between familiarity and trust; as familiarity with an organization increases, so too does level of trust. This relationship is less clear‐cut for nonagricultural respondents in this region. We highlight implications of these findings for soil and water quality outreach efforts. |
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| Keywords: | watershed management water quality agriculture public participation |
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