Research project investigates PEI landowners’ willingness to protect species at risk
A research project at UPEI is investigating the willingness of private landowners on Prince Edward Island to protect species at risk on their private land. The two-year study is led by Dr. Carolyn Peach Brown, associate professor and director of environmental studies at UPEI, and is supported by the PEI Wildlife Conservation Fund.
Species at risk include plants, animals, or other organisms that are considered to be endangered, threatened, or of special concern because of sensitivity to human activities or natural events. According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), Prince Edward Island is home to five species considered to be endangered, including the little brown bat and the piping plover. An additional 17 species are listed as threatened or of special concern.
"Since most of the land on PEI is privately owned,” said Dr. Peach Brown. “It is important to understand the level of awareness of species at risk among landowners and their willingness to participate in voluntary stewardship to protect species at risk on their land.”
The initial phase of this project began in August 2015, when a student interviewed rural private landowners in Queens and Kings County. Those interviews revealed that while many landowners don’t have much knowledge about species at risk, they are interested in learning more about how to protect them on their land.
That small study is currently being followed by a large mail-out survey to more than 500 farms across the Island. Landowners are being asked to anonymously complete a short survey about the term “species at risk” or the federal Species at Risk Act. It asks if the landowner can identify a species at risk they may have seen on their land, and if they have ever managed their land in such a way as to protect a species at risk.
To better understand a landowner’s attitude to species at risk, some questions are asked about whether or not they think that species at risk should be protected and who should take responsibility for doing so. It then asks about the role of government and the role of the private land owner in protecting species at risk.
This research will provide information that could guide the development of policy and educational programs to help rural landowners learn how to manage their land to protect the habitat of species at risk. Such educational programs could be developed by either by government or an NGO.
The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to helping students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
