| Canadians, including Nova Scotians, claim to value wildlife and support conservation (Filion et al., 1993; Sanderson et al., 2000; Beazley, 2000). However, once habitat protection is proposed, conflicts arise in terms of property rights, jobs, compensation, etc. (Boardman et al., 2000). It is necessary to obtain the cooperation of local people if wildlife conservation initiatives are to be successful. This is especially true in Nova Scotia where approximately 75% of the land is privately owned (Beazley, 2000). Three-phase, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were used to explore public values and attitudes toward wildlife and conservation in Nova Scotia. Specifically, the study explored participants' opinions about focusing conservation efforts on the needs of particular species, and whether they consider certain species as more motivating than others for protection. The goal, objectives, and methods were pre-determined and designed as part of a larger Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)-funded project (Beazley, 2000). Thirty-seven members of the public from Halifax, Avondale and Middle Musquodoboit were interviewed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
