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Red Tide Control & Mitigation Program, 2007-10

“Mitigation through Strategic Education and Outreach”

Grant: #07183


Welcome!

The overall goal of this study is to foster understanding and trust among stakeholders regarding alternative control and mitigation (C&M) strategies for red tide events in Florida, especially those that entail field studies or radical changes in production practices. Understanding by the public and corresponding trust in the management authority with respect to addressing red tide events is a necessary precursor to the development of effective C&M strategies. To foster the required trust and understanding of the public and stakeholder groups in the development and maintenance of red tide C&M strategies in Florida by:

  1. (1) measuring the knowledge level, perceptions, and preferences of the public (residents and tourists) regarding alternative bloom control and mitigation strategies;
  2. (2) estimating the economic value of alternative bloom control and mitigation strategies;
  3. (3) informing, engaging and educating the public and various stakeholder groups regarding bloom control and mitigation strategies and effective outreach tools; and
  4. (4) ascertaining whether the study affected the attitudes, beliefs or motivations of scientists and managers regarding the role and value of social science for coastal management decisions.

 

The interdisciplinary team is committed and vested in accomplishing this project by using their expertise in social science (Larkin; Scherer; Lampl; Bauer), biological sciences (Tester; Sengco); public policy and law (Pettit), and the development of outreach materials (Stevely; Adams). In order to address each of the four major project goals, first, the team will work collectively to assemble the draft C&M list for use in deriving "mental models" for experts, the public, and managers. Then dialogical (versus persuasive) messages will be created and incorporated into the resident and visitor survey instruments, along with contingent-valuation type questions regarding specific C&M programs. Second, the survey results will be used to estimate the value of alternative C&M programs and quantify preferences for the alternatives. Third, results will be communicated through meetings and reports. Lastly, a survey of scientists and managers will allow us to assess the impact of social science research.

To learn more about this project, which is being funded through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and activities to date, please see the menu items to the right. The list includes links to separate PDF files. If you have questions about this project, please contact the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Sherry L. Larkin by email at slarkin@ufl.edu or phone at 352/392-1845 extension 431. Or, if you would like to email the project team, send a message to: RTCM-L@lists.ufl.edu.

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