A Survey Analysis of Participation in a Community Forest Management in Nepal

The main objective of the study is to determine which socio-economic factors affect levels of individual participation in the “Ludi-damgade” community forest. The empirical evidence for participation as a function of social status is obtained by using an ordered probit model. The model also estimates the marginal effects of socio-economic factors on different levels of participation suggesting how per unit change in such socioeconomic characters affects the level of participation. Results from the two-stage least squares model also verify that participation in forest management determines the level of benefits received from the community forest. The study suggests that participation in common property resource management is based on the socio-economic profile of an individual and the level of participation is determined by the benefits obtained from the forest. The empirical results are expected to aid policy makers in empowering people of lower socio-economic status to understand the importance of community forest management in order to have equal distribution of benefits accrued by community forest

What Is Historic Integrity Worth to the General Public? Evidence from a Proposed Relocation of a West Virginia Agricultural Mill

While historians believe that preserving a historic building in its original location is important to maintain its historic integrity, the general publicÂ’s opinion is unknown. Survey data were gathered from local residents regarding a proposed relocation of a historic mill in rural West Virginia. Only a minority of the sample population supported preserving the mill at its original location. Willingness to pay for preservation was estimated at $8.45 for a one-time donation for the sample and$2.29 after adjusting for non-respondents using characteristics of the local population.contingent valuation, historic preservation, Tobit model, willingness to pay, Demand and Price Analysis, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Economic analyses explaining historic preservation: The impact of social and economic values.

Historic resources are important to society due to their historic, educational, tourism and community values. In order to preserve and maintain these resources for current and future generations, understanding human interactions and values are important. For that purpose, this dissertation utilizes economic tools and techniques to identify factors that influence historic values, quantifies economic values of the general public regarding historic preservation, and evaluates role of property rights in historic preservation decisions. Three essays are presented in this dissertation: essay I explores the demographic and location characteristics as factors that influence historic preservation through listing in the National Register of Historic Places; essay II estimates the economic value of historic integrity using contingent valuation methodology; and essay III employs benefit-cost analysis to address policy implications of a privately owned historic building preservation, and assesses the impact of alternate property right scenarios with additional social values. In essay I, listings of historic places in the National Register are used as indicators of historic preservation efforts in West Virginia. The objective of this essay is to examine county-level socio-economic and location factors that influence the number of listings of historic resources, and the rate of historic house listings in the National Register. Demographic variables include income, education, urban influence, unemployment rate, median age and, presence of more than one historic preservation organization as factors associated with the preservation listing. In addition, location variables such as distance from the major road networks and number of older houses in the county are also considered in the analysis. Results suggest income, urban influence in the county, presence of more than one historic organization, and number of older houses in the county has positive influences on the number and rate of historic listing. The unemployment rate in the county has a negative relationship with the number of listings and the rate of listing in the Register. There was no measured spatial correlation among counties. Essay II utilizes a case study of an agricultural mill (Reckart’s Mill) in Preston County, West Virginia and a relocation proposal to evaluate the value of historic integrity to the general public. The essay quantifies the economic value and assesses the attitude, knowledge, and demographic variables that influence such values. The total economic value of preserving the historic mill at its original location was estimated to be {dollar}91,000 on average. Willingness to pay to keep the mill at its original location was estimated at {dollar}8.45 per household among the sample and {dollar}2.29 per household when adjusted for the complete local population as a one time donation. Finally, essay III utilizes benefit-cost analysis for evaluating preservation of Reckart’s Mill at its original location under three different ownership scenarios of private, private with public support and public. The benefit-cost analysis is further developed using sensitivity analysis to investigate results at different discount rates and under base plus high levels of visitation. The results from the benefit-cost analysis show that under the base case, net present value (NPV) is always negative for any ownership. Positive NPV are found only under high levels of visitation for scenarios of private with public support and for public ownership with a high discount rate. NPV is always negative for private ownership. The economic methods employed in these studies contribute in terms of methodology and provide a decision support process for preservation of historic places and aid in historic resource management. All three papers share a common theme of how a decision to preserve historic resources is influenced by the perceived benefits and costs to the society. The benefits and costs are influenced by various demographic and location variables as well as values generated through preservation. Issues addressed in this dissertation could assist local government agencies, community leaders, non-profit organizations, and private owners to evaluate present and future preservation decisions. Specifically, the first essay can be utilized to prioritize counties in terms of preservation efforts. The second essay generates awareness regarding historic integrity in decisions to alter historic sites. Finally, the third essay examines the role of property rights in preserving privately owned historic sites. The methods and results may also be applied to the other historic resources with national and international significance

Students’ awareness, values, perceptions, and behaviors toward environmental sustainability (ES): A comparative study

The aim of the study was to examine and compare students’ awareness, knowledge, values, and perceptions of students toward environmental sustainability (ES) in general and their related behaviors that support ES at two institutions that have different social, physical, and institutional environments. A thirty-seven-item survey was developed to measure students’ basic awareness regarding sustainability, their values and perceptions, and personal behaviors. The data were gathered via the Qualtrics electronic survey method from two similar institutions, one located in West Virginia (WV) and another in Central New York (CNY), that are nonetheless drastically different in terms of sustainability initiatives and campus cultures. A total of 373 students completed the survey. The data were analyzed to examine the similarities and differences between the students’ awareness, perception, and behavior variables regarding sustainability and were compared between the two institutions. Based on these findings, the author drew inferences about the effects of institutional sustainability initiatives on behaviors, awareness, and attitudes that support sustainability issues

Social and cultural determinants of collective management of community forest in Nepal

Community forestry Common property User group Caste system Socio-economic status Level of participation

What Is Historic Integrity Worth to the General Public? Evidence from a Proposed Relocation of a West Virginia Agricultural Mill

While historians believe that preserving a historic building in its original location is important to maintain its historic integrity, the general public's opinion is unknown. Survey data were gathered from local residents regarding a proposed relocation of a historic mill in rural West Virginia. Only a minority of the sample population supported preserving the mill at its original location. Willingness to pay for preservation was estimated at $8.45 for a one-time donation for the sample and$2.29 after adjusting for non-respondents using characteristics of the local population