WETLAND USES AND FUNCTIONS AS PERCEIVED BY MID-MICHIGAN RESIDENTS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH RESULTS

The following report outlines the results of focus group discussions that were conducted to help researchers learn what it is about wetlands, wetland services, and wetland characteristics that matter to people. The participants were asked questions in the areas of natural resources, their prior knowledge of wetlands, wetland types, public policies relating to wetlands, and wetland functions. The focus group discussions reported here were the first set of qualitative discussions in the research project. The purpose of the discussions was to create a basis of information concerning the respondents' perceptions and understanding of wetland uses and functions. These initial focus groups represent a first step in a larger project that will develop and test stated preference instruments for valuing ecosystem characteristics associated with freshwater wetlands. The information on respondents' uses, perceptions, and knowledge of wetland functions will be used to develop survey instruments and serve as the starting point for out wetlands research.Land Economics/Use,

Building Capacity in Developing Countries : OER for Food Safety

The Food Safety Knowledge Network (FSKN) was developed through the collaboration of Michigan State University and a professional network of international food industry retailers and manufacturers. The key objective of the FSKN project is to provide technical resources, in a cost effective way, in order to promote food safety in developing countries and for small and less developed companies. FSKN uses a competency based model including a framework, OERs, and assessments. These tools are being used to support face-to-face training, fully online training, and to gauge the learning outcomes of a series of pilot groups which were held in India, Egypt, and China

WETLAND USES AND FUNCTIONS AS PERCEIVED BY MID-MICHIGAN RESIDENTS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH RESULTS

The following report outlines the results of focus group discussions that were conducted to help researchers learn what it is about wetlands, wetland services, and wetland characteristics that matter to people. The participants were asked questions in the areas of natural resources, their prior knowledge of wetlands, wetland types, public policies relating to wetlands, and wetland functions. The focus group discussions reported here were the first set of qualitative discussions in the research project. The purpose of the discussions was to create a basis of information concerning the respondents' perceptions and understanding of wetland uses and functions. These initial focus groups represent a first step in a larger project that will develop and test stated preference instruments for valuing ecosystem characteristics associated with freshwater wetlands. The information on respondents' uses, perceptions, and knowledge of wetland functions will be used to develop survey instruments and serve as the starting point for out wetlands research