Research on the social bases of environmentalism in the United States has generally found that urban residents are more concerned about the environment than rural residents. Recent research suggests this may no longer be the case, particularly in specific settings or under certain conditions. This paper examines the issue by reviewing recent survey research on rural and urban environmentalism. Tests for significant differences between urban and rural inhabitants of the Southern Appalachian Ecoregion on cognitive and behavioral dimensions of environmentalism are also conducted using data obtained from 1,239 telephone interviews. Findings are consistent with previous research showing that younger people, those with higher levels of education, and political liberals generally express higher levels of environmentalism. However, no significant rural‐urban differences were found on several indicators of environmentalism. A range of conditions that are rapidly changing the character and composition of the region may help to explain why the findings do not conform to the general pattern of rural‐urban differences. Overall, it appears that environmentalism has broadened its appeal in rural areas, especially in communities located near national and state parks, wildlife refuges, and other outdoor recreation sites.

Personal contact is more effective than targeted mailings or mass media in transmitting specific NIPF management advice, and in gaining adoption of that advice by NIPF owners, based on a survey of 220 NIPF owners in northern Lower Michigan. Interpersonal influence by friends, neighbors, and relatives was equally important as contact with professional foresters as a source of NIPF management advice. Peer influence was a significant source of advice about timber management and timber harvesting. This advice had about as much effect on adoption as advice given by private sector foresters, and a greater effect than advice given by state or federal forestry professionals. These findings suggest that investment in communications strategies should emphasize programs of targeted personal contact. However, recognizing the importance of lay peer influence implies that foresters should contact opinion leaders in the community first, and gain their approval so that informal influence among friends and neighbors of NIPF will be as positive as possible. North. J. Appl. For. 5:265-270, December 1988.

Increasing numbers of freshwater ecosystems have had sportfish consumption advisories posted in recent years. Advisories are sometimes issued in lieu of environmental remediation if they are considered more cost-effective than “cleaning up” the resource, but this approach assumes that anglers adjust behavior in response to the warning. Previous studies, however, suggest that compliance with advisories can be quite low. In contrast, this study measures a statistically significant response by reservoir anglers to consumption advisories. In particular, anglers are less likely to choose to visit a reservoir with an advisory than a similar reservoir without an advisory. Furthermore, the economic losses due to advisories are quantified for anglers in two regions of Tennessee.

Attitudes and motivations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunters are important for state wildlife agencies to consider when they are trying to meet harvest goals for the species. In recent years, interest in quality deer management (QDM) has grown, but little is known about hunter support for QDM. We surveyed hunters on private hunting clubs and Wildlife Management Areas where QDM was practiced, as well as statewide sportsman license holders in Tennessee, USA, following the 2004-2005 deerhunting season to identify characteristics, attitudes, and motivations of these hunter groups. Respondents in all 3 hunter groups identified QDM as a ''sensible management strategy for white-tailed deer'' and a majority (>76%) of the hunters preferred hunting areas managed under QDM guidelines. Hunter groups varied in their responses related to specific QDM guidelines and implementation. Nonetheless, all 3 hunter groups were primarily interested in herd health and buck quality, wanted a reduction in the buck bag limit, and supported harvest of antlerless deer. Motivations to hunt varied by hunter group, but respondents in all 3 groups indicated that experiencing nature was the number one reason for hunting. Our survey results suggest that though opinions may vary on how QDM might be implemented, the general deer-hunting public in Tennessee has moved away from the traditional deer-management philosophy that allowed buck harvest without age restrictions and restricted antlerless harvest. Using biological justification along with hunter opinion, we recommend that state wildlife agencies consider providing QDM opportunities where appropriate and offer annual education programs to improve hunters' understanding of deer-management strategies. This should help ensure hunter satisfaction and will help state wildlife agencies meet deermanagement objectives. ß 2012 The Wildlife Society.KEY WORDS hunter attitudes, hunter motivations, Odocoileus virginianus, quality deer management, white-tailed deer.