This research examines the general public's perceptions of policy tools for private forests and examines the relationships between policy support and individual demographic characteristics, as well as timber harvesting attitudes. Empirical data were collected through a random digital dial telephone survey of United States residents in 2003 and 2004. Factor and reliability analyses were used to define a private forest policy tool scale containing two distinct policy tools-authority (regulations, sanctions, and incentives) and empowerment (learning, capacity-building, symbolic, and incentive) tools. Overall, the public held neutral attitudes towards authority tools and supported empowerment tools. Of all the demographic characteristics examined in this research, general linear modeling indicated that only education significantly predicted support for authority and empowerment tools. Timber harvesting attitudes were effective predictors of empowerment tools; in general, support for timber harvesting for present benefits was negatively related to support for private forest policy tools. Implications for private forestland policy are presented. D

We measured timber harvesting attitudes (THA) of the American public and explored the social bases of these THA by conducting a national random digit dial telephone survey over 2 years (2003 and 2004). We developed three reliable subscales to measure timber harvesting attitudes. Results of this study indicate that, in general, the public is not opposed to timber harvesting, particularly for economic and utilitarian reasons and as a management tool. Analyses of the social bases of THA revealed that the effects of individual demographic characteristics on timber harvesting attitudes varied with motivations for the harvest. While support for harvesting for present benefits differed across categories of income, education, and between republicans and democrats, support for timber harvesting for economic reasons differed across income classes. Support for harvesting as a management tool differed between those who are religious and those who are not. Congruent with previous research, attitudes of the general public do not differ from those of forestland owners. This research provides key findings regarding the public's THA and offers a novel framework through which public attitudes toward timber harvesting may be assessed.

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