Understanding the social bases of satisfaction with public participation in forest management decision-making in British Columbia

This study draws upon the results of a survey of the general public in three communities in British Columbia to examine the social bases of satisfaction with public participation in forest management decision-making at both the local and provincial levels. The main findings are that those members of the general public who are relatively more biocentrically oriented (as indicated by the NEP Scale) are less satisfied, and those who have acquaintanceship ties to people employed in the forestry sector are more satisfied. Women and those with more education were less satisfied (at the provincial level), and Vancouver residents were more satisfied (compared to Kelowna and Armstrong residents). Overall, satisfaction with public participation in forest management decision-making was relatively low. It was, however, slightly higher at the local level than at the provincial scale. Policy and research implications of this study are discussed.