Certification of family forests: What influences owners’ awareness and participation?

Selmin F. Creamer; Keith A. Blatner; Brett J. Butler

doi:10.1016/j.jfe.2011.12.001

Certification of family forests: What influences owners’ awareness and participation?

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Selmin F. Creamer, Keith A. Blatner, Brett J. Butler

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2011.12.001

Source:

Journal of Forest Economics

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Abstract

In the United States, 35% of the forestland is owned by family forest owners with approximately 0.2% of this land reported to be enrolled in a forest certification system. The current study was conducted to provide insights into factors influencing family forest owners’ decisions to certify their lands. The bivariate probit model with sample selection results suggests that receiving professional advice regarding the forestlands and having a written management or stewardship plan had the highest positive marginal effects on awareness of certification programs and participation in these programs. Non-timber objectives had negative marginal effects on awareness of certification programs.

Keywords

Selection model, Bivariate probit, U.S. survey data, Pacific Coast region, Southern region

Citation

Creamer, Selmin F.; Blatner, Keith A.; Butler, Brett J. 2012. Certification of family forests: What influences owners' awareness and participation? Journal of Forest Economics. 18(2): 131-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2011.12.001.