Rangeland Ecology & Management

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BRAND CREATION FOR A PRESCRIBED FIRE CULTURE - UTILIZING KEY SOCIAL MEDIA PARAMETERS
Author
Coleman, Lars
Hoffman, J. Kelly
McDaniel, Thomas
Bixler, R. Patrick
Kreuter, Urs P.
Russell, Morgan
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

There is much information about the safe application and ecological benefits of prescribed fire as a rangeland management tool. Accordingly, many federal and state agencies, private entities, and landowner representative associations promote the use of prescribed fire and provide information, training and/or equipment to enhance its safe use. However, there is still widespread public resistance to the broad scale use of this management tool. Social media provide a valuable outlet for positive information about prescribed fire to a broader audience. However, social media are underutilized to bridge the gap between current decision makers and potential prescribed fire users. Given the rising age demographic of farmers and ranchers across the rangeland of the USA, a new generation of decision makers on these lands is inevitable. The shift to a younger demographic will result in greater use by land managers of social media sites.�Building a foundation for information sharing for this group is critical for three reasons. First, there is a need to ensure greater access to information by a newer generation. Second, effective mentorship requires information utilization across multiple media platforms as a supplement to in person discussions. Third, information needs to be shared further through easier means. Interviews were conducted for landowner representative associations and government agency employees about their opinions of prescribed fire and the use of information about this tool. While increasing interest in disseminating more information about prescribed fire to potential users was identified, there is concern that such information is not being targeted effectively. Information about social media approaches to sharing information about prescribed fire will be presented.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV