Framing the Need for Active Management for Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Restoration

Abstract

We present results of a Q-methodology study of how diverse stakeholders in northern Colorado framed the need for immediate, active management on federal lands to mitigate wildfire risk and restore forest conditions. From the factor analysis of the Q-sorts, three significant themes emerged that represent distinct perspectives about active management: (1) The region's forests are unhealthy and should be actively managed; (2) active management should comply with existing laws; and (3) in-depth studies and public subsidies are needed before making decisions. Because the need for active management is not universally shared at the local level, agencies should not assume that issue frames are shared. A process of negotiation, shared learning, and adaptation should be pursued to minimize stakeholder conflict and maximize collaborative opportunities.