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Date Permissions Signed

5-12-2011

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

First Advisor

Abel, Troy D.

Second Advisor

Rossiter, David A.

Third Advisor

Alper, Donald K.

Abstract

Wildlife management north and south of the Border is markedly different and is a direct reflection of the respective political systems. This variance in governance structures on either side of the border makes coordination, implementation, and management of transborder natural resources difficult. Transborder wildlife, particularly those shared across international borders, present many challenges to their successful management. Environmental governance scholars have indicated that a shift to more "fluid" polycentric governance, or multiple centers of governance among several smaller jurisdictions, may be more effective than governance through a single large structure. The following questions were used to guide (1) a sub-national governance comparison, (2) semi-structured interviews, and (3) a public perception survey. Is wolf management in the Cascadia region polycentric in arrangement and practice? Do perceptions of wolf governance vary across the Border? And what role do those perceptions play in current and future management? Semistructured interviews of fourteen wolf and wildlife managers were conducted to gain an understanding of wolf management in the Cascadia ecoregion and to examine regional wolf manager's perspective on wolf governance in the region. A public perception survey was administered and completed by 369 citizens in British Columbia and Washington State to establish if citizens supported and identified with the managers and agencies involved in wolf governance. Survey and interview results indicated that there are few venues for polycentric wolf governance in WA and even fewer in B.C. Citizens in both WA and B.C. agreed that the states/provinces should be the primary lead wolf managers and that public should be more involved in the wolf management process.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/nwcb-7s70

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

729242864

Subject – LCSH

Gray wolf--Conservation--North Cascades (B.C. and Wash.)--International cooperation--Case studies; Gray wolf--North Cascades (B.C. and Wash.)--Management; Gray wolf--Political aspects--United States; Gray wolf--Political aspects--Canada

Geographic Coverage

North Cascades (B.C. and Wash.); United States; Canada

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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