By Tory Boyd
Although the majority of Floridians consider endangered species as extremely or highly important, they ranked the issue well behind topics such as the economy, health care and food safety in a recent survey by the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education.
The online survey of 499 state residents showed that 66 percent of respondents rated endangered species to be extremely or highly important. The issue, however, ranked low compared to topics such as the economy, which was considered extremely or highly important by 88 percent of respondents, and health care at 84 percent.
“We don’t know for sure why, but it is interesting that the public is very attentive, concerned and supportive of the protection of endangered species,” PIE Center Director Tracy Irani said. ”That may indicate that it’s personally relevant for Floridians and that may be why they are paying attention to the issue.”
When asked to rate their level of concern about endangered species on a scale of one to 10, 27 percent of respondents placed themselves at a 10 or very concerned. Overall, Floridians displayed high levels of concern, with 17 percent rating their concern at a nine and 23 percent indicating their level of concern at an eight.
PIE Center researchers said that the public might pay special attention to endangered species because they have been exposed to information about potential threats and causes and might find the issue personally relevant.
“As Floridians, most of us have the experience of being on a beach and seeing those signs about sea turtles nesting or have gone to see the manatees, and I think those are experiences that resonate,” Irani said.
The PIE Center study is the third in a quarterly series of public opinion surveys that examine important issues in Florida. Previous topics include water quality and quantity and immigration.
Results from the endangered species survey come on the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, which, according to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the species that are listed.
“It’s very interesting to see in the findings of this study that 40 years later, people still support the idea of protecting plants and animals that are endangered and supportive to the extent that they’re willing to make sacrifices or to say that they are personally responsible for protection,” she said.
