Floridians are largely supportive of the government agencies tasked with protecting plants, animals and habitats, according to the second installment of the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education’s public opinion survey about endangered species.
PIE Center researchers asked state residents about their attitudes toward various state and federal organizations that manage and protect endangered species. About a third of Floridians wanted to see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service gain more control, while a quarter would like more influence to be given to all five state agencies: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service and Florida Water Management Districts.
More than 500 Floridians responded to the online survey, which is designed to represent the entire state according to 2010 Census information.
Overall, PIE Center associate director Alexa Lamm said residents indicated that state and federal organizations held the right amount of influence over policies and regulations designed to protect endangered species.
“Their response was largely positive or supportive of the organizations, but we found that most Floridians would like to see the level of influence individual citizens have on the issue increase,” she said.
The PIE Center survey showed that about two-thirds of state residents believed citizens both nationally and in Florida do not have enough influence over the management of endangered species. Nearly half of Floridians felt the opposite of political leaders, saying they held too much power.
“We see this apparent distrust in political leaders frequently in our public opinion surveys but many, if not all of the issues we explore are so much larger than individual people,” said Lamm, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. “Political leaders directly support the funding and policies for the organizations the citizens do trust to manage and protect endangered species. Biodiversity and the health of our environment go beyond political boundaries.”
Floridians were relatively unconcerned about the cost of controlling invasive species, when asked how government agencies should prioritize certain factors. Residents instead felt the government should prioritize management of the damage invasive species cause to native species, humans, agriculture and property. Floridians believed the people who introduced the invasive species should foot the bill, followed by the state and federal governments. Only 25 percent indicated that citizens should bear some of the cost.
The survey is part of the PIE Center’s series of public opinion research. Other topics include water quality and quantity, immigration and food production practices.
