@article {BF-2327,
	title = {Perceptions of Prescribed Burning in a Local Forest Community in Victoria, Australia},
	journal = {Environmental Management},
	volume = {38},
	year = {2006},
	month = {11/2006},
	pages = {867 - 878},
	abstract = {The general perceptions of prescribed burning
were elicited from forest users for an area that has
been subject to this form of land management for at least
20 years. The largest group consisted of local residents
living in and around the Wombat State Forest with two
smaller groups of students from a nearby university
campus and local professional land managers. A questionnaire
was given to each participant in order to explore
how the forest was used, to determine the level of
knowledge of burning in the targeted forest and Victoria
and the perception of the appearance, effectiveness of
protection, and accessibility to the forest after prescribed
burning. Generally all groups had similar responses with
community members having stronger views on the
effectiveness and practicalities of prescribed burning,
whereas students were more neutral in their opinions.
All participants claimed knowledge of prescribed burning
activities within Victoria, but fewer had experience
of planned fires in the Wombat State Forest. All groups
agreed that areas that had not been recently burned had
a better appearance than those that had, but this result
may have included a range of value judgments. Land
managers had a greater understanding of the ecological
importance of season and timing of burning; however,
some students and community members were equally
knowledgeable. Prescribed burning did not impede access
to the forest, nor did smoke from prescribed burns
pose any great problem. The majority of the participants
felt that the amount of prescribed burning done in the
forest was adequate for engendering a feeling of protection
to life and property, yet many were still suspicious
of this management practice. These initial findings
indicate several areas in which further research would be
useful including the efficacy of education programs for
community members and improved communication of
burn plans by land managers.},
	doi = {10.1007/s00267-005-0290-3},
	author = {Bell, Tina and Oliveras, I}
}
