Vegetation management in peri-urban landscapes:

Perceptions & response to fire & risk

Emily Moskwa, Guy Robinson, Delene Weber & Douglas Bardsley

26 May 2015

Part of an ARC Linkage project titled

Bushfires & Biodiversity:

Optimising conservation outcomes in peri-urban areas at risk

RESEARCH TEAM:Prof Guy Robinson & Dr Delene Weber – University of South Australia

Dr Douglas Bardsley – The University of AdelaideEmily Moskwa – Postdoc Researcher (UniSA & UofA)

DEWNR & NRM Partner Investigators:Kirstin Abley, David McKenna, Di DeLaine & Daniel Rogers

Feb 2014 – Jan 2017

Bushfires & Biodiversity

Our project addresses and seeks to balance two concerns:

2)The need for effective conservation measures to maintain important & unique biodiversity

1)The threat of

destructive bushfires occurring

close to residential

areas

Data Collection

• Postal survey (in 2014) with 1000+ responses• Interviews (in 2015)• Focus groups (ongoing)

Today’s Focus:

What does it mean to use fire for restoration?

1) determine levels of support of fire for restoration

2) determine understanding of fire for restoration

3) determine information sources influencing support & understanding

1) Level of Support

2) Understanding

What does it mean in terms of understanding fire for biodiversity?

What does it mean in terms of understanding risk?

2) Understanding

*Significant differences between various ways of finding out about these issues & the level of support for prescribed burns:

Vital that policy makers understand the public response & formulate suitable education & engagement programs to enhance public awareness & understanding

Source Support in General

Support if for Restoration

CFS materials * *

State Govt. Dept. of Environment * *

Conservation organisations * *

Read newspapers *

Talk to neighbours *

Talk to friends

Listen to news radio

Attend public meetings

3) Information Sources

Next Steps?

• Raise community awareness of the significance of integrating biodiversity conservation & bushfire management

• Assist local and state authorities in understanding residents’ perceptions to help find a managed response to policy challenges

• Guide the development of appropriate community engagement materials

Contact