Perpetuating corridor conservation: Using public perception to advance big game management

Abstract

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances may threaten big game migration. Migration corridors span both biophysical and jurisdictional barriers, which create challenges for effective species conservation. Though corridor conservation in the Intermountain West of the United States gained traction with the 2018 Secretarial Order that directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to enhance habitat quality within big game winter ranges and identify priority migration corridors in the western U.S., public support and active policies at sub regional scales remain polarized. We surveyed registered voters in Wyoming, USA, to assess perspectives and preferences to conserve land and habitat for big game migration. We used online focus groups and phone surveys to assess attitudes and opinions specific to support for policies that conserve migrations, the believability of interest groups, and the efficacy of conservation messaging frames. Our results show that Wyoming voters favored policies that benefit both humans and big game, associated higher credibility with state agencies than federal agencies, and found messages that specify human-centered benefits most compelling. We assessed beliefs across demographics, such as political ideology, but found few significant differences. Our work provides insight into dynamic perspectives and preferences for big game corridor conservation among critically affected public, which can aid future research and engagement to advance big game management.