Melissa H. Koval and Angela G. Mertig
Michigan State University Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife & Dept. of Sociology
May, 2002

Since 1999, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Division and researchers in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU) have been surveying Michigan residents about various wildlife issues in the state. By evaluating the public's opinion about wildlife issues, the MDNR can better manage wildlife in everyone’s best interests. The 2001 “Resource Attitudes in Michigan” survey included issues on endangered species management in Michigan. A representative sample of 2,000 Michigan residents were contacted for their opinion.

The survey found that people in Michigan are very supportive of MDNR efforts to manage and protect endangered species. Seventy-three percent of the public felt the amount of time and money currently spent managing endangered species should continue or be increased. Very few people believed that the current level of spending is too much. Nineteen percent were unsure how to answer this question.

Since managers have limited resources to manage endangered species, it was important to find out what people feel is the best way to use those resources. Respondents were given a list of several management options for endangered species and asked to choose which one they prefer (see Figure 1). Members of the public are most supportive of managers “using equal effort for all endangered species” and “focusing effort on species in the greatest danger of extinction.”

At times, limits on access to public areas in which endangered animals live are needed to protect the species. A question was included to find out how people feel about limiting certain activities on public lands in order to protect endangered species. Again, people are very supportive of limiting human activities on public lands in order to protect endangered species. They are the most supportive of limiting off-road vehicles, followed by limiting timber harvest, road development, and mining activities. The public is least supportive of limiting bird-watching access on public lands, but nearly half would still support limits to bird-watching if doing so would protect endangered species.

Even limiting private property rights to protect endangered species received a high level of support. Seventy percent of Michigan residents support protecting endangered species on private property. Thirty percent believe that private property rights should be protected, even if it means that some species might become extinct. Comparing this question to similar questions in two recent national studies, Michiganians tend to be more supportive than the national average. A 1999 Gallup Poll found 61 percent supporting restriction on private property for endangered species and a 2001 Los Angeles Times poll found 58 percent support.

Finally, survey participants were asked to identify which groups of endangered species were most important to protect. In general, members of the public feel it is important to protect all groups of endangered species; however, endangered birds, mammals, and fish rank at the top of their list. Endangered plants are considered the next most important, followed by reptiles, amphibians, and, finally, insects. Overall, people who are most supportive of protecting all of these groups of endangered species are women, younger people, urban residents, residents of Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula, and people who participate more frequently in bird-watching, hiking, and camping than do others. Not surprisingly, those who tend to be more supportive of protecting endangered species also tend to show higher levels of concern about the environment, as measured by other questions on the survey.

If you would like more information about this study, please contact Melissa Koval (E-mail: kovalmel@msu.edu) or Angela Mertig (E-mail: mertig@msu.edu; toll-free phone: 1-888-206-4350) in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.