Attitudes and Perceptions on Potential Development of Nature-Based Enterprises among Landowners in the Alabama Black Belt

Abstract

The Alabama black belt region is one of the poorest areas in the country, characterized by predominantly African American population and dark rich soil. Creating nature-based ventures is an opportunity that can be realized to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life in the region. The objective of this study is to examine landowner attitudes and perceptions towards nature-based activities on their land and the potential development of nature-based enterprises. Descriptive statistics and logit analysis were utilized to analyze survey data. Results indicate that the top two available nature-based activities are hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing are also perceived to be the most potentially-profitable nature-based businesses that could be developed on the respondents’ land. Logit results show that a landowner is more likely to use the land for nature-based activities if he has a relatively large land, large family, and if recreation is one of his primary reasons for using the land.