Gender and Citizen Participation in Wildlife Management Decision Making

Abstract

We compared the motivations and preferences of men and women toward citizen participation in wildlife-related decisions. Data were collected via a mail survey of past participants in New York State Department of Environmental Conservation citizen participation processes completed between 1992 and 1999. We explored gender differences in motivations for participation, preferred process characteristics, and criteria used to evaluate process success. Men's participation was more often motivated by a request from a wildlife-related entity. Women placed more importance on processes having unbiased facilitation and the opportunity for open exchange of ideas and information with the agency. Men placed more importance on the use of scientific information in decision making. Attained education level played an important role in observed gender differences. Different strategies are needed to fully engage both women and men in wildlife-related decision making processes.