ENS 300.02

Busting Myths on Forest Fires: Benefits and Understanding of Controlled Burns as a Natural Sustainable Agricultural Practice

By. Jennie Golaszewski

ENS 300: Golaszewski White Paper

(F24) ENS 300-02 #10 Jennie (Responses)

(Introduction)

Hunting has been part of Michigan's environmental and cultural identity for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Hunting is credited for managing a large portion of Michigan's wildlife populations year round (Marketing 2019). This ensures that populations among animals remain balanced, preventing habitat destruction, overpopulation, and conflict with humans. With this being said, Michigan has experienced significant demographic changes within the last few decades, due to factors such as urbanization along with changing environmental values (Staley 1999). Given these shifts, public opinions in regards to hunting have become increasingly divided. The widespread perspectives regarding hunting often reflect deeper identity based beliefs that go beyond ecological concerns, touching on personal, cultural, and environmental values (BOULÉ 2018). This proposal will investigate how Michiganders views on hunting correspond to their understanding of sustainability. The research will be done through the lens of identity theory. My research will reveal how people's identities, governed by cultural values, environmental views, and the relationship in regards to nature, digest their views on sustainability practices, such as hunting.

(Literature Review)

Within the state of Michigan hunting has always been enriched in the culture and has been understood to preserve balance in the ecosystem (Creagh 2016). Additionally, hunting has contributed to the state's economy and conservation programs. The grounds on which hunters in Michigan view hunting as a necessary part of conservation is in regards to animal populations and habitat. Animal populations can result in less adequate habitat if populations go above the carrying capacity, carrying capacity is the amount of resources needed in order to sustain a species (Leffer 2024). If animals exceed the carrying capacity, they will likely starve themselves out of the area. On the other side, those who promote anti-hunting movements most commonly advocate for wildlife management practices with ecological integrity that don’t include alternatives that take an animal's life, (Birdsong 2024). Among Michigan residents, hunting often reveals differing perspectives. Michiganders form their belief on hunting based on personal and cultural identities. Identity theory indicates a few important characteristics, one of these characteristics being how Michiganders define themselves in relation to Hunting. In most cases, residents form their views based on their identity (Newton G, 2023). This means that personal experiences, culture, and community shape how an individual may identify in regards to hunting. Among Michigan hunters it’s not uncommon for those that partake to express that hunting isn’t solely about wildlife management. The acceptance of hunting is made up of a couple variables, such as outdoorsmen being tied to rural heritage and a sense of belonging to the land (The Conservation Fund 2017). Hunting is deeply connected to a rural heritage as it has been a primary means of survival and sustenance for most of time. Many Michiganders, who live in more rural areas of the state, including those that have families deeply enriched in hunting, identify with this practice being part of their personal and community identity. For these Michiganders, hunting is more than just the satisfaction of killing an animal. Hunting represents a sustainable method of wildlife conservation, closely linked with local traditions and culture (RMEF 2025). The state of Michigan relies on hunters to manage the population of animals in order to keep the carrying capacity in balance.

With this being said, individuals from urban areas, or those who are less connected with hunting generally do not share a deep connection in regards to hunting on a cultural level. For individuals who do not have a deeply enriched hunting family, environmental sustainability is generally framed around less lethal alternatives, such as wildlife contraception, reforestation, and habitat preservation. According to identity theory these individuals often formulate their perception around ethical considerations and environmental stewardship. In many instances individuals' lack of basic knowledge in regards to hunting leaves them to believe that hunting is incompatible with sustainability (Wilkins 2019).

Identity theory extends its explanation to suggest that peoples environmental behavior often is tied to their social group and the values that that particular group upholds and obeys to (Wilkins 2019). Michiganders who identify as hunters generally argue that hunting is a necessary part of conservation (RMEF 2025). It’s important to deeply understand identity driven perspectives when addressing the many challenges that the state of Michigan faces in balancing cultural practices with sustainable wildlife management.

As mentioned by (Liordos 2023), a great deal of research has overlooked the role of identity. It is evident that identity does play a role in people's views in regards to sustainability and whether or not they believe hunting co-exists. This is important because it suggests that sustainability policies may not be reaching their highest rate of effectiveness due to a lack of relating to identity theory.

(Theoretical framework, identity theory approach)

Identity theory is a sociological framework that digests how individuals' identities are constructed by their roles in society. Identity theory asserts that people's attitude, behaviors, and perspectives are directly impacted by their identities. Identity theory coexists well with my research proposal, “Within Michigan, how do People’s Views on Hunting Affect Their Views on Sustainability?” Identity plays a crucial role in shaping people's views on hunting and sustainability. Those who have grown up amongst families in which hunting is a valued tradition often developed an identity to hunting themselves, In turn affecting their views on sustainability.

-Cultural and Environmental Identity- → Role Identity (Hunter, Environmentalist)

(Shaped by community, culture) (Informed by role expectations)

-Identity Salience- (Influence on attitudes and behaviors…

-Identity Conflict- (Rural-Urban Divides, Ethical Tensions…)

-Public Views on Sustainability- (Acceptance of Hunting, Non-lethal Practices…)

-Policy Development and Community Engagement- (Effective Sustainability Strategies…)

(Stryker 1994)

Research Questions/Objectives and Justification

The primary research question of this study is, within Michigan how do people's views on hunting relate with sustainability? By effectively applying identity theory this research will examine the cultural, environmental, and ethical dimensions that formulate how individuals along with communities view hunting, and sustainability. The study will break down the role of hunting in regards to Michigan’s wildlife, and the state's management strategies. All while considering how Michiganders identity affects their beliefs and acceptance in regards to various sustainability practices. This will of course include hunting, and strategies that are less lethal. The goal of this research is to understand how identity based perspectives correspond with the public opinion in regards to sustainable practices. It’s vital that development policies consider cultural and environmental factors to strengthen environmental programs. Ultimately, this research will provide the reader with information and strategies that uphold ecological goals with public acceptance.

References

Birdsong , M. H. (2024, March 3). The influence of social identity on attitudes toward wildlife. Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38433373/

BOULÉ, K. L. (2018, August). Stakeholder perspectives on sport hunting, conservation, and. STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES ON SPORT HUNTING, CONSERVATION, AND ECOSYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA. https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Kelsey_Boule_thesis44082.pdf

Creagh, K. (2016, December 8). Michigan Deer Management Plan. MICHIGAN DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN. https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/WLD/Deer/mi_deer_management_plan.pdf?rev=941dd763ff684f12970709db17bae1f0

Leffer, L. (2024, May 16). Carrying capacity definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrying%20capacity

Liordos, V., Kontsiotis, V. J., Telidis, S., Eleftheriadou, I., & Triantafyllidis, A. (2023a, July 21). Relationships between wildlife value orientations and social identity - euro-mediterranean journal for environmental integration. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41207-023-00393-z

Marketing, D. G. (2019, May 17). Hunting contributes year-round benefits to wildlife. Michigan Wildlife Council. https://hereformioutdoors.org/stories/2017/11/14/hunting-year-round-benefits-wildlife/

Newton, G. (2023, June 12). The intricacies of Michigan hunting ethics - melding heritage with environmental responsibility. Thumbwind. https://thumbwind.com/2023/06/12/michigan-hunting-ethics/

RMEF. (2025, January 17). HUNTING IS CONSERVATION IT’S THAT SIMPLE. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. https://www.rmef.org/hunting-is-conservation/

Staley , S. R. (1999, September). “urban sprawl” and the Michigan Landscape. “Urban Sprawl” and the “Urban Sprawl” and the Michigan Landscape: Michigan Landscape: A Market-Oriented Approach A Market-Oriented Approach. https://www.mackinac.org/archives/1998/s1998-06.pdf

Stryker, S. (1994). (PDF) identity salience and psychological centrality: Equivalent, overlapping, or complementary concepts?. Identity Salience and Psychological Centrality: Equivalent, Overlapping, or Complementary Concepts? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233896326_Identity_Salience_and_Psychological_Centrality_Equivalent_Overlapping_Or_Complementary_Concepts

The Conservation Fund. (2017, April 10). Deep connection between hunting and environmentalism | the conservation fund. Deep Connection Between Hunting and Environmentalism. https://www.conservationfund.org/impact/blog/1547-turning-big-dreams-and-sustainable-timber-into-a-tall-ship

Wilkins, E. J., & Cole, N. W. (2019, August 27). Rural-urban differences in hunting and birdwatching ... Rural-urban differences in hunting and birdwatching attitudes and participation intent. https://www.ualberta.ca/kinesiology-sport-recreation/media-library/people/harshaw/cd96e26eb1b843d893827425498bcbc4/wilkins-2019_hunting-rural-urban.pdf