Extension
We provide guidance to wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations on the design and implementation of applied research, policies, and outreach efforts related to conservation and human-wildlife conflicts. As part of our research we evaluate: 1) people's attitudes towards the environment and wildlife; 2) experiences with wildlife and wildlife-related conflicts; and 3) preferences for conservation programs. We then translate this science-based research into extension educational efforts to assist government wildlife agencies, other conservation agencies and Extension faculty to better engage residents in behaviors that reduce human-wildlife conflicts and promote the conservation and management of wildlife, native habitats, and ecosystem services.
The specific objectives of our extension program are to:
increase agencies’ knowledge and understanding of residents’ attitudes towards wildlife and willingness to engage in actions to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts;
improve the effectiveness of agency programs in engaging key stakeholders and residents in conservation behaviors;
improve social science capacity within agencies to address conservation issues; and
work with Extension faculty to increase residents’ and private landowners’ knowledge of wildlife, and their willingness to engage in appropriate measures to conserve wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.
RHD Awareness Team
The RHD Awareness Team comprises researchers and extension specialists at the University of Georgia (Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study) who have generated extension materials for dissemination to the public and key stakeholders about rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), a highly contagious virus infecting wild and domestic rabbits and hares in the United States.
Extension materials include:
RHDV2 information for hunters
RHDV2 information for hunters with hounds
RHDV2 information for falconers
A map showing the spread of RHDV2 across the United States
Webinars presented to state and federal agricultural and wildlife agencies on stakeholders' willingness to engage in voluntary biosecurity actions and their support for government-mandated measures to prevent the spread of RHDV2
For more information about RHDV2 and to access these extension materials visit: RHDV2.org.
Extension Documents
Hostetler, M., S. M. Wisely, S. Johnson, E. F. Pienaar and M. B. Main (2020) “WEC423/UW468: How Effective and Humane Is Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) for Feral Cats?” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw468
Boughton, R., B. Wight, E. F. Pienaar and M. B. Main (2020) “WEC419/UW464: Mammalian Carnivores of Florida” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw464
North, B. W., J. D. Sullivan and E. F. Pienaar (2019) “WEC403/UW448 Basic Steps to Creating a Conservation Land Trust in Florida” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw448
Episcopio, D. J., E. F. Pienaar and M. B. Main (2018) “WEC145/UW144 Did I See a Panther?” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw144
Anderson, K. C. and E. F. Pienaar (2017) “WEC392/UW437 Securing Pet Food from Florida Black Bears and Coyotes” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw437
North, B. W. and E. F. Pienaar (2017) “WEC391/UW436 Land Trusts in Florida: A Brief Guide to Land Trusts to Protect Land in Your Community” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw436
Noel, E. T., and E. F. Pienaar (2017) “WEC385/UW430: Securing Bird Feeders from Florida Black Bears” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw430
Noel, E. T., E. F. Pienaar and M. Orlando (2017) “WEC384/UW429: Reducing Human-Bear Conflicts: Bear-Resistant Trash Cans” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw429
Rodgers, P. D., E. F. Pienaar, M. Lotz and D. Land (2016) “WEC378/UW423: Protecting Florida Panthers by Protecting Domestic Animals: Building a ‘Panther-Proof’ Pen” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw423
Kreye, M. M., E. F. Pienaar, and R. K. Boughton (2016) “WEC370/UW415: Landowner Cost-share Incentives and Payments for Ecosystem Services: A Comparison of Key Program Features” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw415
Pienaar, E. F. and M. M. Kreye (2016) “WEC368/ UW413: Government Efforts to Protect Habitat for the Florida Panther on Private Lands” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw413
Kreye, M. M., E. F. Pienaar, R. K. Boughton and L. Wiggins (2016) “WEC369/UW414: Using the Ecosystem Services Approach to Advance Conservation Efforts on Private Lands” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw414
Kreye, M. M., E. F. Pienaar, R. K. Boughton and L. Wiggins (2015) “WEC358/UW403: Safe Harbor Agreement: A Regulatory Assurance under the Endangered Species Act” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw403
Pienaar, E. F. and E. Rubino (2014) “WEC345/UW390: Habitat Requirements of the Florida Panther” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw390
Pienaar, E. F. (2014) “WEC344/UW389: Conflicts between People and the Florida Black Bear” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw389
Pienaar, E. F. (2014) “WEC341/UW386: Valuing the Recreation Uses of Natural Resources: the Travel Cost Method” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw386
Pienaar, E. F. (2013) “WEC340/UW385: Measuring the Economic Value of the Environment and Natural Resources” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3329.0640.
Pienaar, E. F. (2013) “WEC338/UW383: The Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Environmental Policy” University of Florida Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS), DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2935.8488.