The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource

ABSTRACT The whooping crane (Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a reso...

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Main Authors: Chara J. Ragland, Leigh A. Bernacchi, Tarla Rai Peterson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-12-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.602
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author Chara J. Ragland
Leigh A. Bernacchi
Tarla Rai Peterson
author_facet Chara J. Ragland
Leigh A. Bernacchi
Tarla Rai Peterson
author_sort Chara J. Ragland
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT The whooping crane (Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a resource for potential community involvement in whooping crane management by conducting semi‐structured interviews (Jul–Sep 2010) of 35 individuals, 25 of whom are concerned community members who work and/or live in the wintering grounds of the lone wild population of whooping cranes in the Texas Coastal Bend, USA. We used an iterative process of inductive analysis to examine structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital within the community. We observed networks with bonding ties within the community that are strengthened by active engagement in crane‐related activities, shared values and community identity, and institutions that have fostered leadership and service. Bridging ties between community and state, federal, academic, and nonprofit organizations offer opportunities for knowledge sharing and legitimacy. Reciprocity and trust were evident from descriptions of the community working together effectively to address environmental and crane‐related concerns. Challenges to successful community involvement include finding ways for meaningful community contributions to foster greater trust between the community and federal natural resource managers. We suggest social capital in this community provides a resource that has the potential to save time and money in addressing ongoing efforts to protect this charismatic endangered species. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
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spelling doaj-art-cf82a9b3bfdf4fd2a735d145878aa2cd2025-08-20T02:36:23ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402015-12-0139468969910.1002/wsb.602The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resourceChara J. Ragland0Leigh A. Bernacchi1Tarla Rai Peterson2Wildlife and Conservation Policy Research Group, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTX77843USARegional Approaches to Climate Change in Pacific Northwest Agriculture, Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological SciencesUniversity of Idaho875 Perimeter DriveMoscowID83844USAWildlife and Conservation Policy Research Group, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTX77843USAABSTRACT The whooping crane (Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a resource for potential community involvement in whooping crane management by conducting semi‐structured interviews (Jul–Sep 2010) of 35 individuals, 25 of whom are concerned community members who work and/or live in the wintering grounds of the lone wild population of whooping cranes in the Texas Coastal Bend, USA. We used an iterative process of inductive analysis to examine structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital within the community. We observed networks with bonding ties within the community that are strengthened by active engagement in crane‐related activities, shared values and community identity, and institutions that have fostered leadership and service. Bridging ties between community and state, federal, academic, and nonprofit organizations offer opportunities for knowledge sharing and legitimacy. Reciprocity and trust were evident from descriptions of the community working together effectively to address environmental and crane‐related concerns. Challenges to successful community involvement include finding ways for meaningful community contributions to foster greater trust between the community and federal natural resource managers. We suggest social capital in this community provides a resource that has the potential to save time and money in addressing ongoing efforts to protect this charismatic endangered species. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.602community involvementendangered speciesGrus americanasocial capitalwhooping craneswildlife management
spellingShingle Chara J. Ragland
Leigh A. Bernacchi
Tarla Rai Peterson
The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
Wildlife Society Bulletin
community involvement
endangered species
Grus americana
social capital
whooping cranes
wildlife management
title The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
title_full The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
title_fullStr The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
title_full_unstemmed The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
title_short The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource
title_sort role of social capital in endangered species management a valuable resource
topic community involvement
endangered species
Grus americana
social capital
whooping cranes
wildlife management
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.602
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