DURHAM, N.H. – Oregon residents are concerned about the health of their forests and support active forest management and restoration to reduce the risk of wildfires, according to new research published by the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire.

“Without active management to alleviate the growing risk of wildfires the social, economic and ecological costs will be severe,” said the researchers. “A majority of those surveyed support active forest management (forest thinning, surface fuel reduction) and restoration to reduce the likelihood of severe wildfires like we’re seeing in California.”

The research, funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, was conducted by a team from UNH, Oregon State University, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Louisville and Wallowa Resources led by Joel Hartter, a faculty fellow at the Carsey School.

The Carsey School of Public Policy conducts research, leadership development, and engaged scholarship relevant to public policy. They address pressing challenges, striving for innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions at all levels of government and in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.