How Campers' Beliefs about Forest Pests Affect Firewood Transport Behavior: An Application of Involvement Theory

We conducted a survey of 272 campers at 18 private and public ampgrounds in Maine (n = 101), New Hampshire (n = 88), and Vermont (n = 83) to learn about their firewood movement behavior, and knowledge and beliefs about invasive forest pests. More than 25 percent of respondents reported that they often or always brought firewood from home for camping. Most (92 percent) had heard of invasive forest pests, but <25 percent could name an example without being prompted, affirming a need for increasing exposure of outreach materials to facilitate activation of attitudes associated with forest pests and transport of firewood. Campers provided helpful suggestions to improve current outreach and education efforts such as illustrating more of the detrimental impacts forest pests have on trees near homes or recreation areas. For campers who believe their wood is safe and therefore okay to transport regardless of regulations, a need exists to re-message arguments. Furthermore, results suggest that some campers with low involvement who are less engaged and less inclined to seek out information may additionally need more direct approaches. Actions to better capture the attention of these campers could potentially include confiscating illegally transported firewood at check stations, issuing warnings, or administering fines for moving nonlocal or nonheat-treated firewood in order to obtain compliance with protective firewood regulations.