Measuring the relative contribution of factors influencing attitudes towards the Endangered Species Act in Virginia

Brought from a concern of our diminishing wildlife, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in 1973 and charged as our national policy to preserving wildlife. Hailed by some as the ultimate protector, and by others as the “wrecking ball” of economic development and growth, little is known about what factors influence public attitudes towards protecting wildlife or more specifically, the Endangered Species Act (ESA).; A randomized telephone survey was administered to 800 adults living throughout the State of Virginia. Aside from measuring general support of the ESA, two additional sacrifice dependent variables were included. Selected independent variables were drawn from the environmental concern and behavior literature, including the novel use of human and non-human object orientations as conceptualized by the recent social-psychological work of Wesley Schultz. Orientations in this survey were defined as a desire to preserve wildlife based on concern for self (self-interest), for other people and future generations (social-altruistic), for the animals themselves (biocentric), or for the balance of nature (ecocentric). Multiple regression models were constructed in order to collect a list of significant factors and the relative value of each, while controlling for the interrelationships between other independent variables.; Results show that a majority of Virginians supports the Endangered Species Act, but were less willing to pay much higher taxes or accept less jobs and economic growth in support of the Act. A number of significant factors were found that influenced attitudes towards ESA support and a willingness to sacrifice. Among the highest contributors were the belief that animals have a right to be protected, a trust in scientific information, and the respondents' race, political party affiliation, and level of education. The largest influence on attitudes found in the survey was a desire to protect wildlife based on an animal or nature based object orientation. The results of this study provides a foundation for future research on attitudes and the ESA, and emphasizes the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach to gather and compare important concepts for use in wildlife preservation survey research.