Rural greenway planning: the role of streamland perception in landowner acceptance of land management strategies

Successful greenway planning and development in rural areas depends heavily on private landownersʹ acceptance of new landscape planning and management strategies. In this study, agricultural landowners in Dickinson County, Kansas, are surveyed to assess their perceptions of streamland importance. Perceptions of streamland importance are examined with regard to income production, recreational use, and environmental quality protection. This research further explores the important role these perceptions play in landowner acceptance of new land management strategies. Land management strategies considered focus on rural greenway restoration and development, and include conservation easements, public assistance for stream restoration, financial assistance in exchange for public recreational access, landowner participation in program development, and alternative taxation. Research results indicate that landowners in the study area perceive streamland as more important for the protection of wildlife, water quality, and visual appearance than for income production or recreation. In addition, alternative land management strategies are found to be more acceptable to those landowners who consider streamland highly important for community quality of life. Conclusions suggest implications for future greenway planning and development focusing on the protection of public environmental quality as well as private landownersʹ rights. Directions for further research focus on the ways in which information-education programs may significantly increase community awareness of and knowledge about greenway corridor benefits.