Stakeholder Participation and Multi-Actor Collaboration in Model Forest Governance: Insights from the Bucak Model Forest, Türkiye

This study investigates the factors influencing stakeholders’ willingness to contribute to the Bucak Model Forest (BMF) in Türkiye, a participatory governance initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forest management. Based on a survey of 1134 local residents and stakeholders, the research employs both descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses, including stepwise multiple linear regression and Chi-square tests. The regression analysis revealed that variables such as awareness of the BMF, positive attitudes toward ecotourism, trust in forestry institutions, and willingness to engage in forest-related activities without financial gain positively affect the intention to contribute, while gender showed a weak negative relationship. The overall explanatory power of the regression model was 23%, indicating the need to consider additional variables for a deeper understanding. Chi-square analyses demonstrated weak but significant associations between demographic characteristics and perceptions of forest use, conservation, and organizational trust. The findings underscore the necessity of refining participatory strategies in Model Forests by enhancing outreach, adjusting strategic planning based on local dynamics, and strengthening institutional capacities. The study contributes to the literature on collaborative forest governance and provides practical insights for improving stakeholder engagement in similar landscape-scale sustainability initiatives.