Factors Affecting Minority Forest Landowners’ Participation in Conservation Programs

Abstract Historically, racial minority private forest landowners have been underserved in conservation programs. We review the literature to explore the factors that influence landowners of color (LOCs) decisions to participate (or not) in conservation programs and the challenges they face in accessing these programs. Our review is largely based on the experiences of African American forest landowners (generally referred to as “landowners” throughout the paper) in the southeastern United States, though implications likely extend to other historically underserved minority groups in different geographical areas. Our narrative review highlights several key challenges facing LOCs, including disparities in land ownership, historic disinvestment, and discriminatory policies that limit economic mobility. We also identify opportunities for improved engagement with LOCs, including leveraging cultural values and connections to land, improving understanding of landowner motivations to incentivize participation, providing customized outreach and education, enhancing interagency collaboration, and increasing the cultural competency of support staff. Collective findings underscore unique opportunities for engaging with LOCs by addressing historic barriers that have prevented them from participating in private lands conservation programs and sustainable land management practices.