Overview of 2011 Survey
Results of “Where Are We At” Survey of Ontario Conservation Authorities and Stewardship Councils (2011) Regarding the ‘Rural Ontario Landowners Stewardship Guide.’
Cover Page of Survey
Survey Methodology
An on-line survey was conducted over the summer months of 2011. The 8 question survey asked respondents specific questions on the existing Guide and its use within their jurisdictional areas. The questionnaire had a mix of ‘yes/no’ questions, as well as ‘open ended’ questions probing how the existing Guide is used, and where improvements to its formulation could be made.
Survey Participants
*Please note: other areas are also represented beyond those outlined on the mapping (e.g. Carolinian Canada Coalition 'Caring for your Land' program; and the 'Horse Owner Stewardship Guide for the Ontario Landscape')
General Survey Results
Responses – approximately one third of the CAs and SCs in Ontario responded to the survey – see map to illustrate extent of participation.
As a summary of the survey results, the following can be reported:
- The majority of the survey respondents were aware of the Guide; to those who were aware of the Guide, most used it in some aspect of their environmental protection work.
- Of those who use the Guide, the most applied components of the 14 sections of the workbook manual were ‘water and septic systems’.
- Many survey respondents who are aware of the Guide believe it is useful device to promote the holistic environmentally-aware management of private rural lands, and to build collaborative communication/action channels between property owners and government agencies.
- Of all the survey respondents, most thought a standardized Guide was useful for the promotion of stewardship initiatives across Ontario. Notwithstanding this, there were many instances where the Guide has been customized for use in specific areas of Ontario – either geographically, or in a particular sector sense (e.g. horse farm management, Carolinian species acknowledgement).
- In addition to those organizations contacted for the initial survey, there were many suggestions of others that could make use of the Guide (e.g. environmental NGOs).
- To most survey respondents, the Guide can be viewed as one element in a host of tools to promote environmental stewardship to rural property owners. Many support documents and mechanisms (e.g. financial incentives under various government programs) are useful to get action and to promote environmental awareness and protection.