Environment

Metro: Recycling Behavior Research

Conducted an online survey of residents in the greater Portland area and focus groups with Spanish-speaking, Hispanic/Latinx residents to baseline perceptions and behaviors around recycling. Research findings were used to create messaging that resonates with diverse communities to help home recyclers keep trash out of their recycling bins and reduce what’s known in the industry as the “contamination rate."

Bering Straits and Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Areas: Coastal Management Plan Research

Research assessing residents’ perceptions and concerns about coastal resource issues on the Alaska coast. Local interviewers were trained to survey residents in villages using a scientifically valid questionnaire. The information was used to develop coastal resources management plans.

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services: 10-Year Strategic Plan Study

Qualitative research to evaluate a proposal to expand the City of Portland environmental overlay zone and provide greater protection for the city’s natural resources. Focus groups were conducted with both property owners potentially affected by the revised zone and with the general public. The project was followed by a survey to assess public perceptions about water quality, awareness of BES services, and support for increased fees to meet future needs.

Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts: Land Conservation Grantmaking

In partnership with COLT and the Land Trust Alliance, and with YARG Foundation funding, conducted research including surveys and focus groups, completed a communications audit, and consulted on communications including messaging and outreach strategy, all as part of a statewide engagement initiative to equip land trusts with the information they needed to significantly ramp up communications capacity at the local and statewide levels. The research findings are helping Oregon land trusts identify new audiences and engage their communities in new ways with targeted, consistent, and authentic messaging, including land conservation’s value for environmental protection and outdoor recreation.

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission: Salmon Recovery Research

Focus group and survey research aimed at understanding Oregon and Washington residents’ opinions about solutions for declining salmon runs. Topics included dam removal, paying for salmon recovery, and attitudes toward Indian tribes.

Deschutes River Conservancy: Communications Management Research

Survey of residents in three central Oregon counties. The research assessed the community’s awareness and knowledge of the region’s rivers and streams, as well as their opinions about water management in the Deschutes River basin.

Ecotrust: Water Quality Study

Quantitative and qualitative opinion research of water issues in Alaskan communities. The project included surveys of Alaska residents, followed by 23 in-depth interviews of tribal and municipal leaders throughout the state. Focal points of the research included perceptions and concerns about local waterways, awareness of water issues and resources, and interest in learning more about these topics through university-hosted workshops with residents from other communities.

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: Natural Resources Conservation Grantmaking

Quantitative and qualitative research to understand how Alaskans from diverse geographic and ethnic backgrounds view the role of wild salmon in the social, cultural, economic, and ecological life of the state. The research was used to guide grantmaking to help conserve the wild salmon resource in Alaska, including public education and involvement programs and related communications. Baseline and benchmark research was also conducted and used to measure program effectiveness.

Idaho Conservation League: White Cloud Mountain Study

Survey of Idaho voters to understand their opinions about wilderness designations in general, and about a proposal to set aside 500,000 acres of the White Cloud Mountains as a protected wilderness area.

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership: Pollution Prevention Research

Public opinion research with residents along the Columbia River about their understanding of the estuary ecosystem, water pollution problems, and individual methods of pollution prevention.

Metro: Recycle at Work Campaign Research

Focus group research of Portland-area business managers responsible for recycling decisions at their workplace. The purpose of the research was to better understand recycling practices for businesses, perceptions of Metro’s recycle at work program, needs and priorities for recycling, and communications and marketing approaches.

Metro: Climate Smart Communities Study

Qualitative and quantitative research with business leaders, residents, and teens in the Portland area to inform Metro’s efforts to increase the effectiveness of their communications about climate change and sustainable living.

The Salmon Project: The Value of Salmon Research

Multi-part study to understand how Alaskans from diverse backgrounds view the role of wild salmon in the social, cultural, economic, and ecological life of the state. Qualitative and quantitative research explored Alaskans’ personal connection to wild salmon, perceptions of their benefits to the state, concerns over threats to the resource, and attitudes towards economic development.