Public lands and forest-based climate solutions: perceptions, policy support, and management preferences

This study examines public support for forest-based climate solutions on U.S. public lands using data from a nonprobability Qualtrics panel of U.S. adults. We use a partial proportional-odds model to examine support for prioritizing carbon storage, and a multivariate ordered probit model to jointly evaluate support for six forest-carbon management strategies. Respondents expressed stronger support for restoration- and resilience-oriented strategies, particularly post-disturbance recovery and wildfire-risk reduction, than for limiting forest conversion. Climate-change awareness and support for immediate climate action were positively associated with carbon prioritization and all six management strategies. Carbon concern and familiarity were also positively associated with carbon prioritization, although their relationships with individual strategies varied. Among public-land values, ecological value was positively associated with most management strategies, while social value was particularly relevant to disturbance-risk reduction and several restoration-oriented strategies. We also found that trust in scientists and public agencies, public-land visitation, age, distance, and household income showed significant but varying associations with carbon prioritization and individual management strategies. These findings indicate that public acceptance of forest-carbon management is strategy-specific and reflects climate orientations, public-land values, familiarity, and institutional trust. Public-land agencies should link carbon objectives to clear ecological and community benefits, communicate management trade-offs transparently, and use strategy-specific engagement.