The effectiveness of conservation policy is often evaluated simply based on its biological effectiveness: is the policy protecting the species or habitat it was designed to? Such analyses often fall short, however, as they ignore the human dimension to conservation. Perspectives that account for human needs are increasingly necessary, as more and more policy is being implemented in highly populated areas rather than remote wilderness. This research aims to fill that gap by evaluating the social implications of a specific conservation policy, the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) in San Diego County. MSCP is a countywide program, finalized in 1998, that aims to protect over 85 species through a system of continuous preserves connected by corridors, the land for which is to be acquired through the direct acquisition of conservation easements Until now this program has only been evaluated from a biological perspective. Since this program has the potential to affect the lives of over 2.9 million residents, a social analysis is strongly needed. Although much research has been done regarding the effects of conservation policy on residents, this study differs in that it examines the social attitudes and environmental perceptions of residents and the environmental professionals who are involved with the implementation and continued monitoring of the program. The goal of this research is to ascertain how increased insight into environmental perceptions and social attitudes can lead to increased communication and more effective conservation policy implementation.
