What are some of the main social issues in the WUI?

Demographic changes are leading to much more diverse public attitudes and perceptions, which alter the way forests are used. Increased life expectancy, migration throughout the US and immigration from abroad are making us more diverse as a country than ever before. Statistics reveal that the South’s population is projected to increase by 24 percent by 2020. In the 1990s, non-Hispanic whites made up 72 percent of the South’s population. Of minority populations, Hispanics made up 9 percent, African Americans 17 percent, and Asian and other races just over 2 percent. By 2020, Hispanics are expected to account for about 16 percent of the population, African Americans 20 percent, and Asians and others 3 percent. Non-Hispanic whites will drop to about 61 percent.

As the population becomes more ethnically and culturally diverse, public attitudes, perceptions, and values undergo change. For example, forest ecosystems previously valued for their direct economic benefits are now increasingly valued for the services they provide, such as beauty, clean water, and inspiration. These public attitudes influence how forests and natural resources will be used and managed. Other issues include varied attitudes about private property rights.