KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH STUDY

Dr. Thea Hagan is inviting you to volunteer for a research study. Dr. Hagan is a Wildlife Researcher at Clemson University conducting the study with The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Seth Thompson, Clemson Graduate Student and District Wildlife Biologist with DWR.

Study Purpose: The purpose of the research is to improve the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource's Virginia BearWise Community Cost-Share Program by seeking input from the local government perspective. Survey questions aim to gather information about program awareness and potential as well as outcome-based information from those locale's that have received funding from the program.

Voluntary Consent: Participation is voluntary and the only alternative is to not participate. You will not be punished in any way if you decide not to be in the study or to stop taking part in the study.

Activities and Procedures: Your part in the study will be to take a short survey consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions.

Participation Time: It will take you about 10 minutes to take this survey.

Risks and Discomforts: We do not anticipate any risks or discomforts from taking this survey.

Possible Benefits: Your input and perspective on human-black bear interactions are invaluable and could help improve this cost-share program and black bear management in your community.

EXCLUSION/INCLUSION REQUIREMENTS

This survey is offered to members of the Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Association of Counties, and previous recipients of funding from the Virginia BearWise Community Cost-Share Program.

PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

The results of this study may be published in scientific journals, professional publications, or educational presentations.

· The information collected during the study will not be used or distributed for future research studies.

· Identifiable information collected during the study will be removed and the de-identified information will not be used or distributed for future research studies.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions or concerns about your rights in this research study, please contact the Clemson University Office of Research Compliance (ORC) at 864-656-0636 or irb@clemson.edu. If you are outside of the Upstate South Carolina area, please use the ORC’s toll-free number, 866-297-3071. The Clemson IRB will not be able to answer some study-specific questions. However, you may contact the Clemson IRB if the research staff cannot be reached or if you wish to speak with someone other than the research staff.

If you have any questions about or interest in the Virginia BearWise Cost-Share Program, should you have any study-related questions or if any problems arise, please contact Seth Thompson (DWR Biologist and Clemson grad student) at 276-780-1203 or Seth.Thompson@dwr.virginia.gov

CONSENT

By participating in the study, you indicate that you have read the information written above, been allowed to ask any questions, and you are voluntarily choosing to take part in this research. You do not give up any legal rights by taking part in this research study. Clicking "yes" below indicates you have read and understand the above statements and consent to participating in the study.