Christopher Rudolph

This research project is an analysis of public opinion in the Great Lakes region (i.e.,socio-demographic characteristics, values and beliefs) and an assessment of how these characteristics are related to watershed governance actions using LASSO regression and spatial analysis. The Great Lakes Regional Poll is the data source for the project. This study supplements previous research with the GLRP. Consistency of findings with previous work are discussed within the context of the Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB) literature. Geo-spatial mapping of residuals is also introduced as a diagnostic tool for model performance. Four consistent predictors were identified. Two of these (Political Ideology and Indigenous Identity) are found to be consistent with previous work. The findings from this research related to these predictors gives insight for policy makers as well as researchers to develop theory and strategies related to future public engagement in the Great Lakes region.