Date of Award

3-2016

Degree Name

MS in Agribusiness

Department/Program

Agribusiness

Advisor

Wayne Howard

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to show how organizations involved with the Hearst Ranch Conservation Easement negotiations might have used the feedback loop characteristic of two-way Symmetrical communication theory to reach consensus on the Hearst Ranch Conservation Agreement.

Conservation easements are complex situations and each has separate and distinct goals, constraints, compromises, funding mechanisms, and public values.

This study analyzed public documents from seven different organizations that provided input in the public consultations regarding the Hearst Ranch Conservation Easement, which completed in 2005. This study concluded that one of the communication methods adopted during the Hearst Ranch Conservation Negotiation was Hunt and Grunig’s two-way symmetrical communication theory.

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