An Evaluation of Corporate Perceptions of a Payment for Ecosystem Services Program in the McKenzie River Basin

Abstract

This report presents the results of three business engagement focus groups conducted in March 2013. The primary purpose of the focus groups was to determine corporate interest in sponsoring payment for ecosystem service programs. A secondary purpose was to determine local business interest in supporting a voluntary incentive program for watershed services being developed by a local utility to protect source water quality. These focus groups are part of a larger research project analyzing the potential for utilities to act as local Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) marketplace drivers. The research included three focus groups with a total of 17 business participants from the Eugene Springfield area.