Egbonyi, Darlington Egbe; Ayah, Grace Bassey & Ozoh, Sylvanus Iwora
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between environmental awareness strategies, social media and sustainable utilization of forest resources in Cross River State. To achieve this purpose one null hypothesis was formulated. The study adopted survey research design. The proportionate and simple random sampling techniques were used. The proportionate sampling technique was adopted in selecting twenty-one percent (21%) of the total population of registered farmers in Cross River State. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 605 respondents for the study. A structured questionnaire titled Environmental Awareness Strategies Social Media and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Resources (EASSMSUFR) was the instrument used for data collection in the study. The reliability of the research instrument was established using split-half reliability method. Pearson product moment correlation statistic was considered most appropriate for data analysis. The findings obtained from analysis of data and hypothesis testing revealed that there was a significant relationship between social media and sustainable utilization of forest resources in the study area. It was concluded that sustainable utilization of forest resources can be achieved if the environmental awareness strategy is put in place. Based on these findings it was recommended among others that to tackle problem of unsustainable forest resource utilization social media should be promoted and employed in passing information across to the users on the need to sustainably utilize the forest resources.