Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach

Abstract Urban landscapes play a crucial role in the health of freshwater ecosystems. The task of protecting and restoring urban freshwater waterways requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society, including volunteers. The recruitment and retention of volunteers is often a challenge for com...

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Main Authors: Zack Dorner, Lynette J. McLeod, Taciano L. Milfont, Philip Stahlmann‐Brown, Donald W. Hine, Robbie D. C. Maris, Jane C. Kitson, Natasha A. Tassell‐Matamua
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Conservation Science and Practice
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13258
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author Zack Dorner
Lynette J. McLeod
Taciano L. Milfont
Philip Stahlmann‐Brown
Donald W. Hine
Robbie D. C. Maris
Jane C. Kitson
Natasha A. Tassell‐Matamua
author_facet Zack Dorner
Lynette J. McLeod
Taciano L. Milfont
Philip Stahlmann‐Brown
Donald W. Hine
Robbie D. C. Maris
Jane C. Kitson
Natasha A. Tassell‐Matamua
author_sort Zack Dorner
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Urban landscapes play a crucial role in the health of freshwater ecosystems. The task of protecting and restoring urban freshwater waterways requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society, including volunteers. The recruitment and retention of volunteers is often a challenge for community environmental organizations as urban residents are diverse and influenced by a blend of personal, societal, and environmental factors. We surveyed a representative sample of 1901 urban residents across Aotearoa New Zealand and used the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and audience segmentation to understand the underlying factors influencing volunteering for waterway restoration projects and to identify potential target audiences to recruit new volunteers. We identified four segments within the target audience (“Supportive,” “Receptive but unsure,” “Hesitant and lack opportunity,” and “Reluctant”) each with its own unique profile of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for volunteering. Recommendations for appropriate intervention designs to increase levels of volunteering include providing tailored messaging and events for those who are “Receptive but unsure” or “Hesitant and lack opportunity” and information about volunteering opportunities to “Supportive” individuals. This knowledge lays the groundwork for future initiatives focused on increasing urbanites' volunteering with community freshwater restoration groups.
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spelling doaj-art-bc6d3091b09b4f71982f8dc14d65e6ea2024-11-10T06:27:48ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542024-11-01611n/an/a10.1111/csp2.13258Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approachZack Dorner0Lynette J. McLeod1Taciano L. Milfont2Philip Stahlmann‐Brown3Donald W. Hine4Robbie D. C. Maris5Jane C. Kitson6Natasha A. Tassell‐Matamua7Department of Environment Management Lincoln University Lincoln New ZealandSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing University of Canterbury Christchurch New ZealandSchool of Psychology University of Waikato Tauranga New ZealandManaaki Whenua‐Landcare Research Wellington New ZealandSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing University of Canterbury Christchurch New ZealandWaikato Management School University of Waikato Hamilton New ZealandKitson Consulting Ltd Invercargill New ZealandCentre for Indigenous Psychologies, School of Psychology Massey University Manawatū New ZealandAbstract Urban landscapes play a crucial role in the health of freshwater ecosystems. The task of protecting and restoring urban freshwater waterways requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society, including volunteers. The recruitment and retention of volunteers is often a challenge for community environmental organizations as urban residents are diverse and influenced by a blend of personal, societal, and environmental factors. We surveyed a representative sample of 1901 urban residents across Aotearoa New Zealand and used the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and audience segmentation to understand the underlying factors influencing volunteering for waterway restoration projects and to identify potential target audiences to recruit new volunteers. We identified four segments within the target audience (“Supportive,” “Receptive but unsure,” “Hesitant and lack opportunity,” and “Reluctant”) each with its own unique profile of capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for volunteering. Recommendations for appropriate intervention designs to increase levels of volunteering include providing tailored messaging and events for those who are “Receptive but unsure” or “Hesitant and lack opportunity” and information about volunteering opportunities to “Supportive” individuals. This knowledge lays the groundwork for future initiatives focused on increasing urbanites' volunteering with community freshwater restoration groups.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13258audience segmentationbehavior changeBehavior Change Wheelfreshwater restorationintervention design
spellingShingle Zack Dorner
Lynette J. McLeod
Taciano L. Milfont
Philip Stahlmann‐Brown
Donald W. Hine
Robbie D. C. Maris
Jane C. Kitson
Natasha A. Tassell‐Matamua
Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
Conservation Science and Practice
audience segmentation
behavior change
Behavior Change Wheel
freshwater restoration
intervention design
title Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
title_full Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
title_fullStr Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
title_full_unstemmed Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
title_short Motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration: A segmentation approach
title_sort motivating residents to volunteer for urban waterway restoration a segmentation approach
topic audience segmentation
behavior change
Behavior Change Wheel
freshwater restoration
intervention design
url https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13258
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