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The dynamics of volunteer motivations for engaging in the management of invasive plants: insights from a mixed-methods study on Scottish seabird islands

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  • Marie Pagès
  • Anke Fischer
  • René van der Wal

Abstract

Volunteers play an important role in the management of natural habitats. Understanding what motivates volunteers to join conservation initiatives and how motivations change over time is essential to enhance the environmental and social benefits of their engagement. Using a repeated qualitative survey and semi-structured interviews, we explore volunteers’ initial and sustained motivations in the management of the invasive tree mallow (Lavatera arborea) on Scottish seabird islands. Caring for nature, the performance of volunteering activities, and social interactions were the main drivers of involvement. Over time, motivations were shaped by the interplay between individual expectations and experiences with the social and ecological context. They changed from identifiable functions to more complex attachments to the place and the group. We discuss the limitations of functional methodologies in making sense of these attachments and of the performative nature of environmental volunteering. We then explore the practical implications of the dynamics of volunteering motivations.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie Pagès & Anke Fischer & René van der Wal, 2018. "The dynamics of volunteer motivations for engaging in the management of invasive plants: insights from a mixed-methods study on Scottish seabird islands," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(5-6), pages 904-923, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:61:y:2018:i:5-6:p:904-923
    DOI: 10.1080/09640568.2017.1329139
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    Cited by:

    1. Dr. Muhammad Arshad & Muhammad Jawad Kashif & Dr. Fouzia Ashfaq & Dr. Ghulam Abid, 2023. "Volunteers are not Volunteering to Sacrifice their Objectives," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 12(4), pages 23-32.
    2. Chen Ding & Michael A. Schuett, 2020. "Predicting the Commitment of Volunteers’ Environmental Stewardship: Does Generativity Play a Role?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.

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