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Barriers to volunteering and other challenges facing community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand

Charlotte Sextus , Karen Hytten, Paul Perry

Abstract

Context: In many countries, community-based conservation plays an important role in protecting natural ecosystems and preserving biodiversity. However, community-based conservation groups face a variety of challenges including recruiting and retaining volunteers, maintaining relationships with stakeholders and monitoring progress towards achieving conservation objectives. In order to address these challenges, it is important to understand the barriers to volunteering, aspects potentially limiting the effectiveness of community-based conservation, and ways to assess and improve effectiveness. Methods: This research explores these barriers and looks at some potential solutions through a case study of community-based conservation in the Manawatū region of New Zealand. An online survey was used to explore the experiences and perspectives of volunteers participating in community-based conservation initiatives. Twenty-one in-depth semi-structured interviews were also carried out with group leaders and other key stakeholders. Key Results and Conclusions: Our research showed that one of the most effective ways of recruiting new volunteers was through social interaction and that the main barriers to participation were time commitment and health issues. Relationships between volunteers, non-government organisations and government agencies also impacted the success of local groups, and environmental monitoring was key to obtaining funding and documenting success.

PC24029  Accepted 18 November 2024

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