Factors influencing public participation in conservation activities in urban areas: A case study in Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

The long-term success of conservation projects, particularly in urban areas, often depends on local buy-in and participation. However, it can be difficult to recruit local residents to participate in community-based management. Here we use an urban conservation project in Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, as a case study to examine the factors associated with the willingness of residents to participate in five different conservation-related activities. We aimed to understand important factors that consist urban environmental stewardship and civic ecology in an Asian culture; Japan. Our survey of residents suggests that participation was related to an individual’s expectation that participating in the conservation activity would enhance social interactions among residents, their belief that the urban area lacked adequate “green” habitat features, such as gardens and other plantings, and their sense of responsibility to maintain the quality of the environment. Additionally, younger residents were more willing to participate than older residents. Our results suggest that emphasizing social interactions in conservation activities and highlighting the need for and social and aesthetic benefits of conservation improvements could enhance participation in these conservation activities. Particular motivating factors may vary from place to place, particularly across cultural boundaries, but some factors appear to be general across cultures. In cultures that emphasize collective responsibility and action, such as in Japan, it may be important to foster residents’ sense that it is their responsibility to conserve the natural environment. We believe that greater understanding of the interests and motivation of the public to participate in conservation projects will enhance their efficacy.