The Psychological Factors Underlying Participation in Nature Conservation Projects

The goal of the study is to cast light on the psychological factors behind the participation in nature conservation projects aiming to promote biodiversity. Two projects, wetland restoration and forest preservation, are examined through the framework of the VBN (Value-Belief-Norm) theory. A survey was conducted among 120 farmers and 160 forest owners in southern Sweden. Results did not support the expected differences between participants and those not participating, but pointed instead to the influence of knowledge and commitment fro the awareness of threats to biodiversity, ascription of a personal responsibility and the activation of a personal norm. The importance of the interplay between psychological and contextual factors for explaining the participation is also highlighted.