Ecological Restoration: A Catalyst for New Forms of Civic Engagement - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Ecological Restoration: A Catalyst for New Forms of Civic Engagement Amanda Sorensen Collaborators: Rebecca Jordan, Myla Aronson, Lindsay Campbell, Michelle Johnson, Bill Hallman Research Assistance: Gloria Blaise, Daniel Betz

Socio-Ecological Systems Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Biophysical Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Social Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Socio-Ecological Systems Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Socio-Ecological Systems Resiliency Gunderson & Holling, 2002 Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Threats Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Socio-Ecological Systems Gunderson & Holling, 2002 Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Jamaica Bay Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Restoration Experiment • Plant species were selected by their local nativity, occurrence in the maritime grasslands, shrublands, and forest in Jamaica Bay, and aesthetic qualities to encourage the use these plants species instead of traditional garden exotics. The species include: • Northern Bayberry – Morella pensylvanica • Beach Plum – Prunus maritima • Winged Sumac – Rhus copallinum • American Holly – Ilex opaca • Seaside Goldenrod – Solidago sempervirens • Round-headed Bushclover – Lespedeza capitata • Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca • New York Aster – Symphyotrichum novi-belgii • Hyssop-leaved Boneset – Eupatorium hysopifolium • Little Bluestem Grass – Schizachyrium scoparium • Purple Love Grass – Eragrostis spectabilis Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Plots Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Goals • Native Plant Views – Valuation of native plants • Stewardship Capacity – Motivations (Grese et al. 2001) – Current stewardship (Stewmap) – Future desires to engage in stewardship Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Goals • Native Plant Views – Valuation of native plants • Stewardship Capacity – Motivations (Grese et al. 2001) – Current stewardship (Stewmap) – Future desires to engage in stewardship • Identity Frames (Wondolldeck and Bryan, 2003) – View of Climate Change – Views of Community Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Methods • Individual Survey (47 Items) – View of Community – Climate Change Views – Plant Views – Stewardship Views/Motivations – Demographics • Visit parks on weekend/weekday during peak summer use hours. – Randomized sampling of park users. Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Plant Views Very Attractive Somewhat Attractive Not at all Attractive Northern Bayberry – Morella pensylvanica 11 17 23 Beach Plum – Prunus maritima 35 12 6 Winged Sumac – Rhus copallinum 25 13 12 American Holly – Ilex opaca 17 19 16 Seaside Goldenrod – Solidago sempervirens 28 13 13 Round-headed Bushclover – Lespedeza capitata 22 17 12 Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca 38 9 6 New York Aster – Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 44 5 4 Hyssop-leaved Boneset – Eupatorium hysopifolium 20 17 13 Little Bluestem Grass – Schizachyrium scoparium 17 13 22 Purple Love Grass – Eragrostis spectabilis 21 13 17 Japanese Stiltgrass – Microstegium vimineum 17 12 21 Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Plant Views Very Attractive Somewhat Attractive Not at all Attractive Northern Bayberry – Morella pensylvanica 11 17 23 Beach Plum – Prunus maritima 35 12 6 Winged Sumac – Rhus copallinum 25 13 12 American Holly – Ilex opaca 17 19 16 Seaside Goldenrod – Solidago sempervirens 28 13 13 Round-headed Bushclover – Lespedeza capitata 22 17 12 Common Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca 38 9 6 New York Aster – Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 44 5 4 Hyssop-leaved Boneset – Eupatorium hysopifolium 20 17 13 Little Bluestem Grass – Schizachyrium scoparium 17 13 22 Purple Love Grass – Eragrostis spectabilis 21 13 17 Japanese Stiltgrass – Microstegium vimineum 17 12 21 Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Plant Views Q. Would you consider planting any of these plants in your own yard? No Yard/Cannot Landscape 24% No 7% Maybe 10% Yes 60% Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Likes Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Dislikes Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Individual Survey Outcomes • Unique Park Identity – Springfield Park: Community oriented, motivated by making the world a better place. • Amenities, built area surrounding community, perceived safety. • Increased climate knowledge=Increased environmental policy support – Also links to stewardship with caring for restoration and park clean ups. • Community gardening seen as an added value, where notion of “citizen science” was viewed as a duty. – If you feel climate change is a critical issue, increased willingness to help scientists in ecological restoration. Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Takeaways • Develop visible materials for plants. • Appeal to people’s environmental knowledge, not necessarily their environmentalist identity, to engage people in stewardship activities. • Particularly climate related stewardship. • Individuals’ desire to participate in stewardship activities did not have any relationship to commitment to participate with any frequency. Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Future Directions • Continuing with Community Stakeholder Semi-led Interview – Relationship to Park – Stewardship Views/Motivations – Current Engagement with Restoration • Follow up interviews about stewardship and costal restoration with residents. – Effects of Framing – Motivations to encourage civic stewardship Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016

Questions? Center for Resilient Landscapes- October 6 th , 2016