DO WILDLIFE GARDENING PROGRAMS SPROUT? Investigating how program features influence program success

Amy Shaw - PhD Candidate& Dr Kelly Miller

School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin University, Australia

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

• World becoming increasingly urbanised - approximately 50% currently living in urban areas

• Urban landscapes in Australia are changing – less private open space

• Fragments and reduces native vegetation, and typically results in dramatic losses of indigenous species

WHAT DO PROGRAMS NEED TO BE ACHIEVING?

• Need to be successful in attracting native wildlife to yards

• Should be educating their members on biodiversity and native gardening practices

• Should have the capacity to recruit unengaged members of the community

WHAT IS BEING RESEARCHED?

• This study aims to fill the gap by investigating which program features impact upon the success of these programs in terms of;

- Reported success in attracting native wildlife, including the degree to which the garden can ensure non native species are not attracted- Success in educating members about biodiversity- Success in recruiting participants that were not already engaging in wildlife gardening, or planning to do so

and thereby creating some guiding ‘best practice’ principles for wildlife gardening programs.

HOW?• Wildlife gardening program member

surveys - online (n=261, 12%)

• Face-to-face interviews with wildlife gardeners (n=10)

• Program features examined were; site assessments, indigenous plants or vouchers, welcome packs, and newsletters.

SUCCESS IN ATTRACTING

WILDLIFE

• 67% of respondents indicated that native wildlife had been attracted to their yard

• No program features were found to influence the likelihood of participants reporting the attraction of native wildlife

IMPLICATIONS• From a program development point of view,

it is concerning that no program features were found to influence the attraction of native wildlife

• Raises the question of whether or not wildlife gardening programs should invest the funds and human resources required to implement interactive features if they do not equate to greater biodiversity outcomes

IMPLICATIONS Why did site assessments show no benefit to attracting native wildlife?

- Individuals involved in wildlife gardening programs undertake their own research into ecologically sound habitat development

- Self reporting has blurred the results, for example it is possible that the level of wildlife in one’s yard has not changed, and that participation has merely enhanced their observation of their garden

SUCCESS IN EDUCATING PARTICPANTS

• 75% indicated knowledge of biodiversity increased through program participation

• Site assessments, indigenous plants or vouchers, and newsletters were found to increase reported biodiversity knowledge increases

• No significant relationship was found between increases in self reported biodiversity knowledge and success in attracting wildlife

IMPLICATIONS• This seems to negate our assertion that

programs need to be educating participants about biodiversity to ensure that biodiversity is contributed to positively

• “I really feel that the program together with associated workshops etc have really made it possible to regenerate our block of land in a logical and successful way. I feel I have so many avenues to turn to for advice. I don't think it would be possible to achieve this alone.”

SUCCESS RECRUITING UNENGAGED PARTICPANTS • The provision of site assessments and

indigenous plants or vouchers were features found to increase the chances of previously unengaged participants joining

• These are money saving and time saving features

• Getting a street involved in planting indigenous plants to help a local species

• 22% of the street participated

• No formal follow up but anecdotal reports indicate the project was successful in attracting the bird

• Uses social marketing principles

STREETSCAPING

• Need research on how social media can contribute to engagement

Best Practice:• Streetscaping initiatives• Interactive citizen science • Site assessments• Indigenous plants or vouchers• Newsletters

SUGGESTIONS FOR PROGRAMS AND FUTURE RESEARCH

THANK YOU