Public participation in environmental protection is an essential component of evaluating the effectiveness of ecological and environmental protection. General awareness, social dynamics, and cognitive preferences frequently impact the protection’s impact. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation research on the confluence of mainstream awareness, social factors, and cognitive preferences by building a theoretical model. First, this work employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Second, using the mediation model, the research describes and examines the factors that motivate public involvement in ecological and environmental conservation. Third, the research summarizes the suggested path countermeasures to offer practical advice and helpful ecological and environmental protection solutions. The findings demonstrate that mainstream policy leadership substantially impacts environmental conservation. Leadership in policy matters restricts the group’s natural awareness of social factors. The subjective quality and competence basis in cognitive preferences are significantly influenced by policy leadership. Policy leadership significantly influences the effectiveness of environmental protection through the mediating factor of cognitive preferences. The ability base has a considerable mediating effect on cognitive preferences.