Communicating research with the public: evaluation of an invasive earthworm education program

Abstract

Ecologists are increasingly encouraged by funding agencies and professional societies to communicate their research with the public. However, most receive relatively little training in how to do this effectively. Furthermore, evaluation of whether such an investment by ecologists actually achieves conservation objectives is rare. We created an education program, involving print, television, radio, and internet media, to increase awareness about earthworm invasions and to discourage anglers from dumping earthworm bait. Using pre-and post-surveys, we evaluated our program's success in reaching its target audience and in changing knowledge and behavior. Few participants (4.1%) recalled seeing the program material and knowledge of the fact that earthworms are non-native in Alberta remained low (15.8% before, 15.1% after). Further, after being told about the negative effects of earthworms in forests, 46.7% of the anglers surveyed stated they would not change their bait disposal behavior in the future, with many commenting that they did not believe earthworms could be harmful. These results highlight the importance of evaluating education programs, rather than assuming they are successful. Given many participants' doubts that earthworms have negative effects, both regulations and education may be needed to reduce earthworm introductions.

Incorporating Information Exposure Into a Theory of Planned Behavior Model to Enrich Understanding of Proenvironmental Behavior

“…Similarly, when participants in a study from Alberta were informed that a type of bait (invasive earthworms) can be harmful to forest systems, nearly half reported that they would still not change their bait disposal behavior, again supporting the idea that knowledge does not necessarily result in behavior change (Cameron, Yuckin, & Bayne, 2013). That study involved a broad educational campaign about invasive earthworms using multiple types of mass media, but very few anglers reported noticing the campaign.…”

Changes in the genetic structure of an invasive earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, Lumbricidae) along an urban – rural gradient in North America

“…Information on the distribution of L. terrestris is primarily based on presence-absence data, but the importance of human-mediated dispersal for the rapid and wide-range expansion of invasive earthworm species is evident (Hendrix et al 2008). Disposal of fishing bait is common (Seidl and Klepis 2011; Cameron et al 2013), and transport of earthworms and their cocoons associated with soil adhering to vehicles has also been identified as a key source of introduction and distribution for some European earthworm species (Holdsworth et al 2007a, b; Cameron et al 2008). However, little is known about the relevance of multiple and repeated introductions of earthworms for the genetic structure and sustainability of populations.…”