Examining Motivations and Recruitment Strategies for Urban Forestry Volunteers

Abstract

Few studies in urban forestry have examined the motivations of urban forestry volunteers. In this research, two social psychological theories (Volunteer Functions Inventory and Volunteer Process Model) are utilized to examine motivations for participating in tree planting activities. The Volunteer Functions Inventory can be used to examine the needs, goals and motivations that individuals seek to fulfill through volunteerism. The Volunteer Process Model sheds light on the antecedents, experiences and consequences of volunteerism at multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal). An understanding of volunteer motivations can aid practitioners in the development and implementation of participatory urban forestry programs that are attractive to stakeholders. We conducted a survey of volunteers who participated in a MillionTreesNYC volunteer planting event and a focus group of urban forestry practitioners. Survey results reveal that volunteers have varied motivations and a limited knowledge of the community level impacts of trees. Results from the focus group reveal that providing education about the benefits of trees and maintaining long-term communication with volunteers are frequently used strategies for engagement. However, the public's lack of knowledge about urban forestry and an inability to connect to audiences are practitioner-identified challenges for recruiting stakeholders to participate in their programs.

Residents’ beliefs about responsibility for the stewardship of park trees and street trees in New York City

“…Urban forestry volunteers have reported that trees planted in parks and in residential neighborhoods produce the same benefits (e.g. esthetic benefits, general environmental improvement, shade, clean air, habitat for wildlife), but to a different degree in each setting, with environmental and community benefits being more associated with park trees than with street trees in residential areas (Moskell, Broussard Allred, & Ferenz, 2010). These beliefs may be dependent upon people's experiences with trees in different settings.…”

Knowledge Co-production at the Research–Practice Interface: Embedded Case Studies from Urban Forestry

“…Others conducted field ecology research on forest restoration initiativesSimmons 2010;Falxa-Raymond 2011). Still others examined community engagement, stewardship, volunteerism, and green jobs(Fisher et al 2011;Moskell et al 2010;Falxa-Raymond et al 2013…”

Free Plants at Your Disposal: Report on a Wellington Community Greening Trial

“…The plants come at no monetary cost to those who volunteer, nevertheless, dues come in the form of expectations, not only to do the planting, but to put in the necessary time and effort through weeding and watering to promote plant survival. The WCC asks environmental community groups to agree to look after plants for at least five years, and such requests are at least in part due to increasing local government budgetary restraints (Moskell, Allred, and Ferenz 2010). However, restraint is not the full story as we might conceive that councils' motivations are as complex as volunteers' and that they are influenced by the work of urban geographers, urban planners, and urban ecologists who suggest that building partnerships between government, developers, and citizens is the most effective way to advance and augment urban greening practices (Jim 2004).…”