Restoration ecologists and park managers continually seek ways to improve long-term community engagement in conservation projects. Community members like to participate as volunteers in short-term projects, but motivating continued involvement in restoration proves much more difficult. This project examines the factors motivating community engagement in Lincoln Memorial Garden (LMG), a 100-acre woodland and prairie restoration area in Springfield, IL. LMG enjoys impressive levels of long-term engagement and financial support from community members. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with local community members active with LMG, we analyze the reasons why LMG volunteers and visitors are drawn to this place and why they choose to invest significant time, energy, and emotion in its maintenance and continued growth. Our results have implications for the management of similar nature areas and conservation projects.

Presented by:

Megan Styles

Amy McEuen

Environmental Studies Program