Nature connectedness of conservation volunteers

The conservation volunteers in this study undertook habitat management, species monitoring or visitor engagement on behalf of conservation-focused organisations. Volunteers in the study were distinguished by: • Older age, and high levels of educational qualification • High scores on the environmental and nature scales • High levels of duration and frequency of volunteering The volunteers’ commitment to environment and cause is clear, and may well be what attracted them, but that is matched by the desire to be useful and by enjoyment of the volunteering. Organisers therefore require to develop and structure involvement to fulfil those desires if they are to retain volunteer support.