Attitudes
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Improve perspectives of local communities towards restoration
Data collection in progress
Iron Curtain to Green Belt
Bulgaria
Problem: There is low awareness about nature restoration and its potential benefits for local communities across the project region.
Action: A number of outreach, education and awareness-raising activities will take place. These include the development of a nature education programme for schools, a nationwide communication campaign, renovation of a visitor centre and the production of a restoration documentary.
Indicator: The project will use surveys to measure local people’s attitudes towards restoration and conservation activities in the project landscape. These surveys will assess whether support and awareness for the project and the potential benefits of restoration improve among local communities over time.
Kids out on a hike, as part of a nature appreciation programme. Photo: BSPB
Kids witnessing experts tagging a bird with a satellite transmitter, as part of a conservation education programme. Photo: BSPB
Methods
Data will be collected using in-person interviews on a random sample of local people. Baseline data exists from several previous surveys carried out in communities in the project region between 2016 and 2023; these data will be filtered to only include surveys carried out within the project landscape and questions related to relevant themes.
New interviews will be carried out towards the end of the project, allowing a comparison to the baseline survey responses. This will allow the project to assess how many people have been reached by their communication efforts during the project timeframe and if their awareness of restoration benefits has increased over time. The attitudes towards the following particular topics of interest will be assessed:
- restoration of natural oak and riparian forests;
- restoration of grasslands;
- protection of threatened species (such as eagles and vultures);
- socio-economic value of restored/preserved landscapes.
People who were reached by project communications (treatment group) and those who were not (control group) will be asked the same questions and a comparison of perspectives will be made between the two groups.
Kids being educated about bird ecology and threats to their survival, part of wider efforts to improve awareness for nature restoration in the area. Photo: BSPB
Kids learning about birds in the field, part of BSPB’S nature education programme. Photo: BSPB
Results
Baseline values will be shared once the analysis of the previous surveys (conducted from 2016-2023) has been completed.
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