Grant: 26-057R
Project Title: Strengthening Conservation Through Community: A Comprehensive Assessment of Human Capital in Florida's Sea Turtle Conservation
Project Manager: Cyndi Stinson
Organization: University of Florida - School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics (Research and Educational Institute)
Grant Amount: $4,920.13
Completion Date:
Summary: This groundbreaking research will conduct the first comprehensive, statewide assessment of Florida's sea turtle conservation volunteers whose contributions have never been systematically quantified despite their foundational role in protecting globally significant populations. Employing an innovative mixed-methods design, this study will document volunteer demographics and time commitments, analyze motivations using validated instruments, calculate economic value through systematic monetization of volunteer hours, and create pioneering geospatial "flow maps" that visualize how conservation knowledge spreads from volunteers into communities. The research directly addresses conservation science's long-standing call for rigorous social science integration while supporting FWC Marine Turtle Protection Program goals of population monitoring, mortality reduction, and public education. By surveying Florida's entire permit listed sea turtle volunteer population and rehabilitation facility volunteers followed by strategic follow-up focus groups, this project will generate the most extensive dataset ever compiled on sea turtle volunteer engagement. The study's unique longitudinal component, replicating key elements of the landmark Bradford & Israel (2004) study, will provide unprecedented insights into how volunteer motivations and demographics have evolved over two decades. The geospatial visualization will map the "conservation footprint" of volunteer networks, providing the first tangible evidence of how conservation knowledge and behaviors ripple out from dedicated volunteers into the broader community. By translating the anecdotal importance of volunteerism into a robust, quantifiable model, this project will establish Florida's program as a national leader in community participatory conservation.
Results: