Recruitment and Retention of Volunteers in a Citizen Science Network to Detect Invasive Species on Private Lands

摘要: Volunteer citizen monitoring is an increasingly important source of scientific data. We developed a volunteer program for early detection new invasive species by private landowners on their own land. Early species, however, subjects the landowner to potentially costly risk government intervention control species. hypothesized that adult experiential learning module could increase recruitment and retention because learn more about understand social benefits accurately gauge level personal risk. The emphasized group discussion individual reflection risks volunteering included interactions with experts regulatory personnel. A population woodland owners >2 ha managed oak in central Minnesota were randomly assigned treatments: (a) or (b) letter inviting participation. rates data quality similar two methods. However, volunteers who experienced likely recruit than those merely received invitation letter. Thus may indirectly affect volunteers. collection was complex required complete timely activities, yet provided sufficiently high useful organizers. Volunteers can collect are willing assume contribute