Contrasting visions of science in ecological restoration: Expert-lay dynamics between professional practitioners and volunteers

摘要: Abstract Ecological restoration as a popular form of volunteer participation has been praised an example democratic natural resource management. However, the involvement volunteers in projects guided by professionals does not necessarily ensure knowledge exchange and production. Drawing insights from citizen science political ecology, this paper investigates role mediating dynamics between professional practitioners volunteers. Using case studies ecological programs at two university arboreta American Midwest, argues that contrasting visions led to conflicts presented challenges for institutions genuinely engage public contributing local framing management priorities. While both groups emphasized practical aspect guiding work, they differed how conceptualized humans restoration, work priorities, apply scientific theories methods restoration. Moreover, arboreta, defined institutional identity claims authority further delineated boundaries As result, distrust, tensions, lack engagement, different levels desired existed these seemingly participatory programs. Theoretically, contributes cross-fertilization ecology underscoring politics (and its interpretations) challenging expert-lay environmental volunteering Practical recommendations are included deconstructing hierarchy moving toward practice.