Assessing Graduate Student Volunteer Impacts and Stewardship Reciprocity
| dc.contributor | Ching, Casey | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Dacks, Rachel | |
| dc.contributor.author | Boucher, Olivia, E. | |
| dc.contributor.department | Natural Resources and Environmental Management | |
| dc.contributor.instructor | Litton, Creighton M. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-05-13T18:52:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-05-13T18:52:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05 | |
| dc.description.course | Master’s in Environmental Management (MEM) Capstone Proposals | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10125/108110 | |
| dc.subject | Conservation volunteers | |
| dc.subject | Environmental stewardship | |
| dc.subject | Community organization | |
| dc.title | Assessing Graduate Student Volunteer Impacts and Stewardship Reciprocity | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dcterms.abstract | The profound effects of engaging with nature are widely acknowledged, with a growing interest in the potential advantages associated with purposeful activities within natural settings such as environmental volunteerism. Impacts of engaging with nature can be conceptualized as cultural ecosystem services (CES), encompassing the intangible benefits ecosystems provide, including a sense of connection to both people and place which contributes to overall well-being. The primary objective of the proposed study is to identify the CES gained through participation in biocultural restoration, including positive impacts on mental health, a heightened sense of place, and strengthened social connections. The proposed research will involve qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews of graduate students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa involved in biocultural restoration projects in He‘eia, Hawai‘i (conducted Spring 2024). Graduate students are a demographic known to face mental health and well-being challenges, and as such CES may hold particular significance. Further, participation in biocultural restoration may be especially valuable in academic contexts. Interview findings will inform the development of a survey (to be conducted Fall 2024), providing valuable guidance for integrating CES assessment into biocultural restoration monitoring and fulfilling a recognized need voiced by environmental stewardship groups in Hawai‘i. More holistic monitoring will facilitate meaningful and effective communication of the comprehensive benefits associated with biocultural restoration to funding entities. Resources needed to complete this project include built relationships with the staff of the Heʻeia NERR, funding for a recording device, transcription software, analysis software, conference registration, and publication costs. | |
| dcterms.description | Includes 16-page report titled "Assessing Graduate Student Volunteer Impacts and Stewardship Reciprocity" | |
| dcterms.extent | 16 pages | |
| dcterms.language | English | |
| dcterms.rights | In Copyright | |
| dcterms.rightsHolder | Boucher, Olivia | |
| dcterms.spatial | Hawaii--Oahu | |
| dcterms.spatial | Hawaii--Heʻeia |