Invasive Species Public Attitude Survey

Bruce Lauber, Nancy Connelly, and Richard Stedman

Geographic Regions

Characteristics to MeasureAwarenessConcernKnowledgeStakeholder groups

BehaviorsWillingness to change behaviorsMessage testingInformation sources

Working AssumptionMost residents of New York State:

Low awareness of invasive speciesLittle knowledge of invasive species

Telephone Screening

Survey

Follow-up Web/Mail Survey

Stakeholder

Interviews

Awareness of Invasive SpeciesBefore I called today, had you ever heard the

term “invasive species?”It means non-native plants and animals that

can cause harm to the environment, the economy, and society. Have you ever heard of plants or animals like that?

Follow-up Survey and InterviewsQuestions that require awareness of invasive

speciesStakeholder-specific questions

Stakeholder GroupsFollow-up Survey

AnglersBoatersCampersHikersGardeners

InterviewsWater gardenersAquarium ownersFarmers/Nursery

stock growers

TimelineTelephone screening survey

Preliminary results from partial sample (11/2014)

Preliminary results from full sample (12/2014)Full results (1/2015)

Follow-up web/mail survey (4/2015)Stakeholder interviews (6/2015)

Results From Telephone Screening Survey

MethodsSampled by geographic regions using

PRISMs as underlying structureConducted enough interviews in each

region to make region-specific estimates, and combine for statewide estimates

Conducted telephone interviews between September and November, 2014.

Response Rate79% of those reached by telephone

completed the interview3,406 interviews were completed8% refused to be interviewed3% could not be interviewed due to a

language problem (14% in NYC & Long Island region)

Organization of Results

General awareness of invasive speciesStakeholder characterizationSources of information

Overall Awareness of Invasive Species

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Perc

ent

Know the term "invasive species" or definition Know something about invasive species

Awareness of Select Invasive Species

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Water chestnut Wild pigs Zebra mussels Wild parsnip Emerald ashborer

Hydrilla Kudzu

Never heard of it Recognize name only Know something about it

Example: Awareness of Zebra Mussels

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

NYC & Long Island Lower Hudson &Catskill

Capital/Mohawk Adirondack & SLELO Finger Lakes Western NY STATEWIDE

Never heard of it Recognize name only Know something about it

Participation by Stakeholder Groups

Stakeholder Groups Participated in past yearGardeners 55.8

Hikers 30.6

Anglers 19.7

Campers 17.1

Boaters 11.4

Aquarium Owners 9.2

Water Gardeners 4.9

Farmers or Nursery Stock Growers 2.4

% Who Know Something by Stakeholder Groups

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Gardeners Hikers Anglers Campers Boaters AquariumOwners

WaterGardeners

Farmers orNursery Stock

Growers

Perc

ent w

ho k

now

som

ethi

ng a

bout

inva

sive

spec

ies

Results From Follow-up Web/Mail Survey

Response Rate47% responded1,043 respondents

Organization of ResultsKnowledge of invasive speciesConcern about invasive speciesStakeholder behaviors

Knowledge of Invasive Species

NYC-L

ong

Isla

nd

Lower

Hud

son

Capita

l Dist

ict

Adiro

ndac

ks-S

t. Law

renc

e

Finge

r Lak

es

Wes

tern

NY

0102030405060708090

100

Know Something

Concern about Invasive Species

NYC-L

ong

Isla

nd

Lower

Hud

son

Capita

l Dist

ict

Adiro

ndac

ks-S

t. Law

renc

e

Finge

r Lak

es

Wes

tern

NY

0102030405060708090

100

Moderately or Very Concerned

Boater Behaviors83% always drain water-holding

compartments7% never do

79% always clean vegetation off boat3% never do

62% always dry boats before using in another water body17% never do

34% always wash off their boat when they get home18% never do

Camping: Bring firewood from home

Never Some of the time Most of the time Always0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

Camping: Take leftover firewood home from campsite

Never Some of the time Most of the time Always0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

Camping: Clean camping equipment

Never Some of the time Most of the time Always0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

Hiker Behaviors92% never take plants they find when they

are hiking home with them to plant8% sometimes do

Hikers: Clean off clothes and hiking gear

Never Some of the time Most of the time Always0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

%

Gardeners

0

20

40

60

80

100

%

TimelineTelephone screening survey (complete)

http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/pubs/HDRUReport15-2.pdf

Follow-up web/mail survey (4/2015)Stakeholder interviews (6/2015)