Environmental Performance Information Use by Conservation Agency Staff

Area of Science:

• Environmental science
• Conservation biology
• Water resource management

Background:

• Performance-based conservation is vital for adapting to dynamic environmental conditions.
• Limited research exists on how conservation organization staff utilize environmental performance information.
• Understanding factors influencing data use is key to improving conservation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify attitudinal, policy, and organizational factors affecting the use of water quality information by Soil and Water Conservation District staff.
• To explore the relationship between staff characteristics, regulatory frameworks, and the application of environmental data in conservation planning.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 277 staff members of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
• Statistical analysis was employed to identify variables associated with increased use of water quality performance information.

Main Results:

• Prosocial motivation (belief in helping people and natural resources), perceived data trustworthiness, and the presence of a U.S. Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standard significantly correlated with higher information use.
• Staff discretion in prioritizing local programs was also a key factor associated with greater utilization of water quality data.
• Organizational support, including resources and flexibility, appears crucial for effective data-driven conservation.

Conclusions:

• Conservation programs benefit from staff who are intrinsically motivated and trust the environmental data they use.
• Policy elements like TMDL designations and organizational factors like staff autonomy can drive the adoption of performance information.
• Investing in motivated staff and providing them with the tools and flexibility to use environmental data is essential for enhancing conservation effectiveness in changing environments.