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)