Lab members Kristin Gibson (left) and Olivia Erskine (right) in Portland, Maine.

Lamm Lab members Kristin Gibson and Olivia Erskine traveled to Portland, Maine for the 2023 International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR) conference. The conference addressed issues including environmental justice, global resource management, and the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources. During the five-day conference, Kristin and Olivia attended presentations by scholars from all over the world and presented their own work.

Research Presented

Overcoming barriers to food access in rural areas through agro-ecosystems

Authors: Kristin E. Gibson, Olivia M. Erskine, Catherine E. Sanders, & Alexa J. Lamm

A young woman discusses her research poster with another young researcher in a conference hall.
Kristin Gibson talks to another conference attendee about her poster

Gibson presented a poster about community gardens for the Healthier Together Georgia program. The research sought to determine characteristics of rural Georgia residents who are interested in gardening. The study found two groups of respondents and they were subsequently termed gardeners and non-gardeners. Age and employment status were important demographics for the groups. The full abstract can be found on the IASNR website linked here.

Phasing out single-use plastics: Communication strategies for National Parks

Authors: Kristin E. Gibson, Alexa J. Lamm, Jessica Holt, Kevan W. Lamm, & Kyle Maurice Woosnam

Gibson also presented about communication strategies for National Parks related to phasing out single-use plastics. The research focused on single-use bottled water consumption in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The study found knowledge was an important variable in respondents’ intention to use single-use bottled water. Moving forward, National Parks should test signage and other communication platforms aimed at increasing knowledge levels as it may provide an effective communication strategy for decreasing purchase intention. The full abstract can be found on the IASNR website linked here.

Contributing to a greater cause: Does personal engagement in water conservation matter?

Authors: Olivia M. Erskine, Kristin E. Gibson, & Alexa J. Lamm

A young woman stands beside a television on which she presents research findings in a research presentation.
Master’s student, Olivia Erskine, presents her research on water conservation.

Olivia’s presentation addresssed water conservation issues in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The three states have been battling over two shared river basins for the past two decades in what is commonly referred to as the “water wars.” The battle over freshwater sources and the impacts of climate change affecting the water supply was the reason we surveyed residents of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama on their intent to engage in water conservation behavior and their donation behavior toward water efforts. The study used the concepts of self-identity (as a conservationist) and intention to engage in donation behavior as the conceptual framework. Donation can be a way to increase self-identity as a conservationist through discretionary income or volunteering. The purpose of this study was to determine if personal water conservation behavioral intent impacted contributions to organizations supporting water conservation so effective communication strategies can be developed. The results showed personal water conservation behavioral intent and income level were significant predictors of civic behavior (I donate to a water organization; I am a member of a water organization; I own a specialty license plate that supports water efforts; and I volunteer for water protection events). There were a few exceptions for significant prediction mainly at the highest income level where respondents were less likely to be a member of a water organization, own a specialty license plate, and volunteer their time for water efforts. These results can aid in effective communication strategies to encourage water conservation at different income levels. Environmental communicators should encourage those who identify as conservationists to increase their self-identity through donation whether they already participate in a form of donation or not. Those who already donate should be encouraged to give to water organizations in other ways, specifically ways that send normative messages to the public. The full abstract can be found on the IASNR website linked here.