Information-related constraints on the effectiveness of environmental volunteers: a case study

Abstract

Through their involvement in stewardship groups, volunteers play an important role in environmental protection and rehabilitation. However, they depend upon a flow of information, much of it specialised and technical, from government agencies and other sources. An interview-based case study of a Brisbane stewardship group indicated that group effectiveness was limited by difficulties in accessing specialised information, information overload, comprehension of information and a reliance on the group coordinator to disseminate information. Implications of these constraints are discussed.