Lead Investigator: Professor Neil Perry (WSU)

Co-Investigator: Dr Claudine Moutou (DCCEEW)

Project Summary: The Community Appreciation of Biodiversity (CAB) survey is regularly conducted in the State of NSW. It measures people’s appreciation of nature and biodiversity along three dimensions: cognitive (knowledge-based) appreciation, affective (attitude-based appreciation), and behavioural appreciation (action-based appreciation).

In the workshops that led to the formulation of the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) Research Implementation Strategy, it was highlighted that attitudinal change is key to achieving the goals of the CPCP. However, we must understand and measure community attitudes to biodiversity in order to improve stakeholders’ attitudes to nature in the Cumberland Plain of Western Sydney.

Western Sydney has a distinct demographic composition,  encompassing more Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people than the rest of NSW. This area is also experiencing a streak of economic and population growth. Thus, it is imperative to research how residents of Western Sydney appreciate nature.

We propose to conduct surveys and focus groups based on the CAB methodology in Western Sydney and monitor the outcomes. The mixed method approach will also involve analysis of CAB results specific to Cumberland Plain postcodes. This will provide us insight into the trends in attitudes of different cohorts of people and opportunities to change attitudes.