Community perception of natural conservation - the case of Zealandia

Community participation in natural conservation projects is crucial for their sustainable success. It has been found that local community participation and engagement depends on several factors: Overall awareness of the organisation and its work, perceived personal benefits, and the availability of information as well as monetary and temporal resources. This research explores current local awareness and perception of a tourism-based natural conservation project, the urban eco-sanctuary Zealandia in Wellington, New Zealand, whose aim it is to restore native New Zealand flora and fauna while connecting people with nature. Findings highlight that awareness of Zealandia in general is high, yet engagement especially amongst younger locals is limited due to accessibility and associated costs. Zealandia is predominantly known as a wildlife-based tourist attraction with strong educational components and is perceived to have a strong positive impact on the region's biodiversity - yet its focus on flora as well as their contributions to research, the local economy, and its engagement opportunities through volunteering and internships are less visible, perhaps due to its limited presence in public spaces. Addressing these gaps in knowledge while creating better visibility and accessibility is expected to lead to greater community engagement and participation.