Community attachment, beliefs and residents’ civic engagement in stormwater management

Abstract

This study examines the drivers of civic engagement in water resource planning and management in diverse watersheds in the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) metropolitan area. Specifically, it investigates the direct and indirect influence of community attachment on perceived collective efficacy and environmental concern, and on civic engagement. Data were collected through a self-administered mail survey of 1000 residents from selected census tracts within three watersheds. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings suggest that residents’ attachment to their neighborhood through social ties and ties to the natural environment drives their engagement in water resource protection. Residents who are attached to their neighborhood through social ties are likely to be civically engaged in water resource protection. Further, residents’ perceived collective efficacy and their concern about stormwater are significant predictors of civic engagement in water. This study offers strategies for resource professionals and other local actors to best design programs aimed at increasing resident engagement in water resource conservation.