What is it about?
Emerging studies worldwide show the importance of connecting ecological conservation studies with a good understanding of human values to improve conservation outcomes. This study examines what factors motivate people to support conservation for endangered animals like orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants in rural Sabah, Malaysia. The findings show that social impacts, economic benefits, and environmental values were the main reasons people supported conservation. Personal reasons did not seem to affect this relationship.
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Why is it important?
Both personal reasons and environmental awareness (concerns) can influence an individual’s decision to participate in conservation. In this study, these two concepts have distinct applications — personal reasons refer to logistical and personal constraints that can either prevent or facilitate participation, regardless of one’s awareness or concern for the environment. On the contrary, environmental awareness and concerns are motivational values rooted in a person’s understanding and care about environmental issues.
Perspectives
The primary goal of this research is to examine the roles of community participation and identify factors influencing their support for protected area conservation in Kinabatangan, Sabah. Understanding what motivational factors affect community participation is key towards local empowerment in any conservation activity – if there is lower local involvement, then achieving the desired outcome that local people should get benefits might be compromised.
Marcela Pimid
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: How personal values affect conservation initiatives: indigenous community support for conservation in rural Sabah, Malaysia, Asian Education and Development Studies, April 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/aeds-10-2024-0238.
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