Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation Awareness in a Bufferzone Community: An Assessment of Public Engagement Strategies and Tools

A study on the Blue and John Crow Mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals that while public engagement strategies have significantly increased biodiversity knowledge and conservation awareness in the bufferzone community of Millbank, Jamaica, their long-term effectiveness is hindered by inconsistencies, limited funding, and ineffective enforcement. The research highlights a positive trend in conservation awareness due to collaborative efforts from academia, NGOs, and government, but notes that many educational signs have faded over time, reducing their impact. To strengthen stakeholder-community relationships and foster sustained cooperation for conservation, the study recommends diversifying communication methods and using layman terms for better public understanding.

Newell, D., & Garraway, E. (2023). Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation Awareness in a Bufferzone Community: An Assessment of Public Engagement Strategies and Tools. Caribbean Journal of Science, 53(2). https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v53i2.a27