Evaluating connections between personal well-being and adoption of landscape best management practices: An audience segmentation study

Laura A Warner; John M Diaz; Edward W Osborne; Faith Oi; Caleb N Reed

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113959

Evaluating connections between personal well-being and adoption of landscape best management practices: An audience segmentation study

J Environ Manage. 2022 Jan 15;302(Pt A):113959. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113959. Epub 2021 Oct 30.

Authors

Laura A Warner¹, John M Diaz², Edward W Osborne³, Faith Oi⁴, Caleb N Reed⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, PO Box 110540, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Center for Land Use Efficiency, University of Florida, 200 Mehrhof Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Electronic address: lsanagorski@ufl.edu.
² Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, PO Box 110540, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida 1200 N Park Road, Plant City, FL, 33563, USA. Electronic address: john.diaz@ufl.edu.
³ Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, PO Box 110540, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Electronic address: ewo@ufl.edu.
⁴ Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Building 970, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Electronic address: foi@ufl.edu.
⁵ Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110240, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Electronic address: caleb.reed@ufl.edu.

PMID: 34731704
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113959

Abstract

Integrated pest management and outdoor water conservation comprise key practices encouraged by nonformal educators who work with the public to address significant issues related to water quality and availability. Disconnects among diverse audiences and educational programs pose challenges in achieving the goals of these types of programs. To discern a potential nonformal educational programming strategy, we conducted audience segmentation research incorporating residential environmental landscape best management practices and compared resulting subgroups' characteristics. We explored this paradigm through the context of Extension education and used a nationally-distributed electronic survey instrument to measure well-being and landscape management perceptions and practices in the United States. We collected 2601 complete survey responses and employed cluster analysis to divide the respondents into homogenous subgroups, followed by analysis of variance and chi-square analyses to identify differences among the subgroups. The group that indicated the highest level of engagement with water conservation and IPM practices also had significantly higher well-being, demonstrating the potential to align IPM education with more commonly promoted conservation practices. Membership in the highest IPM and water conservation group was related to several socio-demographic characteristics, including age, homeownership, and homeowners' association membership. This group was also most likely to engage with educational programs. Understanding these indicators of engagement in landscape best management practices and nonformal education, along with higher well-being, may be useful in determining target audiences and potential engagement with nonformal education programs.

Keywords: Audience segmentation; Integrated pest management; Landscape best management practices; Residential yard management; Water conservation; Well-being.

MeSH terms

Conservation of Water Resources*
Pest Control*
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Water Quality