Using human behaviour change strategy to improve the management of invasive species

Abstract

If you ask engagement specialists about their biggest challenge managing invasive animals, many will acknowledge than managing pests is difficult but managing people is harder. People are an integral, but often neglected, part of invasive species management. An impressive set of technologies and recommended best practices for detecting and controlling invasive species are available but achieving effective outcomes depends strongly on the people responsible for their application. People need to be sufficiently empowered and motivated to accept and implement best practices, as well as be dissuaded from engaging in behaviours that undermine invasive species management objectives. Getting everyone on the same page can be incredibly challenging. Engagement specialists are often tasked with attempting to modify the current behaviour of a highly diverse set of people who possess a range of values, enterprise-interests and skill sets.