Understanding the motivations and barriers to adoption of environmentally sustainable activities around Kibale National Park, Uganda

Kibale National Park (KNP) is a biodiversity hotspot. Covering 795 km2 it is home to the most diverse population of primates in Africa including 13 species and the largest populations of Eastern Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in East Africa. Rural communities around the park rely heavily on subsistence agriculture and natural resources that surround the park for survival. Population density near the park is greater than 300 people per kilometer, exacerbating pressure on natural resources around and within the park. UNITE for the Environment (UNITE) is a conservation organization working with KNP that provides communities with conservation education programs that address local environmental needs and promotes sustainable solutions to support the protection of this important primate habitat. In prior work, UNITE found considerable variation in how well these sustainable activities are adopted. To understand the factors that influence uptake of different sustainable practices by households, we conducted a community survey on participants' motivations and barriers. Results highlight a number of factors influencing adoption including education and awareness, access, convenience, economic and direct benefits associated with the practices as well as community influence. These results imply that efforts to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable practices should focus on creating more awareness on sustainable behaviors in the targeted communities, which can change their perceptions and attitudes towards the practices and emphasize the direct benefits that arise from adoption of such practices.