Summary Wetland conservation increasingly requires integrated social science approaches, linking environmental education, participatory governance and behaviour change. To address illegal hunting of migratory and rare bird species in northern Iran’s Sorkhrud Wetland, we applied a three-layered intervention model integrating environmental education, social network analysis (SNA) and conservation behaviour change theory. These three layers examined individual cognitive–motivational empowerment, network-level communication and collaboration with collective behavioural outcomes. SNA was conducted before and after the educational intervention to assess shifts in participatory relationships, while principal component analysis evaluated changes in awareness and communication. The intervention between 2022 and 2023 combined semi-structured interviews and participatory workshops with diverse stakeholders (n = 44), including officials, non-governmental organizations, activists, hunters and academics. The results showed increased network density (from 0.22 to 0.55) and reduced centrality (from 0.51 to 0.34), indicating a more inclusive, socially grounded structure. Mediating actors gained influence in raising public awareness of wetland values. This framework demonstrates transferability to other wetlands and natural resources, while the Sorkhrud case provides empirical context. Integrating education-based interventions with network analysis offers internationally relevant insights into participatory conservation strategies. Practically, the framework enhances collaboration and awareness, guiding replication in similar settings.
Islami et al. (Mon,) studied this question.