Community perceptions and willingness to participate in park conservation: Evidence from Semien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Our research examined how local residents in Semien Mountain National Parks feel about protecting the parks and the factors that influence their participation in park conservation. To ensure our findings were robust, we used a mixed-methods approach that combined structured collection of qualitative and quantitative data in a structured way. We selected participants from three districts near the study area, using a combination of random and non-random sampling methods. From each district, we randomly selected three villages to include in the study. A sample of 397 households was determined using the Yemane formula. These households were then randomly chosen from nine villages across the three districts. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary sources. The mean and standard deviation were used as descriptive statistics to assess residents' awareness of, and involvement in, preserving the areas around the park. To examine community engagement in park conservation, the study employed a two-stage analytical approach. In the first stage, binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with households' willingness to participate. In the second stage, ordered logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the level of participation, categorized as low, medium, or high. The main findings showed that seventy-four point one per cent (74.1%) of respondents were willing to participate, indicating support for park conservation. The explanatory socio-demographic variables, such as perceived park importance and community attachment, strongly influenced households’ participation in park conservation. Sex, education, occupation, institutional support, information, awareness, and perceived rewards had a substantial effect on household participation in park conservation. The study found that most respondents had positive views of park conservation and were willing to participate, but policymakers and conservation practitioners should consider the determinants of participation and address local community concerns, such as equitable tourism benefits and adequate government attention.