Why Volunteer?: Motivations and Place Attachment among Ice Age Trail Builders

File(s)
Date
2024-04-19Author
Rasch, Andrew
Shingle, Amelia
Publisher
College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Advisor(s)
Anderson McIntyre, Laura
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Volunteers are often the key factor in the successful completion of a project. However, there are many questions about what motivates volunteers to give their time and effort to help complete a project. This study is aimed at gaining an understanding of volunteers, specifically Ice Age Trail volunteers. This study was conducted during the Ice Age Trail building event held in August 2023 at Iola Winter Sports Club in Iola, Wisconsin. The study focuses on indicators of a quality volunteer experience, personal and social motivations for volunteers, and place attachment to the Ice Age Trail among volunteers. In total, 28 volunteers were surveyed through an interview designed to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Responses were recorded and later entered into a spreadsheet for analysis. Open ended responses were coded and crosschecked for reliability using multiple coders. Frequencies, crosstabs to compare findings by groups, and statistical tests were used to examine close ended responses. Preliminary findings suggest that the vast majority of volunteers had volunteered previously, with nearly a third volunteering for more than 10 years. Additionally, almost half of volunteers traveled two hours or more to attend the event. The most important motivations for volunteers were being close to nature, seeing other volunteers, and giving back. Volunteers demonstrated positive attachment to the Ice Age Trail, expressing greater emotional and symbolic attachment than functional dependence.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/85292Type
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