One of our previous forest conservation volunteers conducted some research on the impact the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI) has on social behaviour towards conservation for her university degree. She asked all volunteers to complete a questionnaire when starting and ending their program. The questions focused on commitment to the environment and respect for nature. Overall, she found that volunteers showed more commitment to the environment in terms of water conservation, littering and respect on leaving after their volunteer stay, when compared to arriving.
This shows the impact that organisations such as MRCI have on volunteers, allowing them to experience living a more simple life first hand and seeing the impact of littering and degradation on the environment. This change of attitude and behaviour towards the environment can have a lasting impact on volunteers and hopefully result in positive, sustainable change in their lives back home.
Along with the conservation work we do on the ground in Madagascar, we aim to promote positive behaviour changes that reach around the world and contribute to a more sustainable future.
We are very grateful to Sandra Ellerkamp for completing this research and allowing us to share a summary, see below:
Impact of MRCI on commitment to the environment
