What predicts community members' intentions to take action to protect koalas?

Context: Without urgent action, koalas could be extinct in New South Wales (NSW), Australia by 2050. Despite the key role that community members could play in koala protection, we know little about what might motivate them to engage in these actions. Aims: This study surveyed residents (n = 585) of local government areas of far north east NSW to identify demographic and social-psychological factors associated with likelihood of engaging in actions that could help to protect koalas. Methods: A survey using a multi-pronged recruitment process was administered to relevant participants. Key results: Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that the likelihood of joining a community conservation group was greater in the Byron shire and for those with a stronger environmental identity, more positive attitudes toward koalas and who perceived that others who are important to them take action to protect koalas. Byron residents, those with a stronger environmental identity and those with more knowledge about koalas were also more likely to advocate government for koala protection. Positive attitudes towards koalas and perceptions that others who are important to them take action to protect koalas significantly predicted likelihood of restoring native vegetation on respondents' properties. Gender emerged as the only significant predictor of likelihood of joining council conservation initiatives. Conclusions: These findings provide insights that could help guide the efforts of government and non-government agencies in engaging community members with koala protection. Implications: This study identified which factors to target when focusing on koala protection behaviours, and can be used to help guide efforts to build community support for koala protection actions.