VOLUNTEERS' AGE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO COMMUNITY-BASED RESTORATION

Community-based wetland restoration groups rely upon many hours of volunteer time in order to ameliorate environmental degradation. Nevertheless, the extent of the relationship between demographics and barriers to environmentally responsible (ER) behaviors remains unknown. Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) volunteers were examined to determine whether demographic variables were related to their previous restoration work, including GBF membership, their attitudes toward the bay, their general environmentally responsible behaviors, and their perceived barriers to ER behaviors. Both adolescent and adult volunteers completed the same survey. Multivariate analyses revealed older volunteers (ages 23-70) endorsed more positive ER attitudes and behaviors and perceived fewer barriers to these than younger volunteers (ages 14-22). In addition, the younger group were less likely to be GBF members and to recreate on the bay. These results support the need for environmental education that promotes ER attitudes and behaviors in adolescents, while at the same time diminishing perceived barriers. In order for community-based restoration to recruit and maintain new and younger volunteers, such education seems necessary.