From the inactive to the multi-tasker: insights from a large Dutch survey into individual and collective efforts in green volunteering

Citizens are nowadays recognized as key actors in addressing societal challenges. Their engagement fosters collective responsibility, strengthens democratic processes, and enhances policy. In nature conservation, citizen involvement is important for integrating nature into other domains of life, contributing to biodiversity and the quality of life. However, the lack of representative data on who these volunteers are, what activities they engage in, and how they contribute hinders long-term monitoring and policy development. Current data primarily focus on organizational volunteers, overlooking many citizens who act individually or form informal initiatives. Understanding these diverse forms of engagement is essential for supporting citizen-led conservation efforts. A representative online survey of 10,779 Dutch adults identified four groups: individual volunteers (22%), those in professional organizations (4%), community initiative volunteers (8%), and non-volunteers (66%). Volunteers were generally higher educated and more likely to live in greener areas. Common activities included litter collection (73%), nature monitoring (28%), and maintaining public green (25%). Motivations extended beyond environmental concerns to enjoyment, outdoor experiences, and physical activity. For potential volunteers, flexibility, proximity, and access to information were key motivators. The study highlights differences between volunteer groups and emphasizes the need to look beyond organizational volunteers. Individual volunteers, the largest group, engage flexibly but less intensively. Community initiative volunteers are locally focused and socially driven, while professional organization volunteers participate in a broader range of activities. These insights help policymakers and organizations better support volunteer engagement in nature conservation, emphasizing both ecological and social benefits. Ongoing monitoring is needed to track trends and adapt strategies over time.