Behavior Change: Actions to Restore Piedmont Prairie and Adopt Sustainable Behavior

Restoration of an ecosystem or adoption of sustainable behavior could benefit the environment. Valuable ecosystem services, like water filtration and habitat for pollinators, inspire investigation into the restoration of grasslands, like Piedmont prairies. This research endeavors to determine the impact of disturbance type (tilling, herbicide, mowing, fire, control with seed or no seed). The second-year aboveground biomass was harvested, identified, counted, and weighed to understand plant species’ response after the application of the disturbance. Target species and plant community diversity did not significantly vary between disturbance types. Planting methods (hand dispersal, drill, one-month and six-month transplanting) on Asclepias tuberosa establishment were also investigated. Transplanting positively affected Asclepias tuberosa. These findings could guide decisions on disturbance type and planting methods in a southeastern Piedmont prairie restoration. Environmental education could inspire sustainable behavior change in individuals. Components of behavior change (an understanding of the issues, familiarity with solutions, an impetus to act, influential person, time and space to make a behavior change, and interventions) from a behavior change activity were focused on in this study. Survey responses and a course assignment were consulted to assess the level of confidence post activity. Having a partner and rewards were associated with a high level of confidence (90-100 on a scale of 0-100) in ability to adopt sustainable behavior. These findings correspond with research that suggests pairing knowledge with other components of behavior change. This combination could be incorporated in environmental education programs targeting adults who express an interest in implementing sustainable behaviors.