Work

The Role of Annual-Fee Memberships in Promoting Citizen Involvement in Community-Level Biodiversity Conservation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The necessity of citizen involvement in biodiversity conservation activities is widely recognized in practical conservation operations. Clarifying the roles of annual-fee membership schemes is important, as they enable diverse styles of citizen participation. Kyororo is a museum whose main theme is the Satoyama in snowy regions, and the Kyororo Friends Association is an affiliated annual-fee membership program. This study examines the results of a questionnaire survey distributed among the association’s members to examine their perceptions of Kyororo’s activities, in addition to their characteristics—such as age group, place of residence, and type of involvement—and their motivations for joining the association. This study contributes by revising four potential roles of annual-fee membership in terms of promoting citizen participation. The first is as a platform for citizen involvement that is independent of geographic distance or direct participation. The second is as a platform for sustaining the involvement of individuals who have contributed to the accumulated history of the activities. The third is as platforms for citizens who understand and trust community-level nature, conservation activities, and their values to affiliate with and provide their support. The fourth is as a platform for sustained citizen support through regular fixed-amount payments to trusted entities.

Source: Conservation

DOI: 10.3390/conservation6010007

Authors: Rasuna Mishima, Makoto Kobayashi, Noboru Kuramoto

Institution: Meiji University

Language: English

Topic: Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207