Findings From Our Project Methods
This page details the team’s findings and analysis of the methods described previously. The team gained an overview of the VNPA resources that could either aid or constrain VNP projects through interviews with members of the organization. The VNPA member interviews and volunteer survey revealed perspectives and attitudes on the VNPA’s current volunteerism practices, as well as ways in which the organization could utilize volunteers in implementing water collection systems. Discussion with both VNPA members and wetland specialists outside the organization provided insight into important features of park hydrology relevant to water management project implementation. Further conversation in both interviews, alongside technical research, revealed possible water management solutions and monitoring techniques.
Evaluation of VNPA Resources and Public Opinion
In order to evaluate the current resources of the VNPA, the team conducted eight interviews with VNPA members. The interview results revealed key information about the strengths and limitations of the organization’s resources, with 100% of the interviewees contributing to the resources discussion. The team coded these responses into the theme of resources, then within this overarching theme further categorized individual responses into five sub-themes: network, financial resources, administration process, media resources, and physical resources. Additionally, interviewees discussed the general public’s opinion of the park and the manner in which those opinions influence park endeavors, similarly revealing strengths and limitations for the VNPA. The team coded these responses, which came from 62% of the interviewees, into the general public theme and further grouped them into sub-themes of positive and negative response
Volunteerism
In addition to asking volunteerism questions in VNPA interviews, the team distributed a survey to the organization’s volunteers through their WhatsApp and Facebook groups, collecting 101 total responses with over 40% of respondents indicating that they had previously volunteered in the VNP at least once. This section details findings about volunteerism within the VNP from both interviews and the volunteer survey.
The Significance of Wetlands Hydrology
To assess the impact of the VNP’s hydrology on water management projects, the team discussed the significance and impact of hydrology on wetlands ecosystems with wetland specialists and VNPA members.
Solutions
To determine potential avenues of water management, the team took findings from the previous sections on hydrology, volunteerism, and resources to ask for the VNPA’s and wetland specialists’ recommendations on mitigating the falling water levels. In both sets of interviews, the interviewees identified potential solutions, solution considerations, and steps the VNPA must take before beginning these projects. The mentioned recommendations directed the technical research necessary for understanding the project’s details. Such project recommendations included reed removal, digging wells, and rain gardens while time lapse photography and monitoring wells can track the impact of each solution.
