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Reed, Kaitlyn, author Niemiec, Rebecca, advisor Gonzalez, Mireille, advisor Yovovich, Veronica, committee member 2026-06-08T10:31:36Z 2026 Reed_colostate_0053N_19493.pdf https://hdl.handle.net/10217/244781 https://doi.org/10.25675/3.027141 Mobilizing collective action is essential for successful wildlife restoration, yet designing effective outreach that meaningfully shifts behavioral intentions remains a key challenge for conservation practitioners. Theory driven educational strategies offer promise for influencing behavioral intentions are underexplored in real-world settings. In summer of 2025, the Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence at Colorado State University, in partnership with Defenders of Wildlife and CSU Extension, led the implementation of a statewide education campaign focused on wolverine (Gulo gulo) reintroduction in Colorado, designed to improve public knowledge, support, and collective action intentions The education campaign delivered accurate evidence-based scientific information about wolverine ecology and their reintroduction while testing the efficacy of different educational approaches for improving learning outcomes. To do so we implemented a 2X2 factorial experimental design comparing the traditional science communication approach, or rational actor model ("control"), to a theory driven treatment combining the Constructivist Learning Model and emotional appeals using anthropomorphism ("treatment"), delivered in both in-person and virtual formats. Participants completed pre- and post-event surveys to explore changes in their knowledge about wolverines and their reintroduction as well as their support for reintroduction and collective action. Overall, participants in both the control and treatment conditions demonstrated greater knowledge compared to before, though we did not see intervention effects on collective action intentions, likely reflecting ceiling effects among an already supportive audience. born digital masters theses English eng Colorado State University. Libraries 2020- Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. Testing environmental education interventions related to wolverine reintroduction in Colorado Text Master of Science (M.S.) Masters Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Colorado State University This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). open.access