Human-wildlife conflict mitigation and the self-efficacy of wildlife professionals in non-formal education and outreach

Preventing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) constitutes a substantial challenge for wildlife agencies. The literature on HWC is primarily focused on public understanding of and perceptions toward HWC issues and on mitigation interventions, which often involve public education and outreach. Yet, the non-formal education and community outreach capacities of wildlife professionals remain relatively under-studied. This study develops new insights into the professional development (PD) needs of wildlife professionals relevant to non-formal education and community outreach aimed at mitigating HWC. Using data generated through a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the self-efficacy of respondents in non-formal education and community outreach skill areas, this study proposes a PD sequence that prioritizes the relevant HWC training needs of a sample of wildlife professionals from the Four Corners region of the United States. The sequence spans curriculum development, media engagement, and evaluation. Recommendations for practice and future research are provided.