Investigating the effect of education on environment conservation (Case study: Shirin Park, Kermanshahcity)

In this study, the effect of education on increasing the individuals’ willingness for the conservation of Shirin Park in Kermanshah city has been investigated. The required data were collected using 200 questionnaires. Also, three different informative brochures about the ecosystem of Shirin Park and its crucial role in human life were handed to 100 people as an intervention group. The control group also included 100 people. Data were analyzed using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and Logit function. Findings: Results show a significant difference between the two groups in their willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation of Shirin Park environment. Estimation of the Logit model showed that educational intervention has a significant effect on individuals’ WTP for the conservation of this ecosystem. By adding to the brochures with new information, the probability of willingness to pay increases by 0.013 units. Monthly individuals’ WTPs for conservation of the environment in the control and intervention groups were estimated as 14453 and 23423 Rials, respectively. Annual WTPs for each household were estimated as 62870.55 and 122502.29 Rials in the mentioned groups. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the results, increase of people’s information about the importance of Shirin Park would lead to a considerable increase in the visitors’ WTP for conservation of this ecosystem.