Exploring the Lived Experience of Coastal Community Volunteers in Advancing Ecological Sustainability

Abstract

Environmental sustainability has emerged as a critical area of scientific inquiry, particularly in the context of community-based conservation efforts in ecologically vulnerable regions. Despite growing recognition of the human dimensions of sustainability, little is known about how local volunteers subjectively experience and interpret their ecological engagement in erosion-prone coastal areas. To address this gap, this study asks: How do community volunteers make meaning of sustainability through their lived experiences in environmental conservation? Using a descriptive phenomenological approach grounded in Husserlian philosophy, this study explores the inner meanings, motivations, and relational dynamics of grassroots ecological action. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with eight long-term volunteers, followed by thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. The findings reveal four essential themes: sustainability as a moral and spiritual obligation, voluntary sacrifice for intergenerational futures, communal meaning-making, and embodied emotional awareness of ecological change. These results demonstrate that volunteers perceive their role not only as ecological actors but also as moral stewards of their community, which strengthens local resilience and intergenerational continuity. These lived experiences illustrate how sustainability is not merely a set of practices, but a deeply personal and cultural phenomenon grounded in care, memory, and place. Practically, the study underscores the importance of integrating volunteer-driven values and cultural narratives into coastal management programs, thereby informing more inclusive policies and strengthening conservation strategies at the community level. By uncovering these meanings, the study contributes to a richer understanding of grassroots environmentalism and highlights the importance of incorporating experiential knowledge into conservation strategies. These insights offer actionable implications for policymakers, particularly in designing participatory frameworks that empower local volunteers, and for practitioners aiming to align ecological programs with community values.