The authors conducted a survey to identify conservation activity among
the general populace of a midsize Southwestern community to increase
our understanding of those who do and do not engage in a broad section
of environmentally friendly activities. Numerous self-reported behavi
ors were gauged and combined to form a composite measure representing
the conserving consumer. They then explored both demographic and psych
osocial variables as predictors of this self-reported composite scale
of conservation. The results and their implications are discussed for
researchers and public policy officials.