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Peer-reviewed article

Impact of a Global Biodiversity Education Campaign on Zoo and Aquarium Visitors

May 15, 2017 | Media and Technology, Public Programs, Exhibitions
Campaigns by zoos, aquariums, and other civil society organizations are an important tool for promoting social changes that benefit the environment. Here, we evaluate a global biodiversity education campaign's impact through a repeated-measures survey of nearly 5000 visitors to 20 zoos and aquariums located in 14 countries. By comparing visitors’ pre- and post-visit responses combined across respondents, we found significant aggregate improvements in their biodiversity understanding and their knowledge of actions to help protect biodiversity. Respondents who reported seeing the education campaign's interpretive graphic panels and informative films showed a significantly higher aggregate increase in their understanding of biodiversity and actions to protect it as compared to respondents who did not see the campaign materials. These findings reaffirm the value of education at zoos and aquariums to engage members of the public with biodiversity-related issues. The results also demonstrate that the aggregate impact from such experiences can be enhanced through coordinated public engagement initiatives.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Andrew Moss
    Author
    Chester Zoo
  • DSC 3392
    Author
    University of Warwick
  • Markus Gusset
    Author
    World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
  • Citation

    DOI : 10.1002/fee.1493
    Publication Name: Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
    Volume: 15
    Number: 5
    Page Number: 243-247
    Resource Type: Research | Research Products
    Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Education and learning science | Life science
    Audience: Administration/Leadership/Policymakers | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators | Learning Researchers
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Websites, Mobile Apps, and Online Media | Films and IMAX | Public Programs | Aquarium and Zoo Programs | Exhibitions | Aquarium and Zoo Exhibits

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