Zoo education strengthens people's connection to nature
Zoos offer people the opportunity to experience animals and engage with the natural world. Alongside recreation, they also play important roles in species conservation and scientific research. Education is another core mission of modern zoos, with many programs designed to foster a stronger sense of connection to nature. But how effective are these initiatives? And which visitors benefit most…
Zoos play a crucial role in connecting people to nature through their education programs, according to a study by researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt. The study, published in the journal People and Nature, examined how zoo education programs influence participants' sense of connection to nature. Led by Professor Paul Dierkes, the research involved 20 zoological institutions across Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Portugal.
Participants completed questionnaires before and after engaging in various zoo education activities, such as guided tours, workshops and multi-day programs. The team assessed factors including participants' age, gender, frequency of zoo visits, program duration, animal contact and topics covered. Overall, participating in zoo education led to a short-term increase in people's sense of connection to nature. The effect was particularly significant for those who initially had a moderate connection to the natural world.
Dr. Matthias Kleespies, co-author of the study, noted that zoo education programs are especially effective at reaching people who previously felt less connected to nature. These programs are designed with this audience in mind, as they often include direct encounters with animals, discussions on biodiversity and species conservation, and longer durations.
While participants with strong prior connections to nature showed smaller measurable changes, the researchers emphasized that this does not diminish the value of these programs for them. The measurement scale used in the study has a cap on how much improvement can be observed.
The study also found that frequent zoo visitors experienced greater increases in their connection to nature compared to occasional visitors. Age played a role as well, with children showing particularly strong gains. Gender appeared to have a minor effect, with women showing slightly larger increases than men. The researchers argue that understanding participants' existing attitudes and experiences can help design more effective zoo education programs.
While the findings suggest that zoo education programs strengthen people's connection to nature, the long-term persistence of these effects remains an open question for future research.
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