Zoos and Aquariums contribution to 'Social change for conservation'
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Caption: Mātauranga Māori conservation education session at Auckland Zoo, Credit: Auckland Zoo, World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy
World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy-
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and International Zoo Educators Association (IZE) developed, in collaboration, the first unified global strategy to educate people about conservation. The strategy is called Social Change for Conservation- World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy (WZACES). With the rapidly changing environments, a global pandemic, and devastating biodiversity loss due to human activities, the need for a conservation education strategy has never been more pressing.
The WZACES is the result of contributions from 350 individuals, 180 institutions, and 44 countries/regions. The global zoo and aquarium community shaped this pioneering plan for the zoos and aquariums of the future.
The strategy exhibits the commitment of WAZA and IZE to lead and support its members, colleagues, and the zoo and aquarium sector to build expertise, leadership, and capacity in quality conservation education. ZAA has adopted this strategy locally as a key framework for promoting and guiding conservation education practices among its members.
WZACES outlines eight chapters that provide a roadmap for zoos and aquariums to achieve twenty-six recommendations. These chapters include:
- Build a culture of conservation education in their organisations.
- Embedding multiple purposes of conservation education into zoos and aquariums
- Promoting conservation education for all
- Applying appropriate approaches and methods in conservation education
- Integrating animal care and welfare into conservation education
- Prioritising conservation and sustainability in conservation education
- Optimising training and professional development in conservation education
- Strengthening the evidence of the conservation education value of zoos and aquariums
Read more about the strategy.
ZAA Conservation Engagement Committee (CEC)
What is ZAA CEC?
The ZAA Conservation Engagement Committee (CEC) is responsible for two main categories of activities related to advancing social science conservation engagement practices and developing relevant tools and assets to guide best practices. The committee provides strategic direction and development capability for conservation engagement to ZAA members while also advocating for the ZAA Conservation Database and Accreditation Program.
ZAA CEC and WZACES
The ZAA CEC is responsible for delivering the ZAA Regional Conservation Engagement Strategy across Australasia. The CEC collaborates with ZAA Committees to ensure that the strategy is in line with the global strategies and positioning of the WZACES. The committee also oversees the delivery of projects as directed by the Board. In addition, the ZAA CEC offers support and guidance to the ZAA Engagement Special Advisory Group (E-SAG) to enable adoption and understanding of the WZACES across the ZAA membership.