University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards the environment will be key factors in aiding in current conservation issues now and in the future. I am generally interested in factors mediating conservation behavior development in individuals. Specifically, for my thesis work I am examining whether a non-formal environmental education program at the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL is having any implications on children's attitudes or behavior towards the environment.
Participants in the program were children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old. A mixed-method approach was utilized consisting of interviews and several survey instruments investigating connectedness with nature. Since I am interested in factors that could potentially be mediating conservation behavior development, potential intergenerational influences are of interest to me. Thus, interviews and survey measures were administered to children in the program, their parents, as well as staff members working with the program.
Similarities among participants in the program (both parents and children) are important not only in the zoo setting, but also have implications for hands-on environmental education in general. Children are the future leaders so it is extremely important to develop strong conservation behaviors if we want them to have the necessary tools to work on improving current environmental conditions. These tools will come both from knowledge and understanding of the environmental issues, but also from a desire to improve them, which stems from a positive conservation behavior.
Invasive species are an extreme "hot topic" nowadays when it comes to major conservation dilemmas. We have yet to fully understand the threats to the ecosystem that many invasive species currently are playing, and/or will likely present in the future. Threats to the ecosystem are not the only threats that invasive species pose to the world. The costs of invasive species through loss of production or control/management costs is enormous. Additionally, little knowledge exists on potential human health risks due to increased management or increased vectors for pathogens.
The majority of introductions are unintentional. Furthermore, there is a general lack of understanding or knowledge in the general population as to why they should be concerned about invasive species in their community. Thus, in order for management plans to be effective in the future, the human dimension of invasive species needs to be further addressed and explored.
For my dissertation work I hope to work on furthering the scientific knowledge of a particular invasive species' role from an ecological standpoint in addition to addressing human dimensions surrounding that particular species. Ideally I will use the knowledge gained from my M.S. work on conservation behavior in order to develop specific workshops or hands-on environmental education programs to aid in preventing further unintentional spread of invasive species in a community.
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