Conservation and education: prominent themes in zoo mission statements

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Catherine E. Matthews, Professor (Creator)
David F. Ayers, Assistant Professor (Contributor)
Patricia Gail Patrick (Contributor)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: In this study, the authors examine the mission statements of 136 zoos in the United States that the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) has accredited, and report on the predominant themes of education and conservation in the statements. To explore the relation between these two themes, the authors present a literature review of the roles and purposes of zoos and discuss how the literature compares with the roles and purposes of zoos as found in the zoo mission statements. They conclude that with more than 134 million visitors a year, zoos are in a unique position to provide environmental education and conservation education to large numbers of people.

Additional Information

Publication
The Journal of Environmental Education 38 (3), 53 - 60
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
Zoo conservation, Zoo education, Zoo mission statement

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