Aquarium Visit Readings Flashcards
Conservation Psychology
Examines the relationships between humans and nature with an eye toward conservation, focusing on linking research to practice
Principles of the CARE framework
Motivate and facilitate // Differentiate audiences // Maximize impact
Motivate and facilitate (CARE principle)
To promote pro-environmental behavior, increase motivation to protect nature, reduce barriers to taking action, or both.
Differentiate audiences (CARE principle)
Understanding the motivations of different audience segments enhances zoos’ ability to plan conservation engagement strategies and measure and interpret outcomes
Maximize impact (CARE principle)
Maintaining a longer‐term connection beyond a visit or program, leveraging individual actions for change at a higher level such as government or industry, and partnering with other organizations to reach the greatest number of people
CARE acronym
Cultivate caring,
Amplify intent,
Remove barriers,
Expand impact
Intrinsic Motivations
Based on individual values and beliefs, e.g. taking action because they believe a healthy environment is important for future generations
Extrinsic Motivations
Could be social influences or practical considerations, e.g. taking action because it provides cost savings
Intrinsic Barriers
Lack of knowledge or lack of self-efficacy
Extrinsic Barriers
Circumstantial things that make an action difficult or inconvenient, e.g. like driving less
Value-Belief-Norm Theory
VBN takes into account the individual’s perception of their influence in mitigating an environmental threat, as well as their perception of a threat to their personal values
Theory of Planned Behavior
TPB offers three primary predictors of pro-environmental behavior: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control
Campbell Paradigm
Describes pro-environmental behavior as a function of the relationship between environmental attitude and the difficulty of the behavior
Community-Based Social Marketing
A process designed to create the circumstances that will result in a specific behavior, by increasing motivation, decreasing barriers, or some combination of the two
Trans-Theoretical Model of behavior change
TTM outlines several stages of change, from pre-contemplation to contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance to termination
Pre-Contemplation stage (TTM)
Not currently thinking about taking an action or unaware that their current behavior is problematic
Contemplation stage (TTM)
Examining the current behavior and considering an alternative
Preparation stage (TTM)
Intention to change the behavior in the near future
Action stage (TTM)
Person is changing their behavior
Maintenance stage (TTM)
Behavior has persisted for at least 6 months
Termination stage (TTM)
Action is fully integrated in a person’s life
Animal Ambassador Programs
Programs where zoo visitors are given the opportunity to learn about animal care, biology, and conservation while in close contact with wildlife
Animal Ambassadors
Animals that have been trained by zoo or aquarium staff for public interaction, specifically to support educational and conservation goals
Male Sea Lion (Tacoma)
A rescue from the Bonneville dam, a key salmon run, branded with a number, relocated to protect the salmon populations // weighs over 800 pounds
Sea Otters at Aquarium
All three males, one younger pup abandoned in California and two older sea otters
1895
NY Zoological society charters a free zoological park in NYC (later became the Bronx zoo)
1896
Independent of the Bronx zoo opening, established the NY aquarium in Battery park area
1902
NY Zoological society gains control of the NY aquarium
1942
Robert Moses tries to demolish the old location of the NY aquarium in Battery park, stopped by war stuff
1957
NY aquarium re-opens on Coney Island, and now charges admission
1993
NY Zoological society becomes the wildlife conservation society
Context for Zoo Creation
Late 1800s, period of rising interest in wildlife, nature, and conservation
1860s
National park service created, and then in 1892 Yellowstone formed
Sierra Club
first founded by John Muir in the late 1800s
Goals of NY Zoological Society
Establishing a free zoological park // Promoting study of zoology // Preserving North American wildlife
Lacey Act
A conservation law in the United States that prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold
Species in Aquarium
Around 75 at the start from the Bronx River, and then expanded to over 200 species and more than 2,000 specimens
Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences
Established in 1965, continuing the education and research part, multidisciplinary facility (micro-nutrients, marine mammals, pharmaceuticals, viruses, etc)
Wildlife Conservation Society
Non-governmental organization // Conservation and education priorities // Global and local impact
NY Seascape Program
Local conservation efforts // Tagging sharks and whales // Restoring Bronx River // Hudson Canyon sanctuary
Hudson Canyon
One of the largest marine canyons (for reference, much deeper than the Empire State Building) // It is a hotspot for marine biodiversity
Threats to Hudson Canyon
Coastal urbanization // Noise pollution // Exploitation of oil, gas, and minerals // Nutrient and debris pollution // Hazards from shipping routes // Unregulated, destructive fisheries // Climate change
Multi-use Marine Protected Area
Permanent ban on gas, oil, and mineral extraction // Maintaining fish and wildlife populations, yet also including viable and sustainable stocks for current and future regulated fishing and tourism // Increase ocean education/awareness and science/research efforts
Conservation
Understanding human impacts and preventing extinctions // Many different techniques: using alternative resources, establishing protected areas, protecting biodiversity, hunting/fishing restrictions, restoration ecology, outreach
Outreach
Anything that communicates scientific information to the general public (so docents standing at an aquarium, the infographics we made, etc)
Fisheries Management
Emerged in 1871, when it was realized that fish stocks were NOT inexhaustible, the US Fish Commission led fisheries expositions that focused on local (native) and typically commercial species
Captive Breeding & Reintroduction
One of the earliest conservation techniques (although usually for hunting and fishing populations to begin with)
“Noah’s Ark”
A concept of zoos and aquariums as genetic reservoirs that emerged in the 1970s and 80s, a last haven for species diversity
Rehabilitation Centers
Wild animals nursed back to health, released into the wild, often work alongside stranding networks
Methods of Education and Outreach
In park education // Online and social media efforts // School trips and summer camps
