Arts-based analysis of conservation education field trips for young people to observe wild lemurs in Southern Madagascar
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Abstract
Opportunities for young people to directly experience nature can have positive impacts on the individual, the social group and on society as a whole, through future increased conservation action. We developed a program which engaged young people from Fort Dauphin in a field trip to see wild animals at Nahampoana Reserve. Our aim in offering field trips to young people living in the city was to create a positive emotional opportunity to engage directly with nature with the ultimate goal of protecting lemurs and their habitat. In our analysis, we predicted that participants who completed a survey after a presentation and field trip (assessment post field trip) would recall more correct and detailed facts than those participants who completed their surveys after the presentation only (assessment pre field trip). Our program used a variety of arts-based data collection methods including an initial essay writing component on conservation of lemurs and drawing analysis of observed plants and animals. Our results show, in part, that (A) initial written essays by participants showed misperceptions about lemurs, (B) participants who had attended the field trip prior to drawing their favourite aspect of the reserve, produced more species-specific plant depictions, and (C) participants who were involved in a presentation, field trip, and final group discussion came up with four principles for protecting lemurs and their environment. Upon analysis after the study, we gained the additional insight of being able to evaluate our survey methods.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 542 | 123 | 6 |
| Full Text Views | 22 | 9 | 0 |
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Arts-based analysis of conservation education field trips for young people to observe wild lemurs in Southern Madagascar
In: Folia PrimatologicaSearch for other papers by Amber D. Walker-Bolton in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Doria Ralison in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ramanorintsoa F. Milliasse in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Opportunities for young people to directly experience nature can have positive impacts on the individual, the social group and on society as a whole, through future increased conservation action. We developed a program which engaged young people from Fort Dauphin in a field trip to see wild animals at Nahampoana Reserve. Our aim in offering field trips to young people living in the city was to create a positive emotional opportunity to engage directly with nature with the ultimate goal of protecting lemurs and their habitat. In our analysis, we predicted that participants who completed a survey after a presentation and field trip (assessment post field trip) would recall more correct and detailed facts than those participants who completed their surveys after the presentation only (assessment pre field trip). Our program used a variety of arts-based data collection methods including an initial essay writing component on conservation of lemurs and drawing analysis of observed plants and animals. Our results show, in part, that (A) initial written essays by participants showed misperceptions about lemurs, (B) participants who had attended the field trip prior to drawing their favourite aspect of the reserve, produced more species-specific plant depictions, and (C) participants who were involved in a presentation, field trip, and final group discussion came up with four principles for protecting lemurs and their environment. Upon analysis after the study, we gained the additional insight of being able to evaluate our survey methods.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 542 | 123 | 6 |
| Full Text Views | 22 | 9 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 58 | 21 | 0 |
