Mobilising High School Volunteers as Conservation Ambassadors
- Behavior
- Climate change
- Education
Abstract
As the impacts of environmental degradation become more intense and evident, and a lack of agency to address climate change increases amongst youth, a focus on youth empowerment and effective scientific communication skills is critical to mitigate climate anxiety and promote environmental actions. In 2024, high school volunteers at The Marine Mammal Center, USA, engaged in a service-learning program, putting them on the frontlines of communicating about marine mammal threats and conservation actions in their local communities. Youth Crew members learned the science of climate change and sustainable seafood, and logged their conservation actions through an interactive, custom mobile application (GetGreen), allowing them to track their carbon emission offsets. Through interactive exhibits at the public-facing hospital, Youth Crew members engaged with over 7,400 visitors and encouraged nearly 600 pledges for conservation actions. In total, the over 1,700 recorded actions equated to a reduction of 18 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Evaluative surveys showed that youth significantly increased their comfort and frequency of environmental conversations in their personal lives, their belief that they could have a positive impact through their own actions, and increased communication about these critical environmental topics to others.
Krucik, K., Vallejo, J., Martinez, S., & Ratner, A. (2025). Mobilising high school volunteers as conservation ambassadors. International Zoo Educators Association Journal, 61, 64–71.
Meet The Experts
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/krystal-krucik-0-158-2316-1809-1639418542.jpg","alt":"Krystal Krucik","title":"Krystal Krucik","text":"Public Programs Coordinator","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/krystal-krucik","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/adam-ratner-0-0-1183-1230-1601919673.jpg","alt":"Adam Ratner","title":"Adam Ratner","text":"Director of Conservation Engagement","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/adam-ratner","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/joelle-saute-headshot-3-486-3014-2354-1682373986.jpg","alt":"Joelle Vallejo","title":"Joelle Vallejo","text":"High School Programs Manager","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/joelle-vallejo","link_text":"Read Bio"}
{"image":"\/People\/Portrait\/cropped-images\/samantha-martinez-0-286-1270-992-1756160160.jpg","alt":"Samantha Martinez","title":"Samantha Martinez","text":"Community Outreach Coordinator","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/person\/samantha-martinez","link_text":"Read Bio"}
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