Dr. Sarah Thomas, Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
Oceania
This talk gives an overview of the World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy which is due to be launched at this WAZA/IZE conference. As the lead author for this strategy, this talk will guide delegates through the main themes of the strategy, outline the 20 strategic recommendations, and the process and people involved to create a truly inclusive yet global conservation education strategy. This talk will demonstrate how the strategy should be embraced and embedded by all zoos and aquariums to improve conservation education practice. It will also highlight to delegates how conservation education is relevant to all zoo and aquarium educators in our community, and how launching this World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy is a major step change for our industry.
Speaker Biography
Dr. Sarah Thomas started at Auckland Zoo in August 2019 as the Head of Conservation Advocacy and Engagement which has a responsibility for bringing people together to build a future for wildlife through the schools and public programmes, interpretation, volunteers, conservation education outreach and community conservation. She has a mixed academic background with a BSc (Hons) Zoology, a masters (PGCE) in education and teaching, and a PhD in conservation – which had a specific focus on exploring the social dimensions of biodiversity conservation. She has worked in zoos for nearly 20 years as Head of Discovery and Learning at the Zoological Society of London (2011-2019), and the Education, Conservation and Research Manager at Blackpool Zoo (2002-2011).