Dr. Sarah Thomas, Auckland Zoo, New Zealand
Oceania
This practical and active workshop aims to guide and unpack the new World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Education Strategy with delegates. The session will facilitate discussions and allow for active dialogue around the conservation education strategic themes. It also aims to build participants knowledge of the strategy and their skills and confidence of applying the strategy back in their own organisations.
Speaker Biography
I 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. I have a mixed academic background with a BSc (hons) in 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. I’ve worked in two other UK zoos prior to moving to New Zealand. I was the 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).