Transforming Conservation Through Education

Conservation is evolving, and so are the skills required to protect the planet.

In our conversation with Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education at Chester Zoo, highlighted this growing shift:

While many conservation professionals are highly trained in technical specialisms such as species protection and habitat management, softer skills relating to climate literacy and sustainability education are increasingly critical.

Understanding and communicating climate science and biodiversity conservation with confidence has become essential, not just for scientists, but for anyone working to inspire action and drive change.

We have a really big mixture of people who really understand conservation and climate change and sustainability, but also we need to bring that together with people who are really good storytellers, people who are really good with digital technology.

 

Live Lessons: Bringing Conservation to Life

A powerful example of these evolving skills can be seen in our live lessons programme.

Filmed both in-studio and across the zoo’s habitats, live lessons provide interactive learning opportunities that bring species and ecosystems to life. Students can ask questions in real time, engage with expert presentations, and participate in reflective activities that reinforce understanding. For those watching later, the recorded sessions, along with accompanying resources, extend the learning experience and provide tools for classroom application.

The impact of this approach is significant. By providing access to expertise and immersive experiences, we expand our reach far beyond our physical location. Schools from across the United Kingdom – from Scotland to the Channel Islands – can engage with conservation education, fostering awareness and action even among those who may never set foot in the zoo.

Creating these live lessons is a collaboration between traditional conservation roles, and the skills of storytellers, presenters and production. Education becomes a bridge between the public and the urgent issues of climate change, species loss, and habitat degradation.

Live lessons have been quite a new initiative for us, motivated by our desire to reach audiences that are  unable to come and see us here in Chester. Combined with our suite of educational resources, each live lesson is designed to be grounded in meaningful, real-world work, with learning that can be applied in the classroom.

Supporting Learning Pathways in Higher Education

Our commitment to education also extends into higher learning and research. In partnership with the University of Chester, we co-developed a postgraduate certificate in Conservation and Sustainability Education. This programme equips conservation and education professionals with the skills to design and deliver effective learning experiences, grounded in behavioural science, conservation psychology, and innovative teaching methods.

Research is another vital part of our approach. Through our scholars’ programme, PhD students address real-world conservation challenges while benefiting from rigorous academic supervision.

By training educators who can inspire and empower others, we amplify the impact of conservation education far beyond our own walls.

Awareness, Engagement, and Empowerment

One recently completed scholars’ project focused on how to empower people to live more sustainably, using conservation psychology and behaviour‑change theory to understand the real impact of the zoo’s work.

This research involved a full meta‑analysis of existing studies on how zoo visits influence visitors’ knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to act.

The findings showed clear evidence that time spent in a zoo can increase understanding of conservation issues and leave people better equipped to make positive environmental choices.

Zoo experiences don’t just inspire curiosity — they can spark meaningful, lasting changes in how people care for the natural world.

This approach reflects a fundamental truth: conservation is not only about protecting species and habitats but also about engaging people. By transforming understanding into behaviour, education becomes the cornerstone of a more sustainable – and hopeful  – future.

For further information, see the full video.

Or visit: www.chesterzoo.org

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is a world-leading conservation and education charity committed to preventing extinction. The UK’s most popular zoo, it welcomes more than 2.1 million visitors every year to its 130-acre site in Chester – home to around 30,000 animals. As a not-for-profit, everything is reinvested into its conservation mission: working with more than 3,000 species globally, partnering with 60+ organisations across 20+ countries to save species, restore habitats, and inspire millions of people to care about the natural world.

Storyland Studios

Storyland Studios is a full-service experience design firm with offices in the US and Europe.

Our Approach to Interactive Storytelling

We help organisations like Chester Zoo bring education to life through digital and interactive storytelling. As the education landscape develops, the skills and forms of access required to engage learners continue to evolve. Our approach embraces a range of tools – from projection mapping and simulations, to learning apps, live lessons, and interactive screens. These interactive storytelling layers enrich existing physical narratives, creating experiences that are easy to replicate, simple to update, and adaptable to the needs of any audience.

How do you create experiences that engage and educate? Contact us at Storyland Studios to find out more.