The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and institutions, and the International Zoo Educators (IZE), a network that supports educators with training, resources, and a global community, present Leading Social Change for Biodiversity Conservation.
This special edition showcases practical, real-world case studies from zoos and aquariums globally, illustrating how this community is fostering meaningful social and behavioural change that benefits people, wildlife, and the natural environment.
The power of zoos and aquariums
The publication examines how institutions worldwide are engaging communities to promote behaviour change by combining conservation education with practical support, empowering local groups, providing simple and replicable skills, and utilising tools such as citizen science, local advocacy, and behaviour change models to encourage nature-positive actions.
Zoos and aquariums are also enhancing the role of young people, teachers, and community educators through programmes that foster confidence, develop empathy for wildlife, promote science-based problem-solving, and instil conservation values in classrooms and community settings.
They are shaping policy and changing public stories, from rallying regional support for protected areas to building global momentum through storytelling, public pledges, and collective action that reshape conservation from crisis to hope.
Plus, they embed wellbeing as key to conservation, emphasising emotional resilience, nature connection, and holistic learning as vital for long-term pro-environmental behaviour, conservation efforts, and social change.
These stories collectively convey a powerful message: zoos and aquariums are not just places for learning and inspiration. They are active agents of positive change, forging a future where communities and nature flourish together.
The publication is free to download and share, here.
See also: Empowering conservation educators: inside IZE’s global mission for wildlife
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
