Presenter Emily Routman will introduce a practical guide designed to help nature-based cultural institutions such as zoos and aquariums engage their audiences in ways that promote measurable conservation outcomes, including conservation action. Developed for San Diego Zoo Global and available to the professional community, the 2-part reference consists of 1) a conceptual framework that synthesizes findings from decades of research and case studies into a relatable model, and 2) a roadmap that outlines a structured approach to applying the principles to practice. The CARE model offers a unified strategy that blends environmental education techniques with methods used in targeted conservation action campaigns.
Emily Routman is a planning consultant to cultural institutions who specializes in developing guest experiences and organizational strategy. She has extensive experience working with zoos, aquariums and science museums, and has worked on staff at the San Francisco Zoo and the Saint Louis Zoo. Throughout her career, her passion for wildlife and conservation has fueled an insatiable interest in conservation psychology, in particular in following and contributing to the emerging understanding of how institutions that connect people with wildlife can move the public toward a sustainable relationship with nature.