High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

How Interaction Shapes a Zoo Visit

How Interaction Shapes a Zoo Visit

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Course Code

LDR

Course Number

3215

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Haley Winston

Faculty/Instructor Email

haley.winston@ucf.edu

About the Author

We are a group of students in a service learning class focused on Animals Rights within the LEAD Scholars Academy. As reflected by our project, we are passionate about conservation and education. We would like to thank the Central Florida Zoo, George, Rebecca, and Emilie for hosting and organizing these event along with Miss Patty, the other volunteers, and the rest of the zoo staff for making these events fun.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

As a group, our team wanted to work with an organization that had ties to conservation and wildlife, as that is something we are very passionate about. Nowadays, animals are more prone to extinction due to habitat destruction, deforestation, urbanization, and climate change. It is important to raise awareness not only about the problem but also about potential solutions. This is also something that the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens is passionate about, given their mission statement to be a conservation resource providing experiences that excite and inspire children and adults to learn and act on behalf of wildlife. We were able to accomplish our goals by volunteering and promoting multiple events the zoo held, such as the Zoo Boo Bash or the Asian Lantern Festival. Engaging more with organizations like The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is crucial, as these organizations heavily rely on volunteer work especially for their seasonal events. Through positive engagements with the guests, the events promote the zoo and will bring visitors back to the zoo again, supporting their conservation efforts. Guests reported that they sincerely enjoyed the events and we were personally asked by the volunteer coordinators to come back next year and for future events.

Additional Resources

  • Dr. Winston, Haley (2024) LDR3215 Leadership through service: An advanced leadership experience-animal rights, University of Central Florida

  • Godinez, A. M., & Fernandez, E. J. (2019). What is the zoo experience? How zoos impact a visitor’s behaviors, perceptions, and conservation efforts. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1746–1746. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01746

  • Komives, S. R., & Wagner, W. (2017). Leadership for a better world: understanding the social change model of leadership development. Jossey-Bass.

  • Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Retrieved from https://www.centralfloridazoo.org/

  • About AZA Accreditation. Retrieved from https://www.aza.org/what-is-accreditation

Keywords

leadership; animal rights; conservation; animal education; Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden; LEAD Scholars Academy; volunteering

How Interaction Shapes a Zoo Visit


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