High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

Change Through Social Media: Sparking Wildlife Conservation One Click at a Time

Change Through Social Media: Sparking Wildlife Conservation One Click at a Time

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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 students in the LEAD Scholars Academy at the University of Central Florida and have worked on this project through our animal-rights-based leadership class. We share a passion for animal rights and conservation education, and were excited to work with the Zoo Miami Foundation due to its strong commitment to protecting endangered species and its emphasis on education as a tool for inspiring public involvement in conservation.

We are immensely grateful to Dr. Winston for her guidance and mentorship. Additionally, we would like to thank Kyle Martinez for his invaluable assistance and support in all aspects of the project as our supervisor and primary liaison with the Zoo Miami Foundation, and Dr. Frank Ridgley for providing firsthand insight into his conservation work. Finally, thank you to Zoo Miami and the LEAD Scholars Academy for the opportunity to complete this project, and to everybody else who supported our project.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

As the natural world faces unprecedented threats, conservation efforts depend not only on research and policy but also on public awareness and engagement. This project partnered with the Zoo Miami Foundation to promote awareness through social media initiatives and interactive educational events at the University of Central Florida.

The authors began by studying Zoo Miami’s ongoing conservation projects and the specific environmental pressures faced by endangered species and habitats. To align with Zoo Miami’s exceptional standard of credibility, the team conducted in-depth research that extended beyond the foundation’s website to create material that served to both inform the general public and inspire greater emotional connection while encouraging real-world action.

To translate research into impact, the team created original graphics and captions for Zoo Miami’s social media platforms, targeting topics where the foundation identified the greatest need for awareness. Instagram was chosen for its ability to connect emotionally with younger audiences most likely to turn interest into advocacy.

Beyond social media, the project expanded into direct education by hosting interactive events for UCF students. These sessions featured multimedia educational resources and interactive activities, fostering discussion and curiosity about wildlife protection. Attendance and participation exceeded expectations, with many attendees expressing increased motivation to learn more and take conservation-related action.

Key outcomes included heightened engagement among attendees, anecdotal evidence of increased conservation awareness, and stronger visibility for Zoo Miami’s mission. Future initiatives will expand to raise awareness about additional endangered species and develop more interactive educational events that empower continued conservation engagement.

Additional Resources

[1] Komives, S. R., & Wagner, W. (2016). Leadership for a better world: Understanding the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

[2] Zoo Miami. (2025). https://www.zoomiami.org/

Keywords

Animals, Animal Rights, Wildlife Conservation, Conservation, LEAD Scholars, Service Learning

Change Through Social Media: Sparking Wildlife Conservation One Click at a Time


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