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Secondary Students’ Knowledge on Birds and Attitudes towards Conservation: Evaluation of an Environmental Education Program

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Listed:
  • Unai Ortega-Lasuen

    (Department of Didactics of Mathematics, Experimental and Social Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Oier Pedrera

    (Department of Didactics of Mathematics, Experimental and Social Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia San Sebastian, Spain)

  • Erin Telletxea

    (Department of Didactics of Mathematics, Experimental and Social Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

  • Oihana Barrutia

    (Department of Didactics of Mathematics, Experimental and Social Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia San Sebastian, Spain)

  • José Ramón Díez

    (Department of Didactics of Mathematics, Experimental and Social Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain)

Abstract

Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve holds a diversity of habitats and resources that are essential for migratory bird species’ conservation, and at the same time provides a rich milieu for the development of environmental education programs. This study evaluates the impact of a daylong and place-based environmental education program, performed at the Urdaibai Bird Center (UBC), on secondary education students’ environmental attitudes and knowledge. Students ( n = 908) completed a written questionnaire where their perceptions on the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and marshes, together with their interest in biodiversity, knowledge about bird migration and bird species identification skills, and attitudes towards conservation were assessed. Results show that students’ knowledge regarding Biosphere Reserves, marshes, and bird migration is limited, and that their bird identification skills are scarce. Although they scored high on environmental attitudes, a significant number of them feel that conservation efforts are excessive and hinder economic development. Students living within the Biosphere Reserve, as well as from rural milieus or who underwent primary education through a bird-centered curriculum hold a better knowledge of the local biodiversity. To adapt the environmental education program at the UBC, its integration in formal teaching/learning contexts via meaningful hands-on and/or project-based activities could be considered, together with the systematic evaluation of the outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Unai Ortega-Lasuen & Oier Pedrera & Erin Telletxea & Oihana Barrutia & José Ramón Díez, 2023. "Secondary Students’ Knowledge on Birds and Attitudes towards Conservation: Evaluation of an Environmental Education Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5769-:d:1142953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monroe, Martha C., 2010. "Challenges for environmental education evaluation," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 194-196, May.
    2. Heimlich, Joe E., 2010. "Environmental education evaluation: Reinterpreting education as a strategy for meeting mission," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 180-185, May.
    3. David U. Hooper & E. Carol Adair & Bradley J. Cardinale & Jarrett E. K. Byrnes & Bruce A. Hungate & Kristin L. Matulich & Andrew Gonzalez & J. Emmett Duffy & Lars Gamfeldt & Mary I. O’Connor, 2012. "A global synthesis reveals biodiversity loss as a major driver of ecosystem change," Nature, Nature, vol. 486(7401), pages 105-108, June.
    4. Anthony Waldron & Daniel C. Miller & Dave Redding & Arne Mooers & Tyler S. Kuhn & Nate Nibbelink & J. Timmons Roberts & Joseph A. Tobias & John L. Gittleman, 2017. "Reductions in global biodiversity loss predicted from conservation spending," Nature, Nature, vol. 551(7680), pages 364-367, November.
    5. Carleton-Hug, Annelise & Hug, J. William, 2010. "Challenges and opportunities for evaluating environmental education programs," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 159-164, May.
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