Problem Statement

Nature centers and environmental education institutions are vital for fostering informal environmental education, allowing learners to control their engagement while educators guide content delivery. However, socioecological systems are undergoing significant degradation due to climate change and biodiversity loss, leading to a decline in essential ecosystem services and negatively impacting human well-being. Additionally, the growing prevalence of “nature deficit disorder,” a term coined by Richard Louv, highlights the detrimental effects of reduced interaction with nature, particularly among younger generations.

Approach

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interpretive signs in promoting environmental literacy and engagement. Evidence suggests that well-designed signs can significantly enhance learning experiences and influence visitor behavior. However, best practices indicate a need for high connectivity between the content presented and the readers’ lived experiences or prior knowledge. Our study will analyze how interpretive signs are crafted and the type of connections seek to make with visitors, ensuring they resonate meaningfully with diverse audiences. We are assessing interpretive signs globally, with specific foci in the United States; northern Europe, specifically in Poland, Germany, and Iceland; as well as at sites across continental Africa and South America. 

Research Overview

This research will involves on-site visits to hundreds of environmental education centers, and the photographing, documenting and analysis of textual materials presented to visitors. By employing qualitative and quantitative content analysis, we will investigate how frequently and effectively these centers employ various intellectual and emotional connection points for visitors. We integrate data collected from centers across the globe, fostering discussions about the evolving role of environmentally-focused interpretive signs in enhancing environmental literacy and engagement on a global scale.