The recent United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, brought renewed attention to the urgent need to protect biodiversity and turn international commitments into meaningful action.
Among discussions on conservation targets, funding and progress, one development stood out for those working in education: the recognition that helping people understand, connect with and take action for nature is an important part of biodiversity conservation.
For zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and nature attractions, this presents a valuable opportunity to reflect on the role education plays in the visitor experience.
These organisations already create extraordinary opportunities for people to encounter wildlife, discover new ideas and develop a greater appreciation for the natural world.
But as expectations around conservation education continue to evolve, an important question remains:
How can we ensure these experiences have a meaningful impact beyond the visit itself?
What did COP17 mean for biodiversity education?
COP17 marked the first collective review of progress towards the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets out international commitments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
The conference highlighted the considerable work still needed to turn global ambitions into meaningful progress. Governments agreed the Yerevan Pathway, intended to accelerate action towards the framework's targets.
Importantly, delegates also adopted a decision on communication, education and public awareness, welcoming a draft Global Plan of Action for Education on Biodiversity.
Although the plan remains under development and does not introduce new mandatory requirements for UK visitor attractions, its direction is encouraging.
It recognises that biodiversity education should extend beyond sharing information, helping people develop knowledge, skills, values and meaningful connections with the natural world.
It also acknowledges the importance of learning outside traditional classrooms.
For visitor attractions, this reinforces something many education teams already understand: some of the most powerful learning experiences happen when people are given opportunities to explore, discover and connect with nature for themselves.
Moving beyond awareness
Conservation education has always played an important role in helping visitors understand wildlife, habitats and environmental challenges.
Interpretation panels, keeper talks, school workshops and guided experiences all contribute to this understanding.
But effective education can achieve more than communicating facts.
It can encourage curiosity, build emotional connections and help visitors recognise their own relationship with the natural world.
Consider an aquarium exhibit exploring marine pollution.
Sharing information about threats facing marine wildlife is valuable. However, an experience that encourages visitors to investigate the causes of pollution, consider its wider impacts and explore realistic ways to help can create a more meaningful learning opportunity.
Similarly, a woodland activity might move beyond identifying native species and invite visitors to investigate habitats, make observations or discover how they can support biodiversity in their local communities.
These approaches do not necessarily require significant investment.
Often, they begin with thoughtful educational design and a clear understanding of what an experience is intended to achieve.
Making education part of the whole visitor experience
When we think about education within a zoo or aquarium, it is easy to picture a classroom, a dedicated education team or a scheduled school visit.
But learning happens throughout the visitor journey.
It happens during conversations with staff, through exhibition design, along nature trails and in those unexpected moments when something captures a visitor's imagination.
This creates an opportunity for attractions to consider education as an integral part of the wider visitor experience.
How well do interpretation, conservation messaging and visitor engagement work together?
Are learning opportunities accessible and engaging for different audiences?
Do visitors understand the conservation work taking place within the organisation?
And are they leaving with a greater understanding of why that work matters?
A joined-up approach can help ensure education feels like a natural part of the attraction rather than something separate from it.
Connecting global conservation with local action
One of the strengths of zoos, aquariums and nature attractions is their ability to make global environmental challenges feel relevant and accessible.
Biodiversity loss can seem distant or overwhelming. Yet learning about a native species, exploring a local habitat or discovering the work of a conservation project can make these issues much more tangible.
There are opportunities to connect educational experiences more closely with the conservation work already taking place within an organisation.
A species recovery project might inspire a new visitor activity. Habitat restoration work could form the basis of a community engagement programme. Scientific monitoring might be translated into accessible interpretation or citizen science opportunities.
These connections help visitors understand not only the challenges facing nature, but also the positive work being undertaken to address them.
They can also strengthen the relationship between education, conservation and the wider visitor experience.
Understanding what makes an impact
One of the clearest messages from COP17 was the importance of demonstrating progress.
For visitor attractions, this provides an opportunity to reflect on how educational success is understood and evaluated.
Visitor numbers, school bookings and workshop attendance provide useful information, but they only tell part of the story.
What have visitors discovered?
Have their perspectives changed?
Do they feel more connected to the natural world?
Have they developed a better understanding of conservation or identified something meaningful they can do?
Not every outcome is easy to measure, and not every visitor experience requires formal evaluation.
However, clear learning objectives, simple feedback methods and opportunities for reflection can provide valuable insights.
These approaches can help organisations improve their educational offer while demonstrating the value of their work to colleagues, leadership teams and wider stakeholders.
Small changes can make a meaningful difference
For many attractions, educational ambition must be balanced with limited time, budgets and staff capacity.
This is particularly relevant as the sector prepares for the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Conservation Education Conference, taking place at Birdworld from 2–4 December 2026.
With the theme Positivity, Purpose and Perseverance: Innovating Education in a Challenging Industry, the conference will explore how conservation educators can continue developing meaningful experiences while navigating changing expectations and limited resources.
Topics including evaluation, nature connection, inclusive learning and turning sustainability into action reflect many of the opportunities highlighted by the discussions at COP17.
The good news is that meaningful improvements do not always require expensive technology, major new exhibits or a complete programme redesign.
Sometimes, the most effective starting point is reviewing what already exists.
Refreshing the questions used during a keeper talk, making interpretation more accessible, strengthening links between educational activities and conservation projects, or introducing simple evaluation methods can all contribute to a more purposeful learning experience.
The key is understanding what already works, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring education supports the organisation's wider objectives.
Looking beyond COP17
COP17 has not solved the biodiversity crisis, and considerable challenges remain in turning international commitments into measurable progress.
However, its recognition of biodiversity education offers an encouraging opportunity for organisations working directly with wildlife and the public.
Zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and nature attractions occupy a unique position.
They can bring complex environmental issues to life through real places, living collections, specialist knowledge and memorable experiences.
The opportunity now is to build on the valuable work already taking place and consider how every visitor experience can contribute to a greater understanding of the natural world.
Because meaningful conservation education is not simply about what visitors discover during their visit. It is about the curiosity, understanding and connection they carry with them afterwards.
---
How Living Learning can help
At Living Learning, we support zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, nature attractions and other visitor destinations across the UK to develop purposeful, engaging educational experiences.
From reviewing existing learning programmes and visitor interpretation to developing education strategies, resources, staff development and practical evaluation approaches, our work is collaborative and tailored to each organisation.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your school offer, engage the wider visiting public or better understand the impact of your education programmes, we'd love to hear from you.
Looking to make more of your attraction's educational potential?
Get in touch to explore how we can support your next steps.
---
Sources and further reading
The following resources provide further information on the outcomes of COP17 and current developments in conservation education.
1. Convention on Biological Diversity (2026)
UN Biodiversity Conference charts Yerevan Pathway to accelerate global action for nature.
Official summary of COP17 outcomes, including the first global review of biodiversity progress and decisions to accelerate implementation.
https://www.cbd.int/article/cop-17-closes
2. International Institute for Sustainable Development (2026)
2026 UN Biodiversity Conference — Summary Report.
Independent reporting on COP17 negotiations and decisions, including the draft Global Plan of Action for Education on Biodiversity.
https://enb.iisd.org/un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop17-summary
3. Convention on Biological Diversity (2026)
COP17 — Communication, Education and Public Awareness.
Decision text welcoming the draft Global Plan of Action for Education on Biodiversity and encouraging its voluntary use.
https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/8632/5cb1/e6d633b4e6b18b1d5af43d1f/cop-17-l-04-en.pdf
4. British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (2026)
BIAZA Conservation Education Conference 2026.
Information about the December conference, its theme and the current priorities being explored by conservation educators.
https://biaza.org.uk/events/detail/conservation-education-conference
5. Zoological Society of London (2026)
ZSL at COP17.
Conservation priorities and recommendations for international biodiversity action, including the role of education.
https://www.zsl.org/convention-biological-diversity-cbd-cop17