Differences and Similarities in Organizational Visions, Goals, and Conservation Message Strategies in Academic, Nonprofit, and For-Profit Aquariums: A View from the Inside

• In Event: Scholar to Scholar V
  In Paper Session: Congruency of Discourse in Environmental Communication: Differences and Similarities in the Changing World of Aquariums

Abstract

Aquariums support numerous conservation causes, environmental research, and are considered to be at the forefront of raising awareness of environmental efforts in the United States. This paper will compare the conservation-related visions and goals of three types of AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) aquariums: for profit, not-for-profit, and academic-based. Data will be collected from interviews conducted with Education Directors at different institutions, analyses of aquarium websites, and educational and promotional material available to the public. Similarities and differences will be identified, communication-related strategies will be discussed, and the methods these three types of aquariums use to deliver conservation messages to the public will be explored.

Author

• Rick Buerkel, Central Michigan University