Zoo de Barcelona celebrated 50 years of dedication to environmental education on Thursday, 27 November, with an event that brought together numerous professionals who have been involved in this work over the past half-century. The evening featured renowned scientist Martí Boada, Doctor of Environmental Sciences, geographer and naturalist, who shared his vision of the importance of education in helping people value and protect nature.
With this event, the team at Zoo de Barcelona reaffirmed its commitment to preserving biodiversity and raising awareness among new generations. The contribution made by Zoo de Barcelona’s staff to educating the country’s children and training university students, scholars and researchers has also been highlighted through collaboration with universities and various institutions dedicated to zoology, conservation and animal welfare, among other disciplines.
50 years of education at Zoo de Barcelona
In 1975, under the direction of Antoni Jonch, Zoo de Barcelona created the ‘Escuela Técnico-Práctica’ with the eminent primatologist Jordi Sabater Pi as its first head. It was a leading and pioneering department at a time when there were not as many institutions as there are today dedicated to outreach or environmental education. At that time, the zoo was in a phase of expansion and modernisation.
Through that department, Zoo de Barcelona forged the first partnerships with schools and with the educational curriculum. They offered guided visits to the park that made it possible to learn about animal biology, always ensuring the accurate transmission of scientific knowledge and seeking an informative and educational approach. It also launched zoology courses for adults with fieldwork that achieved great prestige. Family activities and holiday schemes for children, among other more recreational initiatives, were also gradually introduced.
Since the beginning of its educational work, Zoo de Barcelona has awakened naturalist vocations and inspired future scientific careers.
An evolving awareness programme
Zoo de Barcelona has the mission of preserving the planet’s biodiversity, and a fundamental pillar of this work is educating future generations in respect for nature and the environment. For this reason, it adapts to changes in society and currently emphasises the importance of conserving biodiversity and the effects of climate change and human activity on the planet’s ecosystems.
Recently, the zoo has designed an innovative educational project that joins forces with schools to offer inspiring experiences so that children and young people can develop curiosity, scientific skills and an understanding of the world around them in a dynamic and enjoyable way. Each year, about 20,000 children and young people pass through the zoo’s classrooms.
Zoo de Barcelona does not operate as an isolated centre in the field of education; networking is essential for driving positive change in the world. It has always played an essential role in institutions and associations related to pedagogy and environmental education, as well as in zoos. It is part of the Pedagogical Innovation Council of Ajuntament de Barcelona, and is an active member of the education sections of the Asociación Ibérica de Zoos y Acuarios (AIZA) and the European Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA).
This network of collaboration enables Zoo de Barcelona to share experiences, learn from the best international practices and amplify the impact of its educational work beyond Barcelona.
