Sea Turtle Education Program Development, Implementation, and Outcome Assessment in St. Kitts, West Indies

Published source details Stewart K.M., Norton T.M., Mitchell M.A. & Knobel D.L. (2018) Sea Turtle Education Program Development, Implementation, and Outcome Assessment in St. Kitts, West Indies. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17, 216-226.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use education and/or awareness campaigns to improve behaviour towards reptiles and reduce threats Action Link

Use education and/or awareness campaigns to improve behaviour towards reptiles and reduce threats

A study in 2015–2016 in Saint Kitts (Stewart et al. 2018) found that attending an educational summer camp about sea turtle conservation had mixed results on behaviour changes of attendees and their parents/guardians in relation to sea turtle conservation and turtle patrols. In response to a questionnaire, most former camp attendees and their parents/guardians reported a change in behaviour after attending the camp in relation to sea turtles (9–12-year-olds: 9 of 10; ≥ 13-years-olds: 19 of 24; parents/guardians: 34 of 39). Between 21 and 30% of attendees reported that they participated in a sea turtle patrol after attending the camp (9–12-year-olds: 3 of 10; ≥ 13-years-olds: 7 of 23; parents/guardians: 8 of 39). There was no significant increase in the likelihood of parents/guardians getting involved in marine conservation after their child attended the camp (data not reported). In 2007–2016, an annual sea turtle education camp was run that involved presentations, crafting activities and games on the topics of sea turtles and conservation. In 2015–2016, former camp attendees (attended 1–9 years previously) and their parents/guardians were invited to take part in the questionnaire regarding changes in their behaviour relating to sea turtles and the marine environment.