2024 Volume 33 Issue 2 Pages 2_43-50
This paper discusses the principles of knowledge and knowledge systems that are significant in considering the construction and systematization of environmental education as a discipline from the perspectives of conservation biology and citizen science. Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary discipline with the goal of conserving biodiversity. Recognizing that conservation education is important for the conservation of biodiversity and its implementation, the Society for Conservation Biology has developed 5 principles as guidelines for conservation education in 2004. The guidelines are intended to describe the body of knowledge required for conservation literacy, rather than prescribe what specific individuals should achieve. The principles related to goals, values, concepts, threats, and actions are discussed. Citizen science is the participation of the general public (citizens) in the process of scientific research, often in partnership with scientists and a variety of organizations. Because citizen science is conducted by a wide variety of implementing organizations and covers many different fields, the European Citizen Science Association developed the 10 Principles of Citizen Science in 2015. The ten principles describe important considerations for planning, practicing, and evaluating citizen science projects. This commentary also discusses the significance of conservation education and citizen science in building a science of environmental education and bridging the gap between research and practice.
