Swazi High School Students’ Attitudes Towards Conservation
Kelsey Kahn
Summer 2013
Perceptions of conservation vary based on individuals’ experiences with wildlife and education about conservation. Variables like affluence and proximity to nature reserves frequently determine access to specific experiences and education. Through the case study of Mlawula Nature Reserve, located in the lowveld of Swaziland, this project will explore how differences in experience and education impact high school students’ perceptions of conservation. I intend to address my question by distributing a questionnaire designed to assess attitudes towards conservation to high school students from three different schools that vary in affluence and proximity to Mlawula Nature Reserve. Results of the survey will be analyzed by comparing knowledge of students who attend schools closer to those who are farther from the reserve, examining which students from which schools have more frequently visited the reserve, and how approximated affluence of students has impacted their education and experiences with wildlife. Outcomes may help explain Swazi students’ attitudes towards wildlife protection and possibly identify ways to increase students’ investment in protecting biodiversity of Swaziland.
See the full project record here!