Frankfurt Zoo Recognized for Sustainable Development Education
The Frankfurt Zoo’s commitment to education for sustainability has earned it a prestigious certification from the Hessian state government.
On November 27th, the zoo received the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) certificate, a testament to its innovative approach to education and its dedication to fostering a more sustainable future. This recognition recognizes the zoo’s innovative educational programs and their significant impact in teaching visitors about environmental protection, a fairer society, a sustainable economy, and respect for cultural diversity.
“The animals in the zoo are central ambassadors for their counterparts who are threatened in nature,” explains Dr. Ina Hartwig, head of the cultural department. “Especially in a large city like Frankfurt with increasing urbanization and alienation from nature, the zoo’s educational work fulfills an important task. The zoo succeeds in reaching all social classes, ages and backgrounds. We are therefore very pleased about the great recognition through the BNE certification,”
Awarding the certification was a joint initiative by the four Hessian state ministries of Agriculture and Environment, Culture and Education, and Social Affairs and Economy. The zoo’s successful application highlights its dedication to integrating sustainability principles into its educational offerings.
The certification commission praised the zoo’s overarching educational strategy, which uses animals as ambassadors to illustrate important ecological issues. “Based on animal-assisted pedagogy, the educational offering is characterized by a highly multi-perspective approach and constant global references. In the educational offerings, the animals are always placed in the ecosystem context of their original habitats; the “humanization” of individual animals on site is specifically counteracted in order to strengthen their perception as wild animals and ambassadors of their species in their native habitat. Cross-habitat issues such as climate change, food supply, littering, light pollution, hunting, destruction of habitat, for example for arable land, and much more are discussed and reflected on with children and young people in a target group-appropriate manner and in connection with the ecological, social and economic contexts and global standards,” stated the commission.
“Our goal is to understand the effects of your own actions on the world and to show what you can contribute to a sustainable future,” says Martina Weiser, head of the education and outreach department at the Frankfurt Zoo.
The zoos commitment falls in line with the establishment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, fifteen goals agreed upon by all UN Member States in 2015.
The award ceremony, held at the Wiesbaden State Chancellery, marked a significant moment for the Frankfurt Zoo. Representation from the Hessian government underscores the importance of this award, which recognizes the zoo’s role as a leader in promoting sustainability.
Dr. Nina Tebati and Martina Weiser from the Department of Education and Outreach accepted the certificate on behalf of the zoo.
The certification serves as a reminder of the importance of educating the next generation about the interconnectedness of living organisms and the challenges facing our planet. With a growing network of 60 certified educational providers across Hesse, the movement toward sustainable development is rapidly gaining momentum.
How does the Frankfurt Zoo’s location within a bustling city like Frankfurt contribute to its impact on sustainability education?
## Frankfurt Zoo’s Commitment to Sustainability Recognized!
**Host**: Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by [Insert Expert Guest Name], an expert in zoo education and sustainable development. The Frankfurt Zoo recently received a prestigious award, and we’re here to discuss its significance.
**Guest**: Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s fantastic news that the Frankfurt Zoo has been awarded the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) certificate by the Hessian state government. [[1](https://fzs.org/en/)]
**Host**: Definitely exciting! Can you tell us more about what the ESD certificate signifies?
**Guest**: Absolutely. This award recognizes the zoo’s commitment to creating educational programs that not only engage visitors but also encourage them to think critically about environmental protection, social justice, economic sustainability, and cultural diversity. It’s about connecting the dots and showing how these issues are all interconnected. [[1](https://fzs.org/en/)]
**Host**: So, how does the Frankfurt Zoo achieve this?
**Guest**:
The zoo uses a unique animal-based pedagogy. They showcase animals as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, highlighting the importance of biodiversity and conservation. They take a multi-perspective approach, incorporating global perspectives and encouraging visitors to consider the wider implications of their actions.
Plus, they reach out to diverse audiences, making their programs accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
**Host**:
That’s impressive!
Dr. Ina Hartwig, head of the cultural department at Frankfurt, mentioned the importance of the zoo’s role in a bustling city like Frankfurt. Could you elaborate on that?
**Guest**: Sure. In today’s urban environment, people often lose touch with nature. Zoos can play a vital role in reconnecting people with the natural world and fostering a sense of responsibility towards our planet. The Frankfurt Zoo’s educational programs provide a valuable opportunity for people to learn about environmental issues in an engaging and accessible way. [[1](https://fzs.org/en/)]
**Host:** It sounds like the Frankfurt Zoo is setting a great example for other zoos around the world.
**Guest**: Absolutely! Their commitment to sustainability education is truly commendable. They are showing that zoos can be powerful agents of change, inspiring people to make a difference for the planet and for future generations.
**Host**: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today.
**Guest**: My pleasure!
