-
Educational material
-
We published and distribute for free our educational booklet, “Messengers of the
Sea,” containing information on penguins and ocean conservation. The booklet is
an important educational tool for Spanish speaking audiences. For the
international community, we worked with Disney to create a digital “Penguin
education kit” in English and Spanish. Our famous “Penguins of the World” poster
includes info about all the penguin species of the world, including their
population size, distribution and conservation status. We developed a series of
two learning and activities books call Meet the Penguins. It is intended for two
educational levels: kindergarten and primary school, in Spanish and English. Our
goal is to reach children with our conservation message to raise awareness about
the importance of protecting all penguin species, the coasts and the oceans
where they live.
-
School trips
-
We target local education efforts at communities and schools near penguin
colonies so that the next generation will better value penguins. GPS organizes
trips for kids to visit penguins in their nearby natural areas, gives talks to
each class before the trips, and donates hundreds of books about wildlife and
conservation. So far over 6,000 kids have benefitted from this program.
-
Interpretation Exhibits and Signs
-
We participate in the design of interpretation centers, tourist trails, and
signs at penguin colonies that are open to visitors.
-
Sharing Knowledge
-
We transfer information about penguins and their habitat condition to
governments and wider audiences (tour guides, students, travel agents,
interested citizens) in a variety of formats and languages. We use mainstream
media (newspapers, magazines, radio, television) and other communication
strategies Our team gives lectures and talks for general community and specific
audiences (School and university students, government officials, conservation
agents, ecotourism operators). We also disseminate information about penguin
populations status and threats through technical reports submitted to
governments and interested parties.
-
Beach and penguin colony cleanup
-
Every year, before penguins arrive from their annual winter migration, we take
100 adolescents to collect garbage and debris from the beach and nesting areas
of colonies in Patagonia Argentina. Materials are then processed at a recycling
center. Much of this trash is plastic, making this a good opportunity to draw
attention to the problem of single-use plastic and ocean pollution.
Fostering a “conservation culture” wherein all people value and can
participate in conservation is our educational goal. By educating people about
penguins and the importance of healthy oceans we both involve and empower local
communities and reach decision makers.