Impact of wetlands in public gardens for conservation messaging
Date
2013
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Wetlands have been neglected and threatened, and have dwindled to only a
half of their original size in the United States. Today, the loss and degradation of
wetland ecosystems is still continuing rapidly. Lack of connections among wetland
science, public awareness, and government regulations contribute to complex wetland
issues.
Public gardens have extraordinary potential to strengthen the connection
between people and nature. They can play a significant role in moving the trend away
from destroying wetlands and wildlife species through aesthetic displays, educational
programs and conveying conservation messages. Although wetland ecosystems have
great value, few studies have demonstrated the impacts of wetlands in public gardens.
The objective of this study was to examine how wetlands in public gardens are
used differently according to their respective missions, especially for aesthetics,
education, and conservation. In particular, this study emphasized the differences in
wetland utilization between public gardens with or without conservation missions.
A survey was sent to 69 public gardens in North America representing 28
states and 51 completed the survey. The survey results were utilized to analyze overall
wetlands practices in public gardens, as well as to verify the differences between
conservation mission-based institutions and those that are non-conservation mission-based.
From those, three institutions were chosen for case studies to focus on more
specific aspects. The survey and case study data indicated significant differences between both
groups in terms of perception of wetland conservation, collaborations, and aesthetic
viewpoint of biodiversity.
Wetlands are sufficiently complex that public gardens need to explore the best
ways to connect them with their missions. Results from this study can be used by
public gardens to manage or create their wetlands sustainably, as well from aesthetic
and educational perspectives.