Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Birds in the playground: Evaluating the effectiveness of an urban environmental education project in enhancing school children’s awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards local wildlife
After a six-week bird-feeding and monitoring project in school grounds, primary children showed gains in knowledge of local birds and in attitudes towards them. The largest gains were for children with little prior nature experience.
What's new
The 'Bird Buddies' project ran for six weeks in eight urban and suburban primary schools in Brighton and Hove (UK), with 220 children aged 7 to 10. Questionnaires before and after the project showed greater awareness of local biodiversity and significant gains in bird identification knowledge and in attitudes. Gains were greatest for children with little prior exposure to nature. Children and teachers rated the project positively, and one year later several schools were still feeding and watching birds.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
This suggests that a relatively short activity in school grounds may help build children's awareness of and attitudes towards local wildlife, especially for children who have had less exposure to nature. Urban schools in Aotearoa could adapt the idea to their local manu.
Putting it into practice
Run a six-week bird-feeding and observation project in your school grounds, with students recording local birds and taking ideas home to try.
How strong is the evidence
This is a multi-school pre/post questionnaire study with a reasonable sample of 220 children. The abstract does not mention a comparison group, and the results rely on questionnaires.
What to read
The full article, especially the results by children's prior exposure to nature.