Planting the Seeds of Stewardship: Making Forest Conservation Matter to Urban Communities at Ontario's Royal Botanical Gardens

Abstract

As urbanization increases, green spaces within urban environments will play an important role in both biodiversity conservation and human health and well-being. It is critical to demonstrate the value of these spaces to the urban public in order to gain their support for urban conservation efforts. This project explores the factors that contribute to environmental stewardship in the urban public. It presents strategies to build environmental stewardship at Ontario's Royal Botanical gardens through novel visitor activities and experiences. The aim of the activities and experiences is to raise awareness of the benefits that urban green spaces confer and to foster feelings of attachment to them. The end goal is to facilitate the formation of pro-conservation attitudes in the urban public.