Charlotte SMITH

Charlotte has extensive experience in conservation and nature based education, behaviour change and community engagement. As Director of Conservation Education she is responsible for the Chester Zoo's work to empower people to live more sustainably for nature and to build connections between people and nature. She leads teams developing engagement programmes, interpretation and interventions with zoo visitors, communities, young people and schools – ensuring that Chester Zoo enables the broadest range of people to become inspired by nature and actively involved in conservation. Charlotte has particular expertise in strategic planning for education, is an experienced evaluator and has collaborated on several peer-reviewed publications. Her interests include youth voice, leadership, children’s play, conservation psychology and behaviour change, equity, nature connectedness and human wellbeing. She is currently Chair of the IUCN National Committee UK Education and Communication Working Group, member of the IUCN Commission for Education and Communication and the Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.