This site uses cookies. View our Cookie Policy to learn more about how and why.

Regular hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm
Last entry at 5 pm

2020 DECO Conference

A white wave shape.
A blue and green banner featuring an illustration of three barnacles on the right and the text "Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes Conference" on the left.
In late November 2020, the Seattle Aquarium hosted the inaugural Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes (DECO) conference. Over 130 participants joined the virtual two-day convening, and these professionals represented over 60 zoos, aquariums, universities and other conservation organizations from the U.S., U.K., Australia and Denmark.

Seattle Aquarium hosted the inaugural Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes (DECO) conference in November 2020, bringing together professionals from zoos, museums, aquariums and universities to discuss what we know about empathy as a conservation tool, and what our field still wants to explore.

For proceedings and other resources from the 2020 conference, check out the links below.

DECO 2020 Conference Materials

DECO Conference
November 18–19, 2020
Day 1

Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes
 

Participants:
132 from 29 zoos, five aquariums, 11 universities and 17 other organizations, representing 24 states and Washington, D.C., the U.K., Canada, Australia and Denmark.

Purpose:

  1. Collectively summarize what is and isn’t known about the research on empathy and conservation.
  2. Collectively generate some preliminary research questions on empathy and conservation.
  3. Create connections between researchers and practitioners.

Keynote interview with Dr. BN Horowitz:

  • Rather than not being anthropomorphic, it’s more important not to be anthropocentric.
  • Anthropomorphism can be a useful tool in helping us understand animals and develop connections.
  • Empathy—and other experience and behaviors—are not uniquely human but rooted in a shared neurobiology.

Lightning Talks:

  • Sara Konrath—Empathy increases in complexity from physiological to cognitive and emotional.
  • Susan Clayton—We need more data on what kinds of zoo exhibits promote empathy.
  • Jerry Luebke—Adults who visit our facilities are predisposed to experience empathy and receptive to pro-environmental action.
  • Nette Pletcher—Pairing empathy practices with normal growth and development enhances environmental stewardship in kids.
  • Louise Chawla—Constructive coping: what I can do, what others are doing, what we can do together.

Conversations:

How do we bridge the research/practice divide?
How might we improve access to resources?
It will take some effort to undo old habits, but it’s worth doing.

DECO Conference
November 18–19, 2020 
Day 2

Developing Empathy for Conservation Outcomes

CASE STUDIES:

Autumn Russell

  • Current zoo language increases disconnect between people and nature (e.g. captivity, cage, etc.).
  • Replace:
    • Captivity with human care.
    • The wild with native habitat.
    • Holding with bedroom.
    • Cage with mesh.
  • New to the field were the first adopters.
  • Be intentional about language.

Inger Lerstrup

  • How can we design rich outdoor settings for preschool students?
    • Make habitats for plenty and varied creatures.
    • Let children share and learn from each other.
    • Support interest with tools and stories.
    • Allow experiments (within reason).

Research directions:

What’s missing?

  • Equity and cross-cultural work.
  • Empathy for non-living and non-animals:
    • Plants.
    • Taxidermy.
  • Intersections with other disciplines.

Barriers

  • Access to research.
  • Perception of expertise.
  • Timelines.

What now?

  • Increase opportunities for collaboration.
  • Conduct more research and evaluation.
  • Implement empathy work in an inclusive way.

2020 Session Recordings

Conference Resources

Continuing the Empathy Conversation

EMPATHY CAFÉ

To continue to build our community around empathy, the Seattle Aquarium is launching “Empathy Cafés,” a monthly web chat series to discuss topics of interest related to fostering empathy for conservation of wildlife.

Visit the Empathy Café page for more information.

[custom_side_nav]

Website maintenance

Please note: Our ticketing and membership systems will be offline for approximately two hours starting at 9pm Pacific on Tuesday, February 20. During the maintenance window, online ticketing and membership will not be available.

Thank you for understanding.

Support the Seattle Aquarium

Two sea otters at the Seattle Aquarium floating on the water in their habitat, holding onto each other demonstrating a rafting behavior.

With your help, the Seattle Aquarium builds connections with our community to inspire conservation and curiosity for marine life. When you make an end-of-year gift by December 31, you'll be joining us in protecting our shared marine environment—now and for generations to come. Thank you!

An adult sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium looking upwards with its front paws resting on its front.

Giving Tuesday

Make a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Seattle Aquarium

Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 thanks to a very generous anonymous donor!

Sea otter at the Seattle Aquarium laying on its back, raising its head and front paws.

Cyber weekend

Get 15% OFF all memberships!