STEP INTO NATURE: USING INTERPRETIVE WALKS TO PROMOTE WILDLIFE AWARENESS AND STEWARDSHIP
Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources
James Davis
County Extension Director
UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County
Bushnell
Abstract
Florida supports one of the most biologically diverse environments in the United States, yet rapid population growth and development continue to place increasing pressure on natural habitats. Florida’s population increased from approximately 22 million residents in 2022 to more than 23 million in 2025, adding over one million residents in three years. Continued growth and land conversion contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation, increasing the need for educational programs that help residents understand and conserve Florida’s natural resources. The objective of this program was to increase residents’ knowledge and appreciation of native wildlife while encouraging outdoor engagement and conservation behaviors through guided interpretive nature walks. Guided interpretive walks were conducted at local conservation areas where participants learned through direct observation and discussion. Educational activities consisted of two-to-three-hour interpretive walks focusing on wildlife identification, insects, animal scat, animal sign, invasive species, and ethnobotany, including historical and current uses of native plants encountered along the trails. Follow-up surveys were used to evaluate knowledge adoption and behavior change among participants from 2022–2025. Sixty-two percent (29 of 47) reported making changes in their daily routine related to outdoor activities or nature engagement. Eighty-seven percent (40 of 46) shared newfound knowledge or identification skills of native wildlife with others, and 87% (41 of 47) incorporated knowledge gained from interpretive hikes into their daily lives. Participants also reported sharing invasive species identification knowledge with others (83%, 39 of 47) and encouraging friends or family members to participate in nature-related activities or interpretive walks (94%, 44 of 47). Additionally, 57% (36 of 63) reported visiting new parks or wildlife management areas to observe wildlife after attending hikes, and 24% (14 of 58) reported taking up birdwatching as a hobby. Conservation behaviors were also observed, with 74% (14 of 19) providing habitat for birds, butterflies, or other native wildlife in their landscapes and 74% (14 of 19) successfully identifying one or more wildlife species after attending hikes. These findings demonstrate that interpretive nature walks are an effective Extension strategy for increasing wildlife awareness and promoting conservation behavior change among residents.
Authors: James Davis
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James Davis County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County , Florida, 335138716