Virtual BIAZA Conservation Education Conference 2021

Meet the Presenter

Simon Garrett - Head of public engagement, Bristol Zoological Society

I started off catching minnows in the Thames, finding woodlice under bits of wood and watching deer in Richmond Park. Much, much later I gained a Biology degree at the University of Bristol and then secured a summer job at Bristol Zoo Gardens in 1989 painting faces, doing animal encounters, writing and illustrating education packs, etc. I then led a six-month biological expedition to Venezuela.  On my return in 1990 I took a year’s Education Officer job at the Zoo … and stayed. 

Over the next 30 years, I developed a large team involved in all aspects of learning and public engagement, progressing through several job titles. On the way I have participated in projects in Zimbabwe, Cameroon and the Comoro Islands,  had one of my rainforest sessions featuring as a Radio 4 programme, seen the publication of three iterations of World Zoo Association Conservation Strategies, and helped shape and set up our sister site, Wild Place Project.  I kick-started the Zoo getting involved in further and then Higher Education such that we now have over 300 students on degree courses delivered jointly with several local college and university partners (now mostly delivered by our much-expanded Field Conservation and Science team, but I and some of my team still deliver on these courses and I co-lead a Masters module on Communication for Conservation).

I am a member of the International Zoo Educators’ Association (having participated in countless national, European and international conferences over the years). I chaired the BIAZA Education and Training Committee for six years (many years ago, when we changed from being ‘the Federation of Zoos’ to BIAZA), I sit on the Natural History Consortium Steering Group and Communicate Conference Committee, and the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project Steering Group – and all too frequently I write sentences that are way too long (and have lots of parentheses).

Of course lots has changed through these pandemic times, but I still have the pleasure of working for one of the oldest zoological societies, celebrating its history but also striving to be at the forefront of things. Interesting times!

Supporting Resources

• Discussion Forum