Exploring principles of good practice: learning from a meta-analysis of case studies on education within conservation across the WWF network

This article identifies good practice in education within conservation by reflecting upon a recent international evaluation of the educational work of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) that considered what and how education can contribute to the realization of conservation goals. The evaluation (WWF, 1999a,b) indicated that WWF was achieving a range of significant conservation and educational outcomes and impacts and also identified a number of areas for organizational development. (See also Fien, Scott, & Tilbury, 2001.) A major data source in the study was a series of case studies from thirteen countries and regions where WWF works. A meta-analysis of these case studies has identified a set of principles of“good practice” for educational activities that are strategically focused within conservation programs. This article presents these principles exemplified by illustrations from the case study data.