When and Why Do These Topics Come Up in Museums, Zoos, Aquaria and Parks?

Now that you have some ideas about how to interpret environmental controversy, let’s examine when to expect these issues to arise and why they may become topics of discussion and debate in your institution. At nature centers, natural history museums, science centers, zoological parks, aquaria and national parks, where the collection itself and the way it is kept may raise environmental concerns, controversy may be commonplace. That is not to say, however, that other types of museums are exempt from dealing with these issues. There are a plethora of reasons why tough environmental questions may be at the forefront of the visitor’s mind. Here are just a few:
§  Current Events: Whether it’s oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico or new data about the melting polar ice caps, negative headlines are sure to raise awareness of the myriad environmental controversies affecting the world today. Issues that once flew under a visitor’s radar may suddenly spark their interest once they become front-page news. Keep abreast of the global goings-on and you’ll be less likely to be caught unawares by a sudden upsurge of New York Times-inspired curiosity.
§  Movies/Books/TV: The entertainment industry can have a massive influence on national interests. A blockbuster about a modern-day ice age or a best-seller that vilifies grizzly bears is bound to get folks talking about touchy subjects. But educator beware: the movies, books and TV shows that shine a little light on environmental issues may be rife with misinformation. Be prepared to entertain debate and carefully address misconceptions when necessary.
§  Traveling Exhibitions: Temporary exhibitions can earn your institution some serious cash, so sticking to “safe” topics isn’t always a primary concern when shopping around for audience-attracting blockbusters. Controversy always draws a crowd. As an educator, you always have to work with what you’ve got, which may mean addressing environmental concerns even if they are not your traditional domain. For example, your art museum may bring in an exhibition of sculptures made entirely of recycled materials, thus opening the door for debates about sustainability. This is when doing your homework can really help: read up on subjects that may be unfamiliar, visit local museums that deal with these issues regularly and ask how previous host institutions handled the questions raised by the exhibition.
§  Institutional Events: Did your institution just complete its LEED certification? Has it successfully bred an endangered specie in captivity? Was it criticized in Newsweek for its massive carbon footprint? Events such as these will draw attention to your institution’s role in related environmental controversies. Whether that attention is positive or negative, be sure to familiarize yourself with your institution’s official response.

The issues discussed in this blog can be tough to deal with – don’t make things harder for yourself by being caught unawares. Pay attention to what’s happening inside and outside your institution and you’ll have a better idea of what’s on your visitors’ minds and how to engage them in meaningful discussion.