Reduce. Reuse. Reconnect to the natural world around you through the EcoMind Explorers: Discovering Conservation Psychology Pre-College Program! During your week on campus, you will be introduced to the growing field of Conservation Psychology. This is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the relationship between humans and nature, with a special focus on encouraging conservation of the natural world.
What to expect:
- Since Conservation Psychology is interdisciplinary, you will be learning within an array of fields including health psychology, social psychology, consumer psychology, experimental psychology, environmental justice, and environmental communication
- Not only will you learn about the benefits of connecting to nature, you will also experience them through planned outdoor class activities
- Perform your own observational study of visitors during our field trip to either a New Jersey zoo or science center
- Hear from guest speakers within the field of Conservation Psychology
- Learn about the wide range of careers available to conservation psychologists
Covered topics include [but are not limited to]:
- Valuing nature at both the individual and group level
- Understanding and encouraging conservation behaviors at both the individual and group level
- Effective environmental communication strategies in advertisements and Public Service Announcements
- Ecotourism
- Theoretical, applied, and evaluative research within the field of Conservation Psychology. This ranges from research with local fishermen, hotel guests, and zoo/aquarium visitors, to research with CEOs and leaders of government and philanthropic organizations
- Applying conservation psychology principles to any career
EcoMind Explorers: Discovering Conservation Psychology will run during Session II: Sunday, July 20 – Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Program Director
Professor Dr. Nicole Conklin
conklinni@montclair.edu
Department of Psychology