Environmental education from botanical gardens: a current need

La educación ambiental desde los jardines botánicos: una necesidad social actual

Abstract

Environmental education in botanical gardens generated reflection processes that led to significant learning of individuals, groups and communities, by evidencing the intimate relationship between biological diversity and cultural diversity. The objective of this work is to argue the current social need for environmental education from the Cuban botanical gardens. The methods of analysis and synthesis, historical and logical analysis, open, direct, and participant observation, conducting semi-structured interviews, and documentary study, served as a theoretical and methodological foundation for the research carried out. The role of environmental educators in Cuban botanical gardens, the main educational actions developed (campings, talks, circles of interest, contests, exhibitions, festivals and thematic workshops, bird watching, community projects, hiking, guided tours) and the target groups to which they are directed (artisans, decision makers, students of different educational levels, market gardeners, teachers, elderly people and people with different abilities and the general public). Emphasis is placed on the current social need for environmental education in Cuban botanical gardens.