Teacher training as a means to sustained and multiplicative behavior change: An example using fuel-efficient stoves

Area of Science:

• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Education
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Habitat degradation in Kibale National Park, Uganda, driven by firewood collection, threatens chimpanzee populations.
• Reducing community dependence on fuelwood is crucial for effective conservation efforts.
• Long-term behavior change is a significant challenge for conservation education programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term impact of teacher training on fuel-efficient stove (FES) construction.
• To evaluate retained knowledge and attitude changes in students exposed to FES education.
• To measure sustained community behavioral change in reducing environmental impact.

Main Methods:

• Teacher training on FES construction to mitigate habitat encroachment.
• Monitoring student knowledge and attitude changes in program vs. control schools over 2 years.
• Tracking the number of FES built by teachers and students over 4 years.

Main Results:

• Consistent improvements in student knowledge and attitudes were observed in program schools, not control schools.
• Teachers and students built an average of over 150 FES annually for 4 years.
• The training led to sustained, multiplicative behavior change.

Conclusions:

• Teacher training is an effective strategy for achieving sustained behavior change in conservation education.
• This approach can mitigate threats to wildlife, such as chimpanzees, from habitat encroachment.
• FES construction programs show potential for long-term positive environmental impact.