Fostering Environmental Conservation Literacy with Focus on Edible Tree Planting activities among Basic Science Students in Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental Conservation is the practice of preserving the natural world to prevent it from   collapsing, due of human activities. It is the protection, preservation, management or restoration of natural environment and the ecological communities that inhabit them. The need to conserve the environment is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future. By preserving ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and optimizing resource use, we can mitigate climate change, protect natural resources and promote the wellbeing of both present and future generations..Education is vital to enable a good practice of conservation. This study is an activity-based, experimental study, and involves all the Basic science students in Ado Local Government, Ekiti State. The sample is 100 basic science students selected through purposeful sampling technique. .The instrument for the study is a validated, self-constructed questionnaire to measure the environmental conservation literacy and attitude of Basic students, before and after the lessons. The study was a fourteen-week classroom and outdoor learning on ‘Conservation of the Environment’ .The treatment was activity-based, during which the students was given the opportunity to plant edible trees within their school environments. These  activities was in steps; Getting to meet the students (1 week) classroom teaching about, and importance of conservation/ planning for seed planting (4 week) planting location selection/ clearing (2 weeks),seed selection (2weeks)  procurement of seedlings and tools required  (2 week) planting (2 weeks) watering and seedling monitoring (4 weeks). The students were excited to learn and participate in tree planting, develop positive attitudes towards protecting plant-life and exhibit practices that conserves their environments. The study recommends tree-planting activities in secondary schools to better manage their school environments.