Voices for Conservation
Voices for Conservation is a podcast series highlighting the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium community members and the conservation issues that matter to them. We focus on learning about our team members to build understanding and belonging. Voices for Conservation is hosted by the Volunteer Engagement team at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Voices for Conservation
Climate Fatigue and Burnout
In this episode of Voices for Conservation, Stacey and Philina chat about burnout, fatigue, and how Zoo professionals get a double dose of both from both climate change and zoo work.
Burnout and Fatigue Resources and Further Reading
Bemister, K. & Tawfik, M. (2023). Record, Recall, Reflect: A Qualitative Examination of Compassion Fatigue in Toronto Zoo Staff. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 4(2):413-426. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370671267_Record_Recall_Reflect_A_Qualitative_Examination_of_Compassion_Fatigue_in_Toronto_Zoo_Staff.
Burned Out on a Burning Planet: https://commonhome.georgetown.edu/topics/climateenergy/burned-out-on-a-burning-planet/
Climate Activism Without Burnout: Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Well-Being: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/news-events/climate-activism-without-burnout-evidence-based-practices-to-improve-well-being/
Climate Burnout Report: https://www.climatecritical.earth/report
Climate Change ‘Burnout’ is Taking Its Toll: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23112024/climate-change-burnout-taking-its-toll/
Climate Mental Health Network: https://www.climatementalhealth.net/.
Currin-McCulloch J., Nageotte N., Walker A., McDonald SE., Kogan LR. (2024). Experiences of Animal Loss and Grief among Zoo Professionals and Volunteers: A Qualitative Study. Animals. 14(20). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384838691_Experiences_of_Animal_Loss_and_Grief_among_Zoo_Professionals_and_Volunteers_A_Qualitative_Study
Currin-McCulloch J., Nageotte N., Walker A., McDonald SE., Kogan LR. (2025). Animal loss and grief in zoos: Qualitative insights to inform organizational support for zoo professionals and volunteers. Human-Animal Interactions 13(1). https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0004#:~:text=Research%20specific%20to%20US%20zoos,et%20al.%2C%202024).
Marino, J. (2023). Measuring Burnout in Zoo and Aquarium Professionals: A Case for Equity and Justice. Animal Keepers’ Forum, 50(4), 103 – 108. https://d197for5662m48.cloudfront.net/documents/publicationstatus/136748/preprint_pdf/268944da4d93e57ebcdaf30f82aee97d.pdf
Steentjes K. & Roberts E. (2024). Raising alarm bells for a struggling sector: taking a new approach to improve the wellbeing of climate change professionals. Front Psychol. 2024 Jul 19;15:1404252. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1404252. PMID: 39100553; PMCID: PMC11295274. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11295274/