How it came about

Jeff Corwin is also the main driving force behind the construction of EcoZone, which is located at Norwell, Massachusetts. He had an idea to build an exhibit which represents the ecosystems of South-eastern Massachusetts, and also wanted to incorporate the interactive aspect into the exhibit such that the visitors are able to better experience the habitats that the wildlife live in. As such, he proposed this idea and with his imagination and directions, worked together with the South Shore Natural Science Center, to create EcoZone.

Features and Aims

Features of this exhibit include having a life-sized model of a red maple tree such that the roots allows the turtles in the exhibit to climb around. The main selling point of this exhibit lies in how it is designed to be interactive- there are hollow logs in which children and adults can crawl through. These features are implemented in order to replicate the natural habitats that wildlife live in so as to provide a unique experience that the visitors can not get elsewhere.

As such, through replicating real habitats, visitors can better learn more about the different habitats in Massachusetts by experiencing it themselves at the comfort of the exhibit without exposing themselves to danger at wild forests. This educates and benefits the visitors to a much greater extent as compared to exhibits that provides minimal interaction between the visitors and the habitat or wildlife, due to their usage of glass panes as a means of segregation. As it is said that people are more easily persuaded after experiencing things or events for themselves, this can better raise awareness regarding endangered species, and hence encourage more people to join in the conservation efforts of nature as well as wildlife.