From fear to coexistence: citizen science and environmental education to increase urban snake awareness and appreciation

Abstract

Abstract As urbanization intensifies, encounters between people and wildlife are increasing, often generating fear and conflict. A key example is interactions with snakes, which face strong cultural stigmas that hinder their conservation despite their fundamental ecological role in regulating prey populations. The Serpentes do Distrito Federal Project , implemented in Brasília, Brazil, a city where 70% of the territory still retains remnants of the Cerrado, provides a case study of how citizen science and environmental education can increase appreciation and awareness of these animals, fostering better human–snake coexistence in urban landscapes. Through participatory monitoring, structured data validation, interactive workshops, social media dialogue, and survey-based activities, the project combines data collection with emotional and cognitive learning processes. Over two years, the increase in voluntary record submissions, participant feedback during exhibitions, and inquiries from institutions indicate changes in people’s engagement with the project and in their perceptions of coexistence with snakes. Drawing on our experiences, we propose five recommendations to integrate biodiversity monitoring with public engagement within an ecology-with-cities framework. Together, these recommendations offer a replicable approach for increasing urban biodiversity awareness and promoting sustainable human–wildlife coexistence, particularly with species that may evoke fear or generate conflict.