Cultivating Empathy for Non-Charismatic Intertidal Animals: Assessing the Potential Outcomes of an Empathy-Based Beach Naturalist Program

This study examines whether interactions with trained interpreters using empathy-focused messaging through the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program are associated with higher levels of empathy toward marine life. Empathy-focused messaging included perspective-taking, relational and anthropomorphic framing, individualization, and narrative storytelling designed to encourage visitors to consider the experiences of intertidal organisms. The study specifically emphasized less charismatic intertidal animals that are less likely to elicit immediate affective engagement, including organisms without readily discernable faces or eyes. Drawing on three summers of survey data (2023–2025) (n = 263) from beaches in the Pacific Northwest of the US, we assess affective and cognitive empathy among individuals who did and did not interact with a naturalist during a low-tide event. Respondents completed surveys with Likert and open-ended questions about empathy, what they learned, and how the experience might influence future behavior. Results indicate that encounters with trained interpreters using empathy-focused messaging are associated with increased empathy toward intertidal marine life. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions further shows that interactions are correlated with heightened awareness, stewardship and protection, animal-centered perspective shifts, and learning and knowledge sharing regarding shoreline ecosystems. These findings suggest that beach naturalist programming with empathy-focused messaging could strengthen both emotional and cognitive engagement with intertidal organisms while fostering more conservation-oriented behavior intentions. These results are relevant to scholars of environmental education and human–animal studies, as well as aquariums, parks departments, conservation organizations, and community-based educators seeking to promote more informed, empathetic, and protective engagement among residents and visitors in coastal environments.