Farmers must be prepared to face climate change risks to ensure sustainable maize production. This paper aimed to investigate maize farmers' preparedness against climate change risks in Saki-West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods with 113 respondents through a questionnaire survey. The study found that respondents observed increasing rainfall (x̄=1.50) and temperature (x̄=133). Respondents primarily prepared for climate change by purchasing drought-resistant varieties and agrochemical inputs (x̄=3.27). The study found that farmers had difficulty in preparing for climate change due to a lack of access to extension agents (x̄=3.58), credit (x̄=3.47), and government policy (x̄=3.43). The multiple linear regression model found that participation in farmers' associations (β = -2.407, t=0.001) and access to extension agents (β = -4.645, t=0.002) were substantially associated with farmers' readiness for climate change risks. Therefore, improved extension services are recommended to the farmers.

This study investigated the use of weather forecast information (WFI) as an adaptation measure of climate change among maize farmers in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents for this study. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain data, summarized and presented by using tables, frequency counts, percentages and means while Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the relationships between variables. Results showed that the mean age, household size, farming experience, average annual income and farm size were 44.9 years, 8 people, 23.2 years, N692,583.3 and 5.0 ha respectively. Also, radio (95.8%) and fellow farmers (94.2%) were the key sources by which the respondents accessed weather forecast information. Half (50 %) of the respondents had a favourable perception towards WFI. Also, 55.8% of the respondents had high usage of WFI. However, its usage was impeded by poor agricultural extension service (=3.58), inadequate extension training on weather forecast (=3.42), lack of assistance in interpreting WFI (=3.40), inadequate electric power supply (=3.28), inadequate knowledge of WFI (=3.16), language barrier (=3.05) and untimeliness of WFI (=3.04). Statistically, there existed a significant association between the respondents’ land ownership and the utilisation of WFI (ꭓ2=13.218, p<0.01). Pearson correlation result revealed a significant relationship (p˂0.01) between maize farmers’ perception of WFI and its utilisation. (r=0.445, p<0.01). For improved adaptation to climate change in the study area, the study suggested an improved agricultural extension service to which could be achieved through the provision of climate field schools to improve farmers’ comprehension, interpretation, and utilisation of WFI.

The study examined the impact of environmental clubs on secondary schools’ students with the aim of determining students’ awareness of environmental problems, knowledge and connectedness to nature. It is a cross-sectional survey. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used. Seven (7) public schools were randomly selected for this study. A total of 457 students of public schools who were both members (313) and non-members (144) of environmental conservation clubs were surveyed in Akure. Data were analyzed descriptively while the hypothesis was tested with independent- test and simple linear regression. Level of awareness of environmental problems among the students was higher with members of environmental conservation clubs having a higher level of awareness than non-members. It also revealed that the respondents’ knowledge about nature was low and were more knowledgeable on the latest method of biodiversity conservation (297 respondents), State bird of Nigeria (265 respondents), and what is biodiversity (255). Members of environmental conservation clubs also had higher knowledge about nature than non-members. The respondents’ connectedness to nature was very high, members of conservation clubs had higher levels of connectedness to nature than non-members. The study suggests that students’ membership of environmental clubs impacts positively on their awareness of environmental problems, knowledge and connectedness to nature. It is recommended that the role of environmental clubs is made more relevant within the curriculum so as to empower students’ with skills to promote more environmental awareness, knowledge and connectedness to nature.

Festivals are events celebrated in a particular community to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people. This study investigated the awareness, participation and constraints to cultural festivals tourism in Idanre Hills Resort, Ondo State, Nigeria. Data collection was through admnistration of structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. The sample size was 250 tourists and 20 key informants. Data were analysed and presented descriptively. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data collected through interview was carried out. Logistic regression was used to test the hypothesis. The result of the study established the presence of four cultural festivals currently celebrated at Idanre Hills Resort. More than half of the tourists (57.2%) were not aware of the cultural festivals at the Resort while 26.0% particpated in cultural festivals. In addition, 52.4% of those not currently participating in cultural festivals at the Resort were willing to particpate in the future. The main potential constraints towards the development of cultural festival tourism identified was insecurity (Mean=4.20). Education (p<0.01), employment status (p<0.01), and income (p<0.0 ) were the determinants of tourists’ awareness of cultural festivals at the Resorts while education (p<0.01), religion (p<0.01), and employment status (p<0.01) were the determinants of tourists’ willigness to participate in cultural festival tourism at the Resort. Wider, aggressive, and sustained publicity and promotion of cultural festivals, adequate government support and security at the festivals destination are recommended..

The establishment and management of Protected Areas have become the cornerstones of biodiversity conservation strategies. However, efforts aimed to manage these areas have paid little or no attention to livelihoods and needs of the surrounding communities. Therefore, this study assesses the socio-economic predictors of the local people's needs and also establishes the link between biodiversity conservation and rural development. A survey of villages around four Nigerian national parks has been carried out to determine available infrastructural facilities, the facilities mostly desired by villagers and the socio-economic predictors of the local people's needs and their dependence on the national park resources. The selection of the study areas was performed through multi-stage random sampling, with a focus on villages within a 10-km radius of each national park boundaries. Primary data were collected from 1500 respondents in 106 local communities around four national parks, i.e. 22 around the Cross River National Park (CRNP), 22 around the Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), 27 around the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP), and 35 around the Old Oyo National Park (OONP). The collected data were analysed and presented descriptively, while logistic regression was used to identify the socio-demographic predictors of needs by local people. Results of the demographic characteristics show that there were more male respondents interviewed (73.2%) than female respondents (26.8%) in all four national parks. In all the four studied national parks, farming has a predominant occupation: CRNP (99.3%), GGNP (93.9%), KLNP (90.5%), and OONP (85.2%). The major number of respondents is married: CRNP (77.0%), GGNP (70.0%), KLNP (84.4%), and OONP (79.6%), and is within the age group of 15–25 years: CRNP (43.0%), GGNP (30.0%), KLNP (36.2%) and OONP (25.2%). All of the respondents interviewed in CRNP were Christians (100%), while the majority of respondents in GGNP (87.3%), KLNP (99.2%), and OONP (53.1%) were Muslims. In terms of educational qualifications, there was a high level of illiteracy among the people living around the studied national parks as most of the respondents in CRNP had primary (45.3%) and secondary education (32.7%). However, for the other three national parks, we demonstrated a higher percentage of non-formal education: GGNP (61.5%), KLNP (63.1%) and OONP (68.1%). The obtained results show that the study area is characterised by a lack of infrastructures, such as roads (96.4%), electricity (97.7%) and limited provision of service, such as medicine (91.1%), potable water (96.5%), and education services (86.6%). The majority of the interviewed respondents in communities around the national parks indicated the provision of health care centres (78.5%), boreholes/portable water (77.7%), roads (68.6%), the establishment of schools (59.7%) and employment (56.2%). Our results show that the communities' expectation was for basic infrastructures, such as the provision of potable water (77.5%), health care centres (78.5%), electricity (78.1%), and roads (68.9%). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the predictors of the respondents' infrastructural needs were gender (β = 0.068, p < 0.01), age (β = 0.032, p < 0.01), and education level (β = 0.047, p < 0.05). The study concludes that there is a need for the federal, state and local governments to provide the basic infrastructures in villages surrounding the studied national parks to reduce the pressure and over-dependence of the local people on the national park resources. The literacy campaign and conservation education should be taken to the grass-root because the majority of the local people are illiterates and live around biodiversity hotspots.

Tourist WTP was estimated using the contingent value method for conservation and protection of Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The Warm Spring is one of Tourist WTP was estimated using the contingent value method for conservation and protection of Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The Warm Spring is one of Nigeria's most beautiful environments, attracting a big number of tourists each year and serving as a significant ecotourism development location. In order to evaluate if demographic characteristics, awareness of natural resource conservation, tourist behavior, motivation, and satisfaction affect WTP, a face-to-face survey employing a questionnaire was done with two groups of tourists, domestic and international visitors to the site. The maximum amount that tourists were willing to pay was computed using the mean and median values. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors that influence tourists' WTP. For domestic tourists, the mean and median maximum amount they were willing to pay was US$2.57 and US$2.37 respectively, and for international tourists, US$1.27 and US$1.00. Age, education, income, domicile, and nationality all had an impact on the tourists' WTP, according to the research. It has been suggested that the site's management may use these elements to segment tourists for marketing purposes in order to secure the site's long-term viability.

The study examined the socio-economic activities of rural communities in Old Oyo National Park and their perception towards conservation. Ten villages were randomly chosen from the five ranges based on their proximity to the park. A total of one hundred and fifty-two (152) structured questionnaire were administered to obtain information from the local community. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the livelihood practices and the impacts of the park on their livelihoods. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The major occupations of the respondents around the park were farming (25.7%), trading (22.4%), Artisan (19.1%), and Students (12.5%). The results showed that the majority of the respondents were male (69.1%) while 31.9% were female. Many of the respondents (39.5%) experience a loss of right/control over protected resources. The result further revealed that the respondents (28.9%) experienced the loss of traditional access to the park, with serious impact on the livelihood of the respondents. Chi-square analysis showed that there is an association between gender (χ2 = 1.857 p<0.05) and perceived access to natural resources. The result further showed a significant relationship between the respondents’ perceived access to the park-related resources and their marital status (χ2 = 10.184 p<0.001), indicating that marital status positively affected their perception of the park resources. It is, therefore, recommended that there should be training on alternative sources of livelihood and also sensitize the communities about the needs for conservation.

The study assessed the relative abundance and vegetation structure of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) including plant parameters: frequency, diameter at breast height (dbh), tree height, diversity, evenness, richness, Margalef, dominance in Kainji Lake National Park. Point – Centered Quarter method was used for woody species enumeration. A total of twenty-eight (28) randomly sampled plots of 150m by 100m given 112 points per plot were established in the study area. The abundance and distribution, tree frequencies, heights, dbh and plant biodiversity indices were calculated using the Paleontological Statistics Software (PAST) for scientific data analysis. The results revealed that relative abundance of African buffalo in both morning and evening of dry and wet seasons in various habitats of the Park were 13.33 ± 4.41 and 11.33 ± 4.40 respectively. The study showed the highest mean value of 21.75 ± 6.94 representing 87 individuals in dry season compared to wet season with mean value of 15.25 ± 5.11 representing 61 individuals. A total of 91 woody plant species and 29 tree families were recorded in African buffalo habitats representing 80, 77, 68 and 59 tree species respectively. The highest average girth size of tree species was class between >10cm -50cm with 59.14 ± 4.06 and the highest mean tree height was height class of >3 - 10m with 91.43 ± 5.44. There were significant differences at (p<0.05) between the values of dbh, tree height, diversity, richness and evenness of plant species recorded in different habitats studied in the Park.

This study aimed to assess socio-demographic determinants of travel motivation and behavior of visitors in nature-based destinations in Northern Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was administered to 575 respondents at Chad Basin National Park; CBNP (69), Gashaka Gumti National Park; GGNP (165) and Yankari Game Reserve; YGR (341). Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results revealed that majority of the respondents at CBNP were males (72.5%), majority of the respondents at GGNP were females (77.6%) and majority of the respondents at YGR were males (53.1%). Visitors were majorly motivated to come to CBNP for enjoyment of nature (27.5%) while source of information about the parks revealed previous trip as the highest in CBNP (29%) and YGR (36.1%) while GGNP recorded friends and relatives as the highest (45.5%). They were majorly motivated to visit GGNP because they wanted to be away from hustle and bustle of cities (33.3%) and they were motivated to visit YGR for game viewing (33.4%). Furthermore, there is significant relationship between travel motivations and sex, marital status, education, occupation, nationality (P<0.01). The determinants of travel motivations were monthly income, occupation and nationality while the determinants of travel behaviours were the socio-demographic factors except age. Game viewing and nature attributes of nature-based destinations should be developed more as these attributes motivate people to visit the sites.

The study investigated the type, pattern and magnitude of threat factors in Kainji Lake and Okomu National Parks, Nigeria. Field Practical observation and socioeconomic data were adopted for the present study. A total of 60 and 42 field officers from the two Parks were interviewed. Seventeen potential threats that causes Syncerus caffer population decline were identified during the field work and eleven major threats through socioeconomic data. The most dangerous threat includes: shortage of fund, illegal grazing, illegal hunting and illegal cutting of trees. The study indicates that Syncerus cafferi are at risk and, that threats vary based on the ecological zone. Kainji Lake National Park was highly subjected to livestock grazing and hunting while Okomu National Park was prone to illegal cutting of trees. The Kruskal – Wallis test showed that, for both PASI and PARTI, threat scores were higher in both Parks (PASI - r (4) = 0.93, P = 0.0052, PARTI – r = 11.39, P = 0.0021. Multi-sectorial approach and support zone community involvement, are key factors to manage national parks effectively and to reduce prevalent anthropogenic activities resulting to population decline of Syncerus caffer in their habitats.

: This study examined the perceived values of the potentials of mountains and hills for the development in Ekiti State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 500 respondents from community residents and 384 visitors while questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, and means, while inferential statistical tools such as t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient and regression were used to test the hypotheses. The results of the hypotheses showed that there was statistically significant difference between the way community residents and visitors perceived the values of mountains and hills tourism development in Ekiti State in terms of non-use value (t=5.06**, p<0.01), recreation value (t=6.63**, p<0.01), intrinsic value (t=8.68**, p<0.01), use value (t=2.77**, p<0.01). The implication of the study is that the development of mountains and hills tourism in these communities will create both positive and negative responses arising from their varied opinions which will help to shape the entire structure and its future growth and development. It was recommended that the government of Ekiti should partner with the interested individuals and private sectors to develop mountains and hills in Ekiti communities so as to give tourism a jolt to prominence. Keywords: Communities, Visitors, non-use, recreation, intrinsic, use

It has been documented that broadening the genetic diversity of the livestock population through captive breeding and eventual domestication of game animals could be one of the palliatives for reducing animal protein malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. One of the game birds with wide culinary appeal in West Africa that can easily be captive-bred is the Doublespurred Francolin (Francolinus bicalcaratus). This study was therefore conducted to determine the growth, morphology and haematological indices of Double-spurred Francolin reared under intensive management condition. Eighteen eggs of Double-spurred Francolin collected from the wild were artificially incubated and hatched into chicks. These chicks were subsequently reared intensively for 24 weeks while taking data on their feed intake, growth, plumage development, vocalization and haematological indices. The growth curve of F. bicalcaratus was modelled from which the peri-pubertal period of this bird was determined. Also the number of rectrices and remiges from day old to the 24th week of age were determined while the first adult vocalization was observed in the fifth month. Francolinus bicalcaratus displays sexual dimorphism in terms of body size, vocalization and tarsal spur number and development. Double-spurred Francolin has growth and morphometric parameters that are similar to its other phasianid relatives and can therefore fit into the food security equation geared towards solving the perennial animal protein malnutrition problem especially in the West African sub-region. It is concluded that the bird is a good candidate for domestication and conservation, a two-in-one effort that could re-write its current global signature as an endangered bird species of West Africa.

Tropical forests and the animals they support are being threatened by rapid rates of forest conversion and degradation. The impact of Papio anubis on habitat regeneration within the marguba range of Old Oyo National Park was assessed, in-order to determine their role in seed dispersal. Five existing transects within the Marguba range of the Park were identified and marked at every 1 km for data collection. Population structure of Baboon troops sighted along the transects were recorded, feacal droppings and soil samples were collected along the transects. Vegetation assessment were carried out at 15 m radius around each feacal sample. Each feacal sample collected was examined for visible presence of seeds, and number of each seed extracted was recorded and sowed into its corresponding extraction site soil for germination trial. Replica of each seed extracted was procured from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria and treated appropriately before sowing, as control. A total of twenty Papio anubis from four troops were sighted, in four of the five transects. A total of eight seed species; Blighia sapida (8), Vitex donianan (5), Vitellaria paradoxa (13), Citrus pomelo (10), Piliostigma thonningii (16), Parkia biglobosa (10), Sarcocephalus latifolius (14) and Detarium macrocarpum (4) were found in the 18 feacal samples collected. Piliostigma thonningii and Vitellaria paradoxa trees were found to have the highest abundance, while Sterospermum kunthianum, Ficus thonningii, Pterocarpus erinacus, Securidaca longipedunculata and Grewia mollis were the least abundant during the vegetation assessment around feacal sites in the park. Seeds extracted from all the feacal samples showed reduction in weight compared to the control seeds. Blighia sapida, Vitex donianan, Citrus pomelo, Piliostigma thoningii, Sacrocephalus latifolius, Parkia biglobosa and Detarium macrocarpum were found to have a percentage germination rates of 39, 50, 50, 44, 36, 50 and 50 respectively, while Vitellaria paradoxa did not germinate. Days before emergence was shorter in seeds of Vitex doniana (14-19 days) and Daterium macrocarpum (7-8 days) compared to their control seed (25-26 days and 9 days respectively), while days before emergence in seeds of Piliostigma thonningii (14-20 days), Parkia biglobosa (14-18 days), Sacrocephalus latifolius (21-24 days) and Citrus pomelo (8-14 days) were longer compared to their control seed (10-11, 8-10, 14 and 7 days respectively). The days before emergence for Blighia sapida was the same with that of its control (16 days). This study concluded that P. anubis were agent of seed dispersal. Also, seeds that moved through the gut of Baboons has shown to remain viable, but its movement along the gut does not appear to effectively affect its dormancy. International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2020 Vol. 4, Issue 9, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 299-323 Published Online January 2020 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com) 300 Keywords-Ecosystem, Seed dispersal, Deforestaton, Habitat loss, Fragmentation, Frugivores

Service quality is one of the important elements to the achievement of customers' satisfaction. This paper examines the relationship between tourists' perceived destination service quality and tourists' satisfaction in Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi-Ekiti, Nigeria. The study was a self-administered questionnaire survey involving 383 randomly selected tourists at the Resort between January and July, 2016. Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, T-test, Pearson's correlations, and Chi-square. The total mean score for the perceived service quality (Mean = 4.00) was higher than the total mean score for tourists' satisfaction (3.23). Among service quality dimensions, responsiveness had the highest mean (Mean = 4.05) while for dimensions of customers' satisfaction, premises had the highest mean (Mean = 3.35). The findings of the study indicate that perceived service quality factors are highly significant for the tourists' satisfaction towards the destination. Findings also reveal that there are high correlations between service quality and satisfaction and their dimensions. The study concludes that satisfaction with tourism experiences that the tourists have towards the destination is modified by their perceptions of service quality during their visit. It is fundamental to improve the overall quality of the tourists' experiences, especially focusing on those attributes that report lower levels of satisfaction such as guestroom, personnel attitude and competence and restaurant and bar, and service quality attributes such as assurance, tangibles, and empathy.

This study assessed the level of community awareness and participation in ecotourism in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria. Data were collected in communities located in four ranges (i.e. administrative and protection zones) of Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. The ranges are Tede, Marguba, Sepeteri, and Oyo-Ile. Seven (7) communities out of 27 that are in Tede range were selected, eight (8) were selected from 12 communities in Marguba range, eight (8) were selected from 17 communities in Sepeteri range while eight (8) were selected from 30 communities in Oyo Ile range. The study was a questionnaire survey involving 150 respondents that were randomly selected from communities in the four (4) ranges of the Park. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s HSD, t-test and logistic regression. Results revealed that 48% of the respondents were aware of ecotourism while 52% were not. Also, 46% participated in ecotourism while 54% did not participate. A relationship exists between ecotourism awareness and participation (p<0.01). Community type (p<0.01) was the only predictor of community awareness of ecotourism while community type (p<0.01) and awareness (p<0.01) were the predictors of participation in ecotourism in the park. Awareness, active involvement of communities in stakeholder meetings, decision-making and provision of start-up capital are important for ecotourism development in the park.

The strength of rural based tourism revolves around its potential to change and upgrade the lives of those in the rural communities. Nevertheless, this form of tourism is challenged by such factors as poverty, low level of awareness and participation amongst rural residents, poor funding, as well as non-implementation of tourism policy frame work by government and other stakeholders. This study assesses residents’ awareness and participation in rural tourism development in selected tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria. They are Okomu National Park, Edo State, Idanre Hill Resort, Ondo State and Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ekiti State. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered on 500 local residents in the study areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression. The results showed that majority of the respondents in all the three study areas are well aware of tourism in their locality. The media of awareness were tourism facilities, radio and television, social media, marketing personnel and the newspapers. Also, majority (59.4%) of respondents participated in tourism activities in their communities while 40.6% did not participate. The study revealed that no significant difference existed among the local residents’ with respect to awareness of tourism. However, significant difference existed in the participation (p<0.05) of the host communities in tourism. It was also revealed that socio-economic status of the respondents was significantly related to their level of awareness of tourism activities and participation in the study areas.

This study was to determine specialization preferences and perceived motivational factors in ecotourism and wildlife management programme. Students in the department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria were selected for the study. A sample of 156 students was randomly drawn from 261 students in the Department. Data were collected with questionnaire while analysis was through independent T-Test, ANOVA and Pearson’s Correlations. Results showed that 74.4% of the students preferred Ecotourism Management while 25.6% preferred Wildlife management. Furthermore Observed mean values of the perceived motivational factors were lower than reported in previous studies.

The development of ecotourism market requires information on the users of ecotourism resources. This study focused on the description of the profiles, trip characteristics, and motivations of ecotourists in the seven National Parks in Nigeria. The population for the study was the ecotourists to the parks at the time of this study (October 2008 to May 2009 and October 2009 to May 2010). These periods represents ‘on seasons’ for recreational activities in the national parks. Collection of data was through questionnaire administration on three hundred and fifty (350) randomly selected ecotourists. Sample size of 350 ecotourists was based on 4000 visitors engaged in nature-based recreational activities in all the parks in 2007. Data obtained were presented descriptively and analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Multiple Linear Regression. The study revealed significant differences in ecotourits’ profiles, trip characteristics and motivations among the parks. Ecotourists’ profiles were also predictors of their trip characteristics and motivations. The findings could impact on management of ecotourism resources and marketing strategies in each of the parks since different markets require different approaches and needs. To fulfill the needs of the ecotourists and their satisfaction, continuous research in these areas is important particularly in emerging ecotourism markets like Nigeria.

Aims: This study determined the current aggregate levels of job satisfaction, the intrinsic, extrinsic and demographic factors that are related to the job satisfaction of Nigeria National Park Service employees. Study Design: This study was a questionnaire survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the seven National Parks being administered by Nigeria National Park Service. The parks are Chad Basin, Cross River, Gashska Original Research Article Ogunjinmi et al.; BJEMT, 6(3): 241-255, 2015; Article no.BJEMT.2015.058 242 Gumti, Kainji Lake, Kamuku, Okomu and Old Oyo National Parks. It was conducted from 2008 to 2010. Methodology: The study population was the employees of Nigeria National Parks. List of employees was obtained from each of the parks; the total number of employees was estimated to be 2000 individuals from which 231 (representing 11.6% of the population) were randomly selected for the study. About 300 questionnaires were distributed from where 231 were returned, amounting to 77% response rate. Data collection was through self-administered questionnaires. Job satisfaction was assessed using the modified form of Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the modified form of 2002 Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (VSWCD) Employee Evaluation. Results: The study showed that the overall job satisfaction of the employees was low. All the employees were not satisfied with any item of intrinsic job satisfaction factors while they were only satisfied with one item of extrinsic job satisfaction factors. They were also satisfied with five items of VSWCD employee evaluation issues. Education and monthly pay were the predictors of their overall job satisfaction while there were correlations between intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction factors and overall job satisfaction. Conclusion: The study has contributed to the existing knowledge of job satisfaction, particularly as related to conservation organisations’ employees. The study showed that job satisfaction level of Nigeria National Parks employees was low. They were not satisfied with any items on intrinsic job satisfaction factors while they were only satisfied with one item on extrinsic satisfaction. It is highly imperative for Nigeria National Parks Service to improve the working conditions, including pay and all other job satisfaction factors of employees in order to enhance their job satisfaction level.

This study assessed the roles of personal factors and school exposure in determining ecological knowledge and attitudes of secondary school students in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered on 135 students in 10 randomly selected schools. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regressions. The result showed that 63.7% of the respondents were male; the mean and median age was 15.3 years and 15 years respectively. The components of the environment were effectively covered by the science based classes than the non-science based classes. The students showed positive knowledge about all the items listed on water, pollution, energy, recycling, animals and other general issues. The predictors of students' ecological knowledge were sex (beta = 0.18, p < 0.05) and nature of class (beta = 0.34, p < 0.01). The study further revealed that there was a strong and significant relationship between the status of the school (beta = 0.26, p < 0.01) and the ecological attitude of the students. Also, the study showed that there was a significant relationship between school exposure through teachings (r = 0.18, p < 0.05) and their ecological knowledge and attitudes. It is therefore recommended enrichment of school environmental curriculum to ensure a sustainable ecological knowledge.