Value the environment and be a steward of the future as well as the past is one of the Happy Museum Principles – for relevant tools and resources see links below.

Why?  In the light of global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and financial instability, seek ways to support transition to a higher-wellbeing, lower carbon and consumption society.

What?  Lead by example, in the care of people, place and planet

Value and protect natural and cultural environments and be sensitive to the impact of the museum and its visitors upon them. Collections and the environment can be seen as part of the same ‘Museum ecology’ – its cultural and natural resources. Focus on quality and don’t be seduced by growth for its own sake. Contribute responsibly to the social, cultural and economic vitality of the local area and wider world. Acknowledge the legacy contributed by previous generations and pass on a better legacy of collections, information and knowledge to the next generation. Manage buildings and collections well, so that they will be an asset that is valued by future generations, not a burden.

How? Learn the social and financial benefits of being lean and green

“Working on this project has made us realise that environmental sustainability is at the heart of the story the museum tells about development and change in the local community, and is important for its own sustainable long term operation.”

Godalming Museum

Museum Case Studies

Some case studies where this principle was tested out in practice.

• Thematic Case Study – Engaging emotions to promote wellbeing and build resilience
  This case study looks at how deliberately seeking to engage emotions can help to promote ...
• Thematic Case Study – Smart use of resources, building resilience and stewardship of the future
  This case study is about how museum and galleries used Happy Museum thinking to have ...
• Case Study – Museum of East Anglian Life, building social capital and promoting wellbeing.
  This case study looks at how the Museum of East Anglian life reimagined itself as ...
• Case Study – the Story Museum, wellbeing and sustainability from the start
  This case study is about how The Story Museum team put wellbeing and sustainability at ...
• Case Study – The Lightbox, Woking, community engagement and co-creation.
  This case study is about how members of the community with mental health issues curated ...
• Case Study – IWM North, new tools new ways of working.
  This case study is about how IWM North used the ‘story of change’ tool to ...
• Case Study – Godalming Museum, co-creating a new gallery with local people.
  This case study from Godalming Museum is about how deciding on a community engagement approach ...
• Case Study – Ceredigion Museum, partnership and social enterprise
  This case study from Ceredigion Museum is about how a project developing craft wares with ...
• Case Study – Bilston Craft Gallery, developing outdoor play.
  This case study is about how Bilston Craft Gallery developed an under-used outdoor space. Staff ...

Themed Case Studies

Here is a themed case study focusing on this principle.

• Thematic Case Study – Engaging emotions to promote wellbeing and build resilience
  This case study looks at how deliberately seeking to engage emotions can help to promote ...

Tools

Some tools you might like to use.

Review for organisations

• Valuation DIY
  Valuation DIY A fun, workshop approach reviewing outcomes by prioritising or valuing outcomes. Valuation DIY is ...
• Observational evaluation
  Observational evaluation An in-gallery approach to predefined indicators of outcomes. Observational evaluation involves researchers observing participants in ...
• Narrative evaluation
  Narrative evaluation A desk work approach to identifying themes including how frequently they recur, by analysing ...
• Embedded evaluation
  Embedded evaluation A variety of in-gallery, open approaches which might be fun, embedded in the exhibition ...