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TRANSCRIPT
Nature Education
Introduction to best practices from around the world
Beijing Forest Society, December 2013 Frits Hesselink
Emeritus Chair IUCN CEC
Content
• IUCN & CEC
• Nature education context and concepts
• Psychology: why isn’t our brain green?
• Nature education:
– best practices
– principles
– some do’s and don’ts
– How CEC can help
Where we are from?
International Union for the Conservation of Nature - IUCN
• Oldest and largest environmental organization founded in 1948
• 70 Governments & 700 NGOs members, 6 Commissions (20.000 experts), offices all over the world
• President: Dr Zhang Xinsheng (China)
• Cradle of environmental conventions (UN observer status)
• Platform for dialogue & innovation
• Knowledge products that help implementation of conventions, national policies and practices (Red List, PA database etc.)
• On the ground projects, i.a. in China
Commission on Education and Communication - CEC
• Knowledge network since 1948
• 1200 experts worldwide in learning, communication, change management
• Chair: Dr Juliane Zeidler (Namibia)
• Instrumental for the development of environmental education and the CEPA paragraphs in Agenda 21 & the environmental conventions
• Mandate from IUCN members with focus on Aichi Target 1; capacity development; nature based solutions
• Examples of recent commission Aichi Target 1 and capacity development activities on next page
Aichi Target 1 & Capacity development
https://www.cbd.int/cepa/toolkit/2008/cepa/index.htm
http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/cec/cec_how_we_work/love__not_loss_/ www.frogleaps.org
Nature education: legal context
Formal Education System
(schools, universities)
• Different approaches in different countries towards inclusion of nature, environment or sustainable development in curricula
Informal or non-formal
education
• Mostly no legal context for nature education
• Often integrated in national conservation or sustainable development policies with financial support from government
Overall objectives
Not only for kids
Nature education practices
• Schools • Interpretation centres • Museums • Historic sites • Parks • Art galleries, • Nature centres • Zoos • Aquaria • Botanical gardens • Nature reserves and a host of other heritage sites.
Nature education practices
• Guided walks • Talks • Drama • Field stations • Displays • Signs • Labels • Artwork • Brochures • Games • Audio-guides • Audio-visual media.
We understand forests.
Do we also understand the people?
Why aren’t they listening?
Education challenge
Rational Cost/Benefit decisions
Emotional Instincts and habits
What person are you?
What is more Effective?
What is more Effective?
Left: Right: Rational brain Emotional brain Factual information Sensory information
It is all psychology!
Why toasting? We like experiences that appeal to all levels of our senses!
http://en.sommer-sommer.com/braintest/
Test yourself!
• Decisions are governed by habit, emotion, vaslues and instincts Habit
• We are influenced by what others around us are doing
Social proof
• The physical environment affects how we behave.
Infra-structure
What drives behavior?
Three core ideas from psychology: 1. People are happiness seekers. Connecting with people's desire
for happiness triggers positive change qualities like creativity, cooperation and openness to change. Appeal to these emotions.
2. People are social. People are natural imitators. So play into the idea what is normal and make visible sustainable behaviours of individuals and organizations, so that they become normal.
3. People want to be good. They want to protect innocent others, and to be fair to others. Frame issues as social justice and make people to live up to their values in their lifestyle, in their organizations and as members of civil society.
Mother Earth
Species Productive landscape
Cultural landscape
•Respect •Fear •Dominance •Subversion •Interde- pendence
Perceptions of Nature
Status
Reputation
Satisfaction
Excitement Selfesteem
Tradition
Security
Connect nature to values
Do not try to sell values of nature
Bridging the gap between nature and people
by linking nature to their
values and giving them a meaningful experience
Nature Education
Planning, preparation and developing ideas with stakeholders
are key to success.
Ecological and Cultural
Knowledge of the area
captured in messages and
stories
Offer opportunities for the audience to make connections
between nature experience and daily life
Knowledge of perceptions, experiences of the audience
respecting its diversity
Clear communication objectives
Recognition that inspiration, passion and emotion drives action and
behavior
Be specific, hands-on, practical, active methods, involve many senses
Do not use too much text
Explain why the natural feature is there and give a sense of awe and wonder
Connect with leasure trends of hiking and biking
Link key aspects of the area to basic values of audience and let them experience! Do not just explain nature
Nature Education
IUCN CEC can help!
CEC can connect you with members worldwide specialized in nature conservation and has access to professional associations and in many countries. Cecilia Nizzola-Tabja, CEC Focal Point in IUCN HQ http://www.iucn.org/cec/ [email protected]
Frits Hesselink Emeritus Chair
IUCN CEC
www.iucn.org/cec/ www.hect.nl www.frogleaps.org [email protected]
Questions?
Group work
1. What are the key audiences for your area?
2. What are the key stories of your area?
3. What would you like to change in visitors?
4. What would be key messages?
5. What means would best convey those messages?
6. What role could local communities play?