Hey all,
I feel like blogging tonight so here i go, usually i try and plan out a blog entry or at least have a very rough plan in my head as to what i am going to say, but not for this one. This is all about cutting through the crap and getting to the point.
Since i have just being employed as an education officer for the National Trust for Jersey as well recently returning from a 4 day Forest School Leaders training course in Wiltshire, education and more importantly wildlife education is in the front of my mind, i do feel really strongly about it, perhaps more strongly then i first thought.
So, where to start? hmmmmm.... well 2010 seems to be the year of the conservation convention as we have the UN year of biodiversity, the Nature forum in Japan, plus another attempt to create a follow up to the Kyoto Protocol in Cancun at the end of the year. But what is going to be achieved? I mean as a species we love to talk, discuss, gather in groups and voice our opinions but then it just all falls a bit flat. I am not saying nothing will be done, as history will say otherwise but i think if we are to really start the 'green revolution' then it needs to come from the bottom not the top, from communities and not from politicians.
I said to myself that i was not going to get too political right now, but i seemed to be going that way, so i will stop and say FOREST SCHOOL...
I have just returned from a Forest School leaders course (run by Bridgwater College) and i love the concept, the ethos behind it. Forest School is all about creating a non-threatning child-led environment so children can improve their confidence, self-esteem and independence, it is all about giving children their free play back (with a bit of teaching as well!), basically giving them the tools to become the individual they want to be and the opportunity to re-connect with the natural world.
What does this have to do with the wildlife movement you say? Bloody everything!
It is the key to everything, as to put it simply, people in the 21st century do not know enough about the planet to care about it (it is not 'that' persons fault either), to do something about the hole we are currently digging for ourselves.
Have you ever wandered what is the spark, the reason why people work in the wildlife sector? It is certainly not the money. Studies have shown that 2 factors are the absolute key, these are:
1. Free independent play to explore and discover
2. A role model, a 'significant other' to look up to and to show them the way
Getting children back outside is not the only part to the puzzle of a sustainable future but it is a huge, huge piece and one in which we all can do our bit.
But the benefits are not just in play, studies have shown exposure in the natural world can reduce aggression, behavioural problems, help with learning, reduce stress, deal with ADHD...I could go on, but the scientific evidence is there.
And for adults i hear you ask? Nature has been seen to help the building of communities, aid in crime reduction, reduce aggression, anti-social behaviour, help recovery from illness and depression. PLUS, investing in green infrastructure will create jobs, cheap enery sources and boost the economy, it is estimated that ecological damage is costing us trillions of pounds per year. Crazy ay? Natural processes do gives us clean air, water and food.
All in all, Mother Nature is one of the most effective restorers and antidotes from the stressful 21st century lives we lead, and at the moment it is under valued and under used.
I am not saying that the natural world is the miracle cure for everything, but there are strong messages coming out from the world of environmental and human psychology that if we let in the natural world a bit more it really would help us all. This is where the conservation community needs to focus on. In the end, if we understand, we will care.
The famous quote from Lao Tse says “The largest journey starts with a single step”
The long journey to save and preserve this living planet is to take a chance on the natural world and take that single step into the wilderness that is waiting outside your front door.
I dare you :-) and i would love to know how it goes...
Stephen
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