Nature as a place of learning

Nature as a place of learning Adventure museum run by the Aachen District Hunters' Association V. in Monschau

Lernort Natur is an initiative of the German Hunting Association (DJV) for extracurricular nature and environmental education . It was officially founded in 1991 in Stade (Lower Saxony).

Based on the experience that the knowledge about the native nature and the interrelationships that work in it would decrease more and more in children and adolescents, the DJV wants to counteract an increasing alienation of humans from nature with this initiative.

In the year in which the initiative was founded, this request was part of the trend in global efforts to anchor environmental and nature conservation ideas in the minds of people, primarily among adolescents, through appropriate educational measures. Different terms have been coined for these measures, such as B. Nature education , environmental education and forest education . Over the years, the latter became more and more a term for the nature and environmental education measures of the foresters . In principle, the instruments used in forest education and its pedagogy hardly differ from other areas of nature and environmental education, especially in the area of experiential education . The term nature education is predominantly used for “nature as a place of learning”, since the activities cover the biology of all types of landscape and are accordingly diverse.

The hunters attach great importance to conveying the principle of sustainable use to the participants . This can be done using the example of hunting or the example of modern silviculture. In both cases, only as much should be taken from nature as will permanently grow back.

target

The aim of the “Learning Place Nature” initiative is to convey knowledge about the local flora and fauna as well as the importance of sustainable use and biodiversity in the local cultural landscape.

Target groups

The most important target groups of Lernort Natur include:

Kindergartens
Elementary schools
Secondary schools (mainly lower secondary level )
Visitor groups at public events (e.g. markets and trade fairs)

Growing interest in nature education with “nature as a place of learning” can also be observed among adults. Due to the methodological diversity of nature education, new groups are increasingly being addressed, such as B. People with physical and mental disabilities. Animal-assisted education is another area where e.g. B. Dogs and birds of prey are used. Therapeutic approaches are possible here if trained staff is available.

Nature mobile learning location and rolling forest schools

The Natur-Mobile learning place of the district hunting associations and state hunting associations are represented in almost all federal states. In North Rhine-Westphalia they are available nationwide in all district hunting associations under the name "Rolling Forest Schools". They can be used to create a diverse, methodical and didactic offer. The locations - such as schools, institutions, markets - can be approached with the vehicles. This is particularly practical and inexpensive for schools, as excursions into nature are difficult to organize for some schools.

The mobile and forest schools have different equipment or focus on specific areas. Preparations of the local fauna and flora can be found in almost all of them. The equipment of the mobile has become more and more extensive and professional in recent years.

Fixed facilities of nature as a place of learning

Fixed facilities were set up by district hunters or individuals.

Some examples:

Forest Adventure School Bochum
Adventure museum of learning place nature of the district hunters' association Aachen e. V. in Monschau
Learning place nature adventure farm of the friends' association Ostwestfalen-Lippe in Gut Hardehausen near Warburg
Learning location nature school Wolfgang Ritzke

In addition to the personal commitment of individuals, considerable financial resources were necessary for the creation of such institutions. These came directly from the district hunting associations or their support groups. Sponsoring, fundraising and funds from municipal pots and subsidies from the federal states provided support.

resonance

Hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren of all ages have already taken part in “Lernort Natur”. For example, they followed the tracks of deer or wild boar with hunters , overcame oversized spider webs as a group, created hiding places for food as squirrels and finally exchanged experiences around the campfire.

Kindergartens, schools and other educational institutions are increasingly expecting an offer from nature as a place of learning that is oriented towards curricula and educational plans. Basic pedagogical qualifications are also essential.