As the world faces urgent challenges like biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, the role of education in shaping a sustainable future becomes increasingly clear. Not only does it help to drive awareness, it also inspires collective action toward a nature-positive world.
We caught up with Stef Lauer, Rewilding Training Lead for SCOTLAND: The Big Picture—and a previous participant on the MOYO Nature Positive Tourism training—to get her views on how immersive learning experiences can drive behaviour change, resulting in more passionate people dedicated to the restoration of our living systems.
The importance of environmental education
"The big winner is going to be training. It's got to be education."
Environmental education plays a vital role in raising awareness about the value of ecosystems and the services they provide. By teaching people about the impact of human activities, we nurture a respect for and commitment to protecting natural habitats. Research shows that people who participate in nature-based learning are 77% more likely to engage in conservation activities than those without such exposure.
Nature training for real-world impact
Nature training programs have become essential for immersing participants in practical learning experiences. These initiatives, ranging from field trips to community gardening projects, help connect theory with real-world application.
SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, for example, now run a series of residential training courses, study tours and learning days—designed specifically to equip land managers, rewilding practitioners and communicators with the knowledge, skills and inspiration needed to deliver practical change and nurture support for nature recovery.
"Immersive experiences in the field is where we can make the biggest impact. We need to equip people with the knowledge, skills and inspiration required to deliver real change."
As the demand for eco-friendly experiences grows, trained experts are crucial for developing nature-based business models, promoting eco-tourism, or participating in local conservation efforts. Communities that successfully integrate sustainability into their tourism practices, for example, often see economic benefits; Costa Rica reports that eco-tourism contributes around $4 billion to the nation's economy, while supporting wildlife preservation.
Building a global community for sustainability
Transitioning to a nature-positive world relies on collective effort. Education serves as a bridge for dialogue and collaboration among governments, NGOs, and local communities. By fostering partnerships and eco-conscious networks, communities can devise and implement sustainable practices tailored to their specific needs.
Promoting peer-to-peer learning also strengthens the community approach, allowing individuals to share insights about local environmental challenges and successes.
"What we're looking for is that ripple effect - we show one person, and they will tell another. And then they become a custodian... maybe even an ambassador, or a donor."
A call for education-driven change
Education is undeniably essential for creating a nature-positive future. By emphasising immersive learning and nature-based training, we can cultivate a society that cherishes biodiversity and sustainability. Educating people, through these hands-on learning experiences, empowers them to become responsible stewards of our planet.
Ready to learn?
MOYO Training Foundation offers a variety of training programs in, and for, nature. Focusing on tourism and travel, as well as health and wellbeing, we aim to reduce and limit harm to wildlife, habitats and communities, and actively leave them with a more sustainable future.
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