Our member organization from Germany – Naturfreundejugend Deutschlands – invites anyone interested to their “Natura in Aktion” workshop at Lake Constance, Germany, from 24th to 26th of October 2014.
“Natura in Aktion“ brings together the natural riches of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas with exciting, as well as nature-friendly youth travel. “Natura in Aktion” journeys offer a wide range of activities: Participants discover the great outdoors and its ecological diversity through hiking and cycling tours, while climbing a mountainside or on the water in their canoes.
Goals:
The main goal of “Natura in Aktion” is to show how easily experiences in nature can be connected to youth travel. The project addresses providers of youth journeys, youth organizations, environmental educators and municipalities who are interested in affordable, nature-related activities and journeys within Europe.
Among others, participants benefit from “Natura in Aktion”, because …
… they get to know selected Natura 2000 sites in Europe.
… they discover nature through a variety of games and activities with all their senses.
… in their accommodation they get hands-on experience in sustainability.
… they learn to implement ideas of sustainability in their everyday life.
… they acquire knowledge on environmental protection and learn to understand ecological interrelationships.
… they discover the needs and efforts of transnational nature protection and understand the benefits of European collaboration.
Background:
Natura 2000 represents a milestone for environmental protection. The aim of the Natura 2000 Network is to protect vulnerable habitats and species across their natural range in Europe and to ensure that they are restored to, or maintained at, a favourable conservation status.
Natura 2000 is however not merely a system of strict nature reserves where human activities are systematically excluded. It adopts a different approach – Natura 2000 fully recognises that humanity is an integral part of nature and that the two work best in partnership with one another. Nevertheless, the idea of Natura 2000 is widely unknown – a fact that we would like to change with “Natura in Aktion”.
Natura Trails are hiking and bike trails through Natura 2000 sites. They represent some of the most stunning routes through Europe’s untouched areas, hereby illustrating the need for nature protection. In Germany alone more than a hundred Natura Trails have been designed by numerous voluntary Naturefriends with great passion and attention for specific details of the areas. Natura Trails successfully combine tourism with respectful outdoor activities and environmental awareness. They allow visitors to get a first-hand experience of Natura 2000, while learning about the need for protection, the frail ecological balance, and everyone’s responsibility for our environment.
Milestones (04/2014 – 12/2014)
- A conception meeting with full-time and voluntary Naturefriends will take place: Which level of experience regarding Natura Trails/Natura 2000 do exist among Naturefriends? Which offers are attractive for youth journeys? Which accommodations could be used?
- An international collaboration with International Young Naturefriends (IYNF) and Nature Friends International (NFI) will be initiated in order to develop a joined workshop for trainers.
- Research will be conducted for relevant Natura Trails in German border regions as well as for suitable accommodation, which are characterized by sufficient space for a range of sportive and environmental education activities and a good accessibility.
- Five “Natura in Aktion” tours all over Germany will be developed. Here, already existing Natura Trails will be used and upgraded.
- Each “Natura in Aktion” tour will be documented with an accompanying flyer, also made available online on the website of Young Naturefriends Germany.
- A final brochure will be realized in cooperation with IYNF and NFI, including an introduction and complete presentation of the concepts, methods and designs of the five developed tours. This brochure will be publicly available.
- An international training will take place, focused on the development of new local “Natura in Aktion” tours, based on existing Natura Trails.
Funding:
This project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).