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TRAINING PROGRAMME | MODULE 7
NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT: Environment Education and Protection / Recycling
Manual for Volunteers
Author: RIC Novo mesto,
Simona Pavlin, Tina Strnad, Metod Pavšelj
Plan Be: Active Senior Volunteers
2015-1-PT01-KA204-012930
Author: RIC Novo mesto, Simona Pavlin, Tina Strnad, Metod Pavšelj
2 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
PLAN BE CONSORTIUM
FREGUESIA DE CASCAIS E ESTORIL – Project coordinator | Cascais, Portugal
ASSOCIAÇÃO ANIMAM VIVENTEM – Partner | Cascais, Portugal
KUUSANKOSKEN RETKEILIJÄT RY – Partner | Kouvola, Finland
RIC NOVO MESTO – Partner | Novo Mesto, Slovenia
SINERGIA SOCIETA COOPERATIVA SOCIALE – Partner | Bitonto, Italy
Contact information
Project Coordinator: Freguesia de Cascais e Estoril
Contact Person: Ms. Rita Serra Coelho
Address: Largo Cidade de Vitoria, 2750-319 Cascais – Portugal
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: + 351 214849550
Legal Notice
This publication is a document prepared by the Consortium Plan Be. It aims to provide
practical support to the project’s implementation process.
The output expressed does not imply scientific, pedagogical, or academic positions of the
current consortium. Neither the partners nor any person acting on behalf of the
Consortium is responsible for the use which might be made of this publication.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
© – 2017 – Consortium Plan Be. All rights reserved. Licenced to the European Union
under conditions.
3 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 4
2. AIMS OF THIS TRAINING MODULE ................................................ 5
3. DIFFERENT KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTS .......................................... 5
4. THE IMPACT OF NATURE ON PERSONS’ WELLBEING ........................ 6
Psychic effects ............................................................................ 6
Physiological impact .................................................................... 7
Social effects .............................................................................. 7
Effects on senses ........................................................................ 8
5. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ........................................................ 8
6. ENVIRONMENT AND VOLUNTARY WORK ......................................... 9
7. Practical exercise “Photos in Nature” ............................................ 12
8. Practical exercise “Nature path walks” ......................................... 15
9. Case Study “Themes from Nature for Memory Exercise” ................. 18
10. Case Study “Waste in the Nature” ............................................. 19
11. WEBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................... 20
4 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
1. INTRODUCTION
Nature has always given people health and wellbeing. Since the beginning
of time, nature has provided man with food and the necessities of everyday life. Today nature is not only exploited, but it is also a source of recreation
and enjoyment to a great number of people. The attitude towards nature varies very much in different families, communities and cultures. Attitudes
are also affected by people's origin, e.g. if their roots are in the countryside
or if they come from an urban environment.
There are countless opportunities for senior volunteers when they are getting to know nature and the environment. For all target groups –
children, elderly, disabled persons, migrants, etc. - suitable and interesting topics can be found in voluntary activities regardless of the country or
locality they live in. Only your imagination is the limit. The examples of the tasks provided in this training module are easily adapted to different
circumstances and to different target groups.
Nature offers excitement, pleasure and refreshing relaxation, but it also requires responsibility from all of us so that the future generations will also
be able to enjoy it. As volunteers, you can serve as examples in this endeavour.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”
Mahatma Gandhi
5 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
2. AIMS OF THIS TRAINING MODULE
Knowledge
With this training module, volunteers will become aware of the possibilities
offered by the environment as part of voluntary work and part of their own life. They will learn about some wellbeing effects offered by nature and get
acquainted with methods used in voluntary work making use of nature and
environment.
Skills
Volunteers will have the opportunity to practice possibilities offered by nature and environment as part of voluntary work and part of life, making
use of different kinds of methods related to nature and environment, act ecologically and serve as an example when doing volunteering.
Attitudes
The volunteers’ own positive attitude towards nature, environment,
recycling and waste disposal is important and should be disseminated, as well as the enthusiasm felt for the possibilities offered by nature and
environment as part of voluntary work and part of life.
3. DIFFERENT KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTS
An individual is an active agent in the environment and is in continuous interaction with its various
parts. The environment is defined as the physical and the social environment. The social
environment consists of interaction between people. The physical environment includes the
natural and the built environment. The built environment is the result of human’s work and
also includes nature for example in parks. It is the duty of every individual to protect both built and
natural environment by using natural resources in
a sustainable way.
Human’s environment can be observed according to its geographical location or the type of
populated area. People live in urban and rural areas. The size and population of towns varies greatly as well as the time
when they were built. In addition to town centres there are suburbs. The countryside is usually sparsely populated. In towns people live in blocks of
flats, semi-detached houses or one-family houses, in the countryside there
6 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
are mostly one-family houses. In big cities built parks offer a possibility to
see nature while in smaller towns there are plenty of unbuilt environments with forests, lakes and cornfields. In many countries the sea with its coasts
gives a possibility to be near nature.
Assignment:
• Get information and pictures of nature in different regions of your
country or in different countries.
4. THE IMPACT OF NATURE ON PERSONS’ WELLBEING
Nature has always brought health and wellbeing to people both by
improving and by maintaining health. This has been shown by many studies. Yet, the study of its impact on wellbeing is just beginning and more
research is needed. Although for some people their favourite place is in natural surroundings, and plants, trees, lakes and rivers, difference in
elevation and well-kept environment are appealing to them, many so-called city people find their favourite place in a built environment.
Elsewhere in the world, the impact of nature on people's wellbeing has been
recognized. The so-called “Shinrin yoku” or “forest bath” has spread
throughout the world from Japan. ”Forest bath” means a leisurely walk in a forest therapy park where you can immerse yourself in the sensations of
your own body. In California, USA, forest therapists take people into woods to do breathing exercises and to relax.
Earlier moving in the natural surroundings was
connected with making one's living and getting along. Nowadays people's relationship to nature is
part of leisure and quality of life. In Finland, for example, a third of adult population's spare time
and recreation movement happens in natural surroundings. Here it is also allowed to move
around in privately owned woods on the basis of the so-called everyone's rights.
Psychic effects
Nature has many effects which are favourable for people's psychic and mental health. Individuals live is interaction with the environment, and the
environment which appeals to each of us is dependent on several factors such as the person's age, life situation and personal likings. The
environment may make things possible or, on the other hand, may be a restriction. For instance, a living environment, which enhances interaction
7 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
with other people, is safe, contains working services, is accessible and
aesthetic, and supports a person's mental wellbeing.
Nature as a calming and refreshing environment decreases stress, inspires people to move about and creates aesthetic experiences. It also gives a
feeling of being present and able to listen to your own feelings and sentiments. It also helps concentration. Your mood gets better and positive
spirits rise. You can find your own favourite place in an environment where
you can empty your mind, start thinking clearly, get recreation and relaxation. Nature also offers an inspiring and stimulating learning
environment. As a place for exercise it is more relaxing than a built environment.
Physiological impact
Physical activity increases in natural surroundings. Your heartbeat and
blood pressure go down and muscle tension decreases within minutes spent in natural surroundings. Nature offers good possibilities to keep fit. When
moving outside you get more sunlight and oxygen. Your resistance against illness also rises. You can master your body better when moving on uneven
and varying terrain. You sleep better and have a better appetite after suitable physical exercise. Even looking at pictures of nature can have the
same relaxing effects. Living in a park-like environment inspires you to go
outside and may even affect your lifespan. A study of school children shows that physical exercise outside increased mobility and stamina – in addition
to muscle fitness and strength –more than physical exercise indoors.
Social effects
Moving in our natural environment furthers social wellbeing and the sense of community. Several hobbies which take place outdoors contribute to
establishing social relationships and a positive attitude towards people. On the other hand, it is also possible to quiet down just by yourself. By quieting
you can increase your self-awareness.
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Effects on senses
Nature influences the wellbeing of people of all
ages through senses and sensitivity. The effects are especially transmitted through the senses of
seeing, hearing and smelling. Nature produces many kinds of stimuli like scents, smells and
sounds. With our eyes, we perceive brightness and
colours. The shades of green and blue calm us down and bright colours draw our attention.
Assignments:
Join into small groups or join in pairs to talk about:
• What wellbeing effects does nature have? • What benefits does nature have?
• What pleasures has nature given you?
In the end, each pair/group presents their output and there is a common discussion on the subject.
5. ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Globally different societies have different possibilities to protect nature and
to preserve the habitat of species and to care for recycling and waste disposal. Diverse types of nature are protected to safeguard biodiversity
and the habitat of species. Endangered species can be preserved and people moving in natural surroundings should not harm the environment.
Unspoilt environment and reasonable use of natural resources ensure that
the environment is healthy and pleasant also for future generations. The aim of waste disposal good practices is to further sustainable development
and make sure that waste does not threatens health and environment. Decreasing waste and recycling must become everyday activities and
understood by all regardless of gender, age or education.
The aim of the EU environment programme 2020 is a recycling economy
where nothing is wasted. With a resource-efficient waste disposal system most of the waste can be collected for further use. Useful material includes
paper, metal, glass, organic waste, plastic and unsorted and energy waste. Special waste, such as medicines, is handled in separate waste disposal
plants.
9 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
In spite of a covering waste disposal system untouched waste is accumulated in the environment. Its risk depends on its toxicity,
biodegradability, accumulation in organisms, pathogens etc. Sharp objects in the terrain harm animals. Waste thrown out of ships and boats use
oxygen when degrading and hinder water animals from getting oxygen under the ice cover. The waste load coming from land brings nutrients into
wrong places and eutrophicates waters. Even waste disposal itself is harmful; it causes greenhouse gases, dust and noise.
By recycling, waste is used sustainably. The right knowledge is at the basis
of sorting out and recycling at home as well as in business. In recycling every person is the key figure. Everyone can think of ways how to decrease
the amount of waste, and also sorting out is everyone’s responsibility. One
person can easily spoil waste material that others have sorted out. It is therefore important that everyone knows the sorting instructions and
follows them.
Assignments:
Discuss in small groups: • What harm do plastic objects left in the natural environment cause?
• What harm to nature can medicines have? • Do you see any problems with recycling in your own neighbourhood?
6. ENVIRONMENT AND VOLUNTARY WORK
The environment offers good circumstances for volunteer work. It gives
resources to the activity, but it may also restrict it. The urban environment or the countryside where nature is near, offers different possibilities for the
activity. It is easier to use services organized by the community which support various voluntary work in towns than in the sparsely populated
countryside.
The possibilities offered by nature and environment should be exploited. Biodiversity, different kinds of plants, animals, even soil can give impetus
to voluntary work. Nature is different in different seasons. Forests, parks,
10 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
the seaside and shores of lakes and river banks offer a lot of possibilities.
It is important to observe the surroundings with your eyes and mind open and use the possibilities without prejudice.
It is possible to use nature and environment in voluntary work among
people of different ages.
With children, you have to consider their age and strength. Seeing and
hearing new things in nature is educating. Even trivial things and short outings can give children a sense of adventure. In the open air, it is possible
for children to use their energy more freely than otherwise. Volunteers can guide children and young people in protecting and appreciating their own
natural environment.
For disabled people, it may be especially important to be able to move about in natural surroundings aided by volunteers.
A group of immigrants can be taken on an outing in the local environment.
They may often have wrong ideas and prejudices concerning the nature of the country where they have arrived and this may restrict their use of
nature. Nature may seem dangerous because of earlier unpleasant experiences. In a rehab project carried out in Sweden it was, however,
observed that the participants discovered that there was nothing to fear in
walking in woods.
Olga Sheineman shows in her study (2015) on the outdoor activities of elderly people living in different kinds of service facilities, that nature is a
worthy cause and going outside daily is really important. Elderly people enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature, the warmth of the sun. Nature gives
them satisfaction, enjoyment, memories from times past and peace of mind. Elderly people need assistants when moving outside and staff and
family members don't always find the time to take them out – therefore volunteers are needed.
Elderly people's life experience can be used when planning activities. For
instance, an assistant taking them for a walk outside can discuss the surrounding natural phenomena, plants, birds, animals. Fragrance of
flowers, even touching a stone brings memories and feelings.
Nature can be used in many ways. The activity can happen in groups or just
with one person. Pictures, books, videos and music bring nature indoors. People of different ages can take part in gardening and growing plants
guided by volunteers. Plants can be grown outside in the garden, but also at home or in service houses. Sowing seeds and following the growth of
plants is interesting.
11 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
In addition to the natural environment, the built garden environment offers
excellent possibilities for planning voluntary work. For centuries, the garden environment has been shown to have a refreshing effect. Examples are
monastery gardens, churchyards, Japanese gardens and labyrinths.
Gardening can be a real therapy. Gardening is suitable for people of all ages and different physical fitness. For instance, people with disabilities and
people belonging to minorities are given a possibility of partaking and
joining common social activity. In practical arrangements, functional defects can be compensated for by various tools. For older people, for
instance, gardening may bring happy memories of times past. Observing the changes in nature in various seasons helps orientation of time. Doing
things also offers easy physical and kinematic training. In addition, activity brings happiness and positive experiences to both volunteers and
beneficiaries.
Although we have above spoken about the various good effects of nature and environment, we also have to remember the many risks involved in
moving in natural surroundings, such as being exposed to too much sun, allergic reactions and poisonous or otherwise dangerous plants or animals.
We must pay attention to these factors in voluntary work.
Environment protection gives volunteers plenty of possibilities to act.
Groups can collect and sort out waste. Volunteers can also take part in guiding school children and young people in environmental issues and
collecting recyclable waste. It is also possible to use recycled material in a new form by making something useful from the material. You can make the
most imaginative products from discarded material, e.g. create both art and useful things from paper, textiles or cardboard boxes. This kind of activity
suits people of all ages and can be arranged by volunteers.
12 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
7. PRACTICAL EXERCISE “PHOTOS IN NATURE”
Photography as a learning method…
When volunteers work with their target groups on the theme of nature, they
have the opportunity to make use of photos, video recordings and audio recordings that give rise to a discussion. The phrase "one picture is worth a
thousand words" is particularly well suited for the theme nature.
Photos and pictures can be from a target group’s own albums or they can
be samples collected especially for this activity, scanned photographs, digital photos and video recordings. There is a lot of material on the
Internet, in magazines and other recordings, but the copyrights should be remembered when using them.
Possible picture and sound themes with verbal reasons are:
• Picture of the favourite scenery; • The natural beauty of nature shaped by itself;
• The natural beauty of nature shaped by humans; • Original nature and human activity in good harmony;
• Human’s damaging activities from nature's own point of view; • Nature’s own sounds;
• Noise pollution caused by people; • Littering;
• Recycling
If a volunteer works with disabled and/or elderly people, it is likely
that the photos important to them are from their own albums. It is then necessary to scan and digitize the photos so that they are large enough to
be presented to other participants. However, the problem may be that there aren't proper pictures of nature, but in many cases the personal pictures
have been taken at some spots full of inspiring memories of nature and landscape.
13 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
The pictures always contain memories and may produce pleasure and
sometimes annoyance so the volunteer worker must be careful, he is not a therapist. Sometimes it is necessary that the volunteer worker himself
photographs the material he expects to be of interest for disabled and elderly people.
When the target groups are immigrants and/or refugees, a fruitful
debate may arise when we compare the natural conditions of their
homeland with the conditions of the new home country. At the same time, we can learn from each other. Processing one's own memories through
photos is problematic in the same way as it is with the elderly.
Children's and young people's skills are nowadays so good that they are able to take their own pictures with their mobile phones from the given
themes. The volunteers can particularly serve as examples and mentors to them in such issues as pollution, littering and recycling.
Tips to the facilitator / to the volunteer
Plan and implement in pairs / small groups (3-4 people) a task that can be
used when you are training and assisting persons belonging to different target groups who are working on the nature theme.
First ask all the participants in the target groups for permission to use their photos.
Help, if necessary, to look for the right kind of pictures that can be used for
presentations and performances and scan them.
Do not show photos with awkward details publicly.
Give clear instructions to the target group, what is to be photographed and why, including verbal reasoning. In verbal reasoning, you must remember
the restrictions of participants’ language skills, memory skills and ability to tell about things in words.
There must be plenty of photos related to the theme in each session. Give
clear instructions to the participants, in which format the photos should be
presented (e.g. jpeg).
Compile a slideshow / PowerPoint presentation from the pictures and give enough time for discussion about each picture. Give the participants a task
for example to consider why the picture evokes certain emotions and memories.
Make sure that the presentation equipment is in good condition and
visibility, as well as the lighting and the audibility is good enough.
14 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
Familiarize yourself with the material and make your own questions and
comments on each picture (for example: what, where, when, why,
how, etc.). The situation shown in a picture is only a fraction of a human
life, but what makes this picture so
important?
Don't forget to give feedback on all the images and stories.
Learn how to shoot, record, transfer into the memory, process the photos
and how to scan them for presentation.
15 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
8. PRACTICAL EXERCISE “NATURE PATH WALKS”
Nature path walk as a learning method…
Nature or local path walking is a method which is used as an outdoor activity
targeted for various groups of people and carried out by volunteers, in order to deal with themes concerning nature, environmental protection and
ecology and people's own locality. This can even be done indoors with
people who find it difficult to move outside.
If there is a ready nature path or a local footpath, it is usually a path provided with signposts or a route with information on the characteristic
features of nature or the region written by experts. Such purpose-built nature or local paths are usually situated in places which have special
natural value or are of historical / cultural importance for the locality.
A 1-2 hour walk on a nature path is suitable for small groups of seniors or families with children led by a volunteer. Collecting a small group around a
guidepost is easier when everybody can see and hear the presentation at the same time. It could be useful for the guide to get acquainted with the
route and the information boards beforehand. The guide might have
some further information available in a rucksack.
Another way of using nature path walks
for learning and recreation is to take a walk guided by an expert / a volunteer
and stop at places agreed upon
beforehand, in order to have a better look at the place and to give some
further information on the theme. Depending on the place and its accessibility, the group may consist of senior
citizens, physically challenged people, children and various special groups.
16 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
The third way is to make a nature path
of your own in an environment where moving is easy also for people with
disabilities. Then you can choose the theme freely: first you may focus on the
flora, another time on the fauna, the next time on nature preservation etc.
The same trail can be used several
times, only the information boards (photos, texts) are different. This kind
of nature path can also serve as a quiz if the pictures have questions and the participants have pens and notebooks
with them. The standard of the questions can be varied according to the group.
The fourth method only used when circumstances demand it is to carry out
the third version indoors with the help of photos, recordings and videos. Then, unfortunately, fresh air, droning winds, rustling trees, singing birds
and fragrant flowers are only in imagination. Memories of nature can still be reached in this way.
Tips to the facilitator / to the volunteer
The nature path walk is a method to get acquainted with nature, environmental protection, your home town and other themes connected to
these, but in your natural surroundings you can also carry out other, almost any kind of theme.
In your own activity, you can use fixed or temporary solutions according to
the situation.
The themes of the nature path can vary: you can guide a group of people in your own garden or take them till the end of the world with the help of
pictures and images.
The nature path can be tailored for different kinds of groups, observing the group's age, need of help, interest in various subjects etc.
The nature path can be guiding / inquiring / raising questions etc.
The important thing about the nature path is that it is accessible and passable and the tasks and texts are easily seen and understood by the
target group.
You can use pictures and texts bearing in mind the copyright.
17 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
Well planned is half-done:
• Get acquainted with the route or destination;
• Arrange route guidance carefully, those who get lost may not be very happy;
• Choose the tasks / pictures / texts according to the group. Too easy or too difficult tasks kill people's interest;
• Note weather conditions;
• Have auxiliary staff in reserve; • Find out if you need a permit to enter a park or other place;
• Get ready for emergencies (112); • Give and ask for feedback;
• The most important thing is to enjoy nature, even if it sometimes raises difficult thoughts / memories.
18 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
9. CASE STUDY “THEMES FROM NATURE FOR MEMORY
EXERCISE”
Nature offers many different kinds of possibilities for memory exercise. The topics can be for example plants, especially flowers, stones, wooden
objects, birds, birdsong or other animal ”voices” and landscapes. All senses, seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling can be used. Pictures, videos, fresh
plants and different materials, for example spices and music can help in the
arrangements.
Designed memory exercise helps to sustain old people's cognitive skills, memory and other brain functions. Brain exercise is good for everyone, and
is especially important for those who suffer from early stages of defective memory. A voluntary worker can carry out memory exercises with one
person or with a group.
Vary the level of the tasks so that everyone can get experiences of
succeeding.
Think about some further material such as music or poems related to the
subject, in order to cheer up the occasion. It is important that the atmosphere is relaxed.
Recognizing various objects or materials can be one way of carrying out the
exercise. A successful memory exercise offers an opportunity of practising memory and at the same time discussing and remembering things can be
a refreshing experience to both the target group and the voluntary workers.
19 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
10. CASE STUDY “WASTE IN THE NATURE”
Waste doesn't belong to nature. The aim is to
recycle unused, contaminated and worn out products so that most of them could be
reutilized. Why then can so much strange material be found in nature? The purpose of
this case is to figure out this problem. Active
senior volunteers have an influence in the community they live in!
Kuusankoski Travel and Hiking Club has
organized local and within EU projects cleaning events, in which hiking routes,
streets and forests have been cleaned up. The results of these cleaning events have been
that each time hundreds of litters of mixed waste were collected. However, a more
detailed analysis hasn't been done, because it has been more important to get the partially
dangerous trash out of nature.
We organize a cleaning event
We gather a small group of volunteers at an agreed place and equip them
with protective gloves, litter bins / bags, litter pickers etc. We divide the participants into groups of two or three.
We inform the groups about the time for the activity, for instance, one hour
during which the teams collect from the terrain the garbage spread by people. The rubbish that doesn't belong to nature will be sorted out right
on the spot, so that for example metal, glass, plastic, cardboard and paper, as well as cigarette butts go into the right containers.
When the time is out the "pickings" of each group are weighed and
photographed. The results of each group are marked on the map. After this the results are analysed and discussed. The object is to answer at least the
following questions:
What kind of garbage was found and how much was collected? Discuss the results of the cleaning event and make a report with pictures
which is spread to garbage producers / output locations, as well as to the decision-makers and public authorities. If possible information is spread in
the social media and in the press.
Of course, the collected debris is finally taken to the refuse dumps! In this way, you can also learn more about recycling.
20 | Nature and Environment - Manual for Volunteers
11. WEBLIOGRAPHY
• http://www.yhteinenkasitys.fi/yhteystiedot
• Karila-Hietala R, Wahlbeck K, Heiskanen T, Stengård E & Hannukkala M. (toim.) 2014. Mielenterveys elämäntaitona. Mielenterveyden ensiapu 1.
Suomen Mielenterveysseura. • Luonto hyvinvoinnin lähteenä- Suomalainen Green Care.
www.mtt.fi/greencare
• Luontoon.fi • Metlan työraportteja 52, 2007, 57.
• Sitra 2013. Luonnon hyvinvointivaikutusten taloudellinen merkitys. • http://takingcare-svp.blogspot.fi/
• http://europrojects.wixsite.com/helpinghands • http://europeanapproach-llpgrundtvig.blogspot.fi/2010/09/european-
approach.html • http://activesenior2012.blogspot.fi/
• http://kuuret55.nettisivu.org/many-faces-of-finnish-nature-environment/
• http://kuuret55.nettisivu.org/harjoittele-ja-opi-luonnossa/