Exploring Key Takeaways from the April 2021 Webinar
- Julie Mountain
- Apr 5, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 26, 2024
International School Grounds Alliance webinars showcase a variety of programmes and practices that enhance the way school grounds are used, designed and managed.
Nature Connections in School Grounds:
Case studies from the Mediterranean and South America
Our April Webinar featured two members of our ISGA Leadership Council - Josefina Prieto, e-spiral Chile and Sarah Brady, Birdlife Malta.
Let’s weave education with nature for children’s and nature’s sake | Josefina Prieto, e-spiral, Chile
Josefina will share her deep conviction that outdoor spaces at any educational center (early childhood, school, college, or university) can become an oasis of diverse plants, that will attract a variety of birds and insects; and that people and communities can be restored by nature in these spaces - and that through developing these space, nature can be restored by people.
Her deep belief is that eventually, these educational oases will ripple outwards, thanks to students being agents of change at their homes and neighbourhoods, that over time will overlap and interconnect, becoming future green corridors.
Drawn from her many years of experience as a landscape architect and advocate for outdoor learning, Josefina will share real examples and down to earth advice on how to interweave outdoor spaces with native plants, insects, birds and other wildlife - to realise the benefits for both people and the environment.
About Josefina: With qualifications in Agricultural Engineering and Landscape Architecture, internships at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Sticky Wicket Dorset, Josefina has developed a deep understanding of, and passion for, our connection with the natural environment. This passion has driven her professional career towards projects and collaborations that allow her to continue to learn and share this passion - and most importantly, put this knowledge into practice.
Josefina is an active member of the ISGA Leadership Council; she leads the Outdoor Classroom Day initiative in Chile and Cono Sur; co-founded the NGO, Fundacion Ilumina and its program Naturalizar -the first Outdoor Learning Early Childhood Program established in Chile; and runs her consultancy, e-spiral, which aims to interweave education with nature in school and university settings.
Wildlife in School Grounds | Sarah Jane Brady, Birdlife Malta
Sarah will share two fantastic programmes currently operating in schools in Malta. Natural Nations is a citizen science project supporting schools to survey their grounds for pollinators and birds. And, Dinja Wahda+, a comprehensive suite of resources, lesson plans and training which provide everything teachers might need to start the cultural shift required to take lessons from the classroom into the outdoors. Sarah will also give us a snapshot of the range of student-focused programmes operating around the globe in the Birdlife International community.
About Sarah: Sarah is a passionate and international award-winning advocate of environmental education, who leads a BirdLife Malta team of 12 staff to deliver engagement programmes; and is the principal co-ordinator of a global network of environmental educators.
For free access some of the other webinars click here
Valuable webinar announcement that highlights an important opportunity for learning and collaboration around school grounds and education. The article clearly communicates the benefits of participation while encouraging broader engagement. While reading, I was reminded of a discussion on https://lovelri.com/ about creating enriching learning environments for students. This was an informative update that showcases the importance of sharing ideas and best practices.
This webinar sounds extremely valuable for educators and organizations interested in improving learning through nature-based environments. From my experience, school grounds can become powerful spaces for creativity, environmental awareness, and student wellbeing when they are designed with meaningful programs and community involvement. I especially like the international perspective shared through case studies from the Mediterranean and South America because it highlights how different regions can learn from each other’s experiences. Initiatives like these encourage practical and sustainable education approaches that benefit both students and communities. In my experience, innovative organizations such as Cloud Innovators Solution also contribute to modern educational development by supporting smart and effective learning solutions.
The way you explained the topic was very clear and helpful, especially in presenting the webinar details in an organized and accessible way. It’s always valuable to see educational opportunities shared so clearly for wider audiences. I recently came across a similar discussion on a review blog, and it offered an interesting perspective as well. I also encountered a brief mention linked with https://thesagelawgroup.ca/ in a broader context of professional development awareness, which aligns with the importance of learning initiatives like this. Really informative and useful post for anyone interested in the topic.
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