Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Save Nature Foundation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Members of the working group and the Public Council, together with representatives of environmental and patriotic NGOs, discussed how to align the initiatives of public organizations engaged in environmental and patriotic education with the traditional values outlined in the decree of the President of Russia. They also discussed identifying successful practices and tools for incorporating traditional values into environmental education activities. An important component of the discussion was the understanding that patriotic education is based on the principle of the inextricable link between ecology, historical memory, and love for the Motherland, where caring for nature is seen as a continuation of the memory of the heroic deeds of our ancestors.
Natalia Tornqvist, President and Founder of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation and member of the Public Council under the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, spoke in the section on presenting activities and sharing practices in environmental education, taking into account the promotion of traditional values. She spoke about the importance of developing environmental culture and environmental habits in the family:
"Most parents would like to see their children develop into people with high moral and ethical standards. A child's upbringing and education begins in the family from birth. It depends on the mother, father, and grandparents whether the child will develop a well-developed consciousness and an environmental awareness."
"Environmental culture includes basic knowledge of ecology and practical skills, an emotional attitude toward nature (empathy, compassion, and sympathy), and the ability to notice and perceive the beauty of the world around us," noted Natalya Mikhailovna.
The speaker dedicated her report to the contribution of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation to the development of traditional cultural and spiritual-moral values:
"The Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation collaborates with and provides financial support to many specially protected natural areas. Our projects help raise an environmentally responsible generation."
Natalya Mikhailovna also shared interesting formats for environmental education:
"For successful environmental education, it's important to engage children in environmental issues through engaging forms of interaction. To this end, the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation has released a fascinating environmental board game, "The Amazing World of Russian Invertebrates."
The Foundation also publishes photo catalogs, books, and atlases popular with libraries and scientists. Of particular value is the international whale catalog, created jointly by staff from the Beringia National Park and marine mammal specialists from Lomonosov Moscow State University.
We hold creative competitions, such as "Tame Reindeer," which attracted over 1,000 entries. Among the initiatives we've supported is an essay contest for schoolchildren. In 2024, the winner of the "Amazing and Unexplored Arctic" competition for high school students took part in aerial monitoring of polar bears. Initiatives like these allow children not only to learn more about nature but also to feel part of an important cause aimed at improving the lives of future generations.
Speaking of traditions and values, we'd like to mention the annual "Reserve Christmas Tree" matinee, which has been held at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation with the support of the Revival of Nature Charitable Foundation for four years in a row.
In 2024, we launched a free educational course on ecology, "Living Action for the Revival of Nature," for schoolchildren, teachers, students, young parliamentarians, and anyone interested in protecting nature. We are currently preparing to launch the second season.
“We also prepare and conduct engaging lessons for schoolchildren about nature and ecology,” noted N.M. Tornqvist.
In closing, Natalya Mikhailovna thanked everyone for the invitation and the opportunity to share her experiences, and expressed hope for uniting caring people and promoting environmental thinking:
"We believe that each of us can contribute to preserving the natural heritage of our great country, because loving our homeland means protecting its nature, preserving the memory of the past, and building a future worthy of those who bequeathed to us the care of the land, water, and air passed down to us by our ancestors."
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