Environmental Education and Nature interpretation in the Nordics

March 12th 2024: Iceland

Welcome to an introduction to nature interpretation in Iceland. In this webinar we’ll delve into its connection to the Icelandic heritage with the Sagas and the folk stories, how and where nature interpretation is taught today and how it is used in the field of ever changing nature, with focus on both nature conservation and visitor safety.

Program of the webinar 

• From settlement to storytelling, Torfi Stefán Jónsson, Þingvellir National Park
• Interpretation in Ranger training. Nature interpretation as a management tool in National parks and other protected areas, Kristín Ósk Jónasdóttir, The Environment Agency of Iceland
• Interpretation education in Universities, Guðmundur Björnsson, University of Iceland 

Short break 

• Windows towards nature, Informal education in nature exhibitions and visitor centers, Helga Aradóttir, Icelandic Museum of Natural History and Stefanía Eir Vignisdóttir, Vatnajökull National Park.
• Nature interpretation in ever changing nature,  Nína Aradóttir, Vatnajökull National Park. 

Break out rooms – these are our thoughts. Tell us how does the sagas and folk stories connect into each countries interpretation.  

February 7th 2024: Denmark

Welcome to a webinar where we will present training and education within nature interpretation and environmental education in Denmark. The webinar will consist of presentations, discussions, and workshops regarding central topics on education of Nature Interpreters in Denmark.

The webinar is hosted by Nature Interpretation Denmark and Forestry College at University of Copenhagen. We will tell and show examples of how we work with the education of nature interpreters but spice up with exemplary examples. You must therefore bring something from nature to the webinar: Your nature thing’ must represent the following: What is happening in nature around you right now that you feel should be communicated?

Program of the webinar

• Welcome and introduction v. Jakob Walløe Hansen, Nature Interpretation Denmark
• Historical background and an overview of the educational landscape v. Mette Aaskov Knudsen, Nature Interpretation Denmark
• Nature interpretation in a Danish context v Søren Rafn, Natur Interpretation Denmark
• Presentation of the two existing nature interpretations educations in Denmark v. Eva Skytte, Nature Interpretation Danmark and Johanne Lybecker Christiani, Forestry Collage
• Break
• Participate in two different workshops (see below).

Workshop 1: Bushcraft – a pedagogical method for concrete attention to the environment and climate

Workshop 1 cancelled due to illness.

Workshop 2: ‘Naturdannelse’- a new concept in Danish nature interpretation

The workshop will be an introduction to ‘Naturdannelse’. We will give examples of activities and a debate on how we can use it as a guidance and tool in environmental Education and Nature interpretation in the Nordics.

By: Mette Lyngs Ferrum, The Outdoor Counsil and Rikke Mortensen, Foresty Collage

Workshop 3: Evaluation, reflection and feed-back – different methods that support learning

The three terms are used in many ways in the world of education. At this workshop you will get an introduction to how we define the terms and how we work with them when we organize nature interpreters’ education.

By: Mette Aaskov Knudsen and Eva Skytte, Nature Interpretation Denmark

Workshop 4: Biodiversity – and cooperation between nature interpretors and schools

In this workshop, you will be introduced to concrete examples of how Copenhagen’s Nature School collaborates with the managers of urban parks and larger nature reserves to facilitate teaching of biodiversity to schoolchildren and teachers.

By: Jaris Bigler and Giuliano Matessi, Copenhagen’s Natur School

Workshop 5: Climate interpretation and methods – how do we work with competence development

One way to work with competence development in Denmark is through professional networks. The Climate and Sustainability Network is an example of this. In this workshop, the networkfacilitator introduce the network and activities and give concrete examples of activities for children around climate and sustainability interpretation.

By: Maja Birkeland Sell, Nature Interpreter

January 18th 2024: Norway

To Be, or Not to Be, a Part of Interpretation?
Nature Relations and Interpretation in Norway

How do diverse nature relations affect the role of nature interpretation in a country? How does it affect training?
These are the underlying questions we wish to explore as we present the educational and training provision on nature interpretation in Norway. Perhaps surprisingly, Norway is lagging behind some of its Nordic neighbors in nature interpretation research and education. Join to the webinar and share your insights with us as we seek to understand the reasons behind this.

Norway is a rugged and nature rich country with mountains, fjords and arctic areas. There are long traditions for “outdoor life” (friluftsliv), and to harvest from nature in the countryside. At the turn of the 20th century, national identity was shaped by the great polar explorers, like Nansen and Amundsen, and romantic landscape painters. Later, Norwegians developed extractive industries like oil and fish farming, as well as inspiring the “Deep Ecology” movement. Today, many Norwegians own a second home in the countryside enjoying outdoor adventure activities (often without a guide), however, often leaving the more traditional outdoor life behind. Norway is becoming increasingly urban and international, and there is an increasing need for nature guides and interpreters. So how does this affect nature interpretation in Norway?

Program of the webinar

• Introduction to Nature Relations and Interpretation in Norway, Kristian Bjørnstad,
  Founder of the Interpret Norway Network. Director of the Norwegian Parks Association. Country coordinator (Norway) and certified trainer at Interpret Europe. Human Ecologist and Educator.
• A Background and an Overview of Nature Interpretation in Norway, Torfinn Rohde
  Retired World Heritage Coordinator and Head of the Interpretation Unit at the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (SNO)
• Interpretation in Outdoor Life (friluftsliv) education, Per Ingvar Haukeland
  Professor of ecophilosophy and pedagogy. Head of the research group; Outdoor Life (friluftsliv), Society and Sustainability, at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Haukeland has previously headed the Centre for Nature- and Culture-based Innovation at Telemark Research Institute and became in 2023 a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) at Interpret Europe. He is exploring ways to integrate interpretation in outdoor life (friluftsliv) education.
• The Development of Visitor Centers, Eva Lindgaard
  Senior Advisor, Norwegian Environment Agency. Coordinating funding and authorizations of Visitor Centers for nature and world heritage in Norway.
• Networks of Nature Interpreters in Norway, Benny Sætermo
  Nature Interpreter, Visitor Centre, National Parks in Nordland