Natura 2000 in Motion: Empowering the Next Generation of Nature Ambassadors
The Natura 2000 in Motion pilot project, developed by GoodPlanet, introduced secondary school students to Natura 2000 through an innovative combination of outdoor learning, biodiversity education, and creative storytelling. Through a series of forest-based workshops, young people explored nearby Natura 2000 sites, learned about the threats facing biodiversity, and discovered how they can contribute to nature conservation in their daily lives.
Impact
The project successfully reached 266 secondary school students through 15 interactive workshops held across Belgium. By moving learning beyond the classroom and into nature, participants experienced Natura 2000 firsthand rather than simply learning about it from textbooks. This immersive approach helped students build a personal connection with nature while increasing their understanding of biodiversity challenges and conservation solutions.
A key achievement of the project was transforming participants into Natura 2000 ambassadors. Through games, discussions and creative assignments, students not only learned about protected areas and biodiversity conservation but also communicated this knowledge to others. As a final activity, participants created their own stop-motion videos illustrating biodiversity challenges and solutions. By sharing these videos with friends, family and teachers, they extended the project's reach beyond the workshop itself and generated a positive ripple effect of awareness and engagement.
The project also demonstrated how environmental education can become more effective by combining outdoor experiences, scientific knowledge, systems thinking and digital creativity. This innovative methodology motivated young people to engage actively with nature conservation while developing communication and creative skills.
A Lasting Legacy
The impact of Natura 2000 in Motion continues beyond the project period. The educational package developed for the project is freely available online, together with the students’ stop-motion videos, enabling teachers and schools across Belgium to replicate the approach. The project therefore creates long-term value by providing practical tools that can inspire future generations of young people to connect with Natura 2000 and biodiversity conservation.
Ultimately, Natura 2000 in Motion shows how immersive outdoor education can strengthen young people's connection with nature, increase awareness of Natura 2000, and inspire lasting action for biodiversity. By empowering students to become ambassadors for nature, the project contributes to a broader societal understanding of the importance of protecting Europe's most valuable natural areas.
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