This week’s blog was written by Grace H., a Bucktails alumni. Grace is interested in studying mathematics and international diplomacy. Attending the Wildlife Leadership Academy was an experience that allowed her to develop an understanding of ecology from an environmental lens.
What is the origin of a passion for nature? Could the internal desire to experience and preserve nature come from the influences around an individual rather than an instinct? The idea that exterior people in an individual’s life could impact their future attitude towards the environment and conservation stresses the importance of introducing future generations to the beauty of nature.
While advancements in technology create a world where children can be easily satisfied by spending time on a screen, it is important not to neglect the importance of introducing children to nature. Simple activities like skipping rocks on a pond, having a picnic in the park, or analyzing cloud shapes on the lawn can become core memories for a child and leave them with a positive perspective of the outdoors. Encouraging this perspective in future generations is what will lead to motivation to preserve the environment. The people who influence an individual’s life, particularly in childhood, have the power to connect that person to other ideas with their presence.
For me, my grandparents were the people to introduce me to nature at a young age and fuel my passion for conservation.
In honor of this power, challenge yourself to be this influence to the youth in your life and connect children to the beauty of nature. After you build a connection with a child, bring them into nature and allow them to associate positive memories with the environment, and as they mature educate them on conservation. By creating an awareness that a safe environment is dependent on humanity’s actions in youth, a generation of educated and cautious minds will be motivated to preserve what is associated with the nostalgia of the memories you created with them.
The photo used in this blog belongs to the author.
Inspiring a Love of Nature
Posted: March 7, 2023 by Katie Mace
This week’s blog was written by Grace H., a Bucktails alumni. Grace is interested in studying mathematics and international diplomacy. Attending the Wildlife Leadership Academy was an experience that allowed her to develop an understanding of ecology from an environmental lens.
What is the origin of a passion for nature? Could the internal desire to experience and preserve nature come from the influences around an individual rather than an instinct? The idea that exterior people in an individual’s life could impact their future attitude towards the environment and conservation stresses the importance of introducing future generations to the beauty of nature.
While advancements in technology create a world where children can be easily satisfied by spending time on a screen, it is important not to neglect the importance of introducing children to nature. Simple activities like skipping rocks on a pond, having a picnic in the park, or analyzing cloud shapes on the lawn can become core memories for a child and leave them with a positive perspective of the outdoors. Encouraging this perspective in future generations is what will lead to motivation to preserve the environment. The people who influence an individual’s life, particularly in childhood, have the power to connect that person to other ideas with their presence.
In honor of this power, challenge yourself to be this influence to the youth in your life and connect children to the beauty of nature. After you build a connection with a child, bring them into nature and allow them to associate positive memories with the environment, and as they mature educate them on conservation. By creating an awareness that a safe environment is dependent on humanity’s actions in youth, a generation of educated and cautious minds will be motivated to preserve what is associated with the nostalgia of the memories you created with them.
The photo used in this blog belongs to the author.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: conservation, featured, nature, outdoors