2. Cheryl Charles (Children and Nature Network) - Nature Connectedness and Conservation Ethics: What are the Links?
3. Chloe Dragon Smith (Independent Consultant) - We Are Nature: The Personal Story of a Young Métis Woman
4. Kejimkujik National Park (Parks Canada, specific speaker TBC)
Our worldviews shape how we interact with each other, our environments, and other species with whom we share the Earth. Indigenous peoples all over the Earth have maintained harmony with nature for many thousands of years with worldviews, ways of thinking, values, practices, and actions that are tied with the land. There is no separation between humans and nature.
For nature, including humans, to thrive into the future, we must all understand this truth deep within ourselves - we are nature. However, while many of us experience, benefit from, and care for nature, studies show that others, be it through lifestyle, opportunity, or circumstance, face barriers to experiencing and connecting with the natural world. In an effort to help people re-integrate nature back into their lives, and in doing so, create increased support and action for conservation globally, the IUCN launched #NatureForAll in 2016.
#NatureForAll is a global movement to inspire and nurture love of nature, with a growing list of over 200 partner organisations. These partners aim to increase support and action for nature conservation across the world by scaling up efforts that help people from all walks of life explore and deepen their connections with the natural world. #NatureForAll is based on the knowledge that personal connections with nature are a key foundation for the development of sustainable values, attitudes, beliefs, and actions. When we love nature, we love ourselves.
This session will introduce the #NatureForAll journey through the Conference. The journey invites Conference participants to learn from each other, through participation in specific sessions and events, about ways to connect with nature and help others do the same. In this session, panellists representing Indigenous peoples, local communities, park agencies, and other organizations involved in the #NatureForAll movement will address questions such as: What is the link between nature connectedness and achievement of conservation goals? Why is an understanding of our one-ness with nature important? How can we all learn from Indigenous cultures to deepen our relationships with the natural world? How will connecting with nature help us all live better lives? How can local communities contribute to and benefit from #NatureForAll?
Big Issues: Public awareness , Big Issues: Urbanization , Solutions: Local/Traditional knowledge , Solutions: Protected areas , Solutions: Public participation
