Transcript Connect, enjoy and care for the planet`s Wild places.

John Muir Award
Connect, enjoy and care for the
planet’s Wild places.
History
• The educational initiative of the John Muir Trust. Contributes to the
vision that ‘wild land is protected and wild places are valued by all’
• Set up to promote educational, social and personal development and
encourage an environmental agenda
• Launched in 1997, just celebrated 100,000th Award
• UK-wide – educational partnerships in the Cairngorms NPA, YHA, The
Outward Bound Trust, Lake District NPA, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
NPA.
What is the John Muir Award?
An environmental award scheme
focused on wild places.
It encourages awareness and
responsibility for the natural
environment, in a spirit of fun,
adventure and exploration.
Connect, enjoy and care for the
planet’s Wild places.
www.johnmuiraward.org
Where can you do an Award?
Values
• Open & welcoming to people of all
backgrounds
• Focused on wild places
• Non-competitive but should
challenge each participant
• Challenging and progressive
• Fun & adventure
• Opportunity to explore values and
spirituality
How does it work?
4 Challenges …
Discover a wild place (or places)
Explore its wildness and natural characteristics
Conserve – take personal responsibility for wild places
Share these experiences
These themes run through a programme of activity - not separate boxes
to be ticked e.g. ‘today is Explore day’
Can be different places, linked with a theme e.g. journey, coastal…
How does it work?
3 levels …
1.
Discovery
4 days or equivalent minimum
2.
Explorer
8 days or equivalent minimum
3.
Conserver
20 days or equivalent over at least 6 months
“The Award fits with our
desire to encourage the
personal development
of young people through
the vehicle of service to
the community”
Princes’ Trust Operations
Director
Time guidance as a MINIMUM
The same Four Challenges are repeated for each level with increased
involvement in terms of time, activity, responsibility and ownership.
How does it work?
Criteria…
Each individual participant must:
• Complete all Four Challenges - understand
what they have done and why
• Complete time commitment
• Show enthusiasm and commitment
• Have an awareness of John Muir
“They came back
with the experience
having changed them.
They think differently
about conservation and
the natural environment”
Secondary Teacher
Who can take part….
Why do the Award?
Benefits to Participants
• Challenge and adventure
• Environmental awareness &
responsibility for change
• A nationally recognised
certificate: include in C.V. &
Record of Achievement
• Practical knowledge & skills
• Shared experiences & teamwork
• Communication skills
• Confidence
• Health and wellbeing
“Out there I’m me again”
“Fresh air comes into your body and
all the bad stuff goes out”
Why do the Award?
Benefits for organisations
•
Promotes/enhances an
environmental agenda
•
Recognition for environmental
activity
•
A holistic approach
•
Easy-to-use, adaptable and flexible
•
Progressive – maintains & develops
involvement
•
Links to the curriculum
•
Training and staff development
• Nationally recognised award
• Use of John Muir Award logo
“The Award helps us connect
lots of people, to the special
qualities of the Cairngorms in
ways that are both lasting
and meaningful”
Senior Visitor Services
How does it work?
The process…
1
Plan your activity
and complete a
Proposal Form.
Discuss to confirm
registration
2
3
Go
Ahead!
Review activity and
complete a Four
Challenge Review
Complete a certificate
request form
Celebrate!
Head, Heart and Hand
The Cycle of Belonging – Alastair McIntosh
1. A sense of place (grounding)
2. gives rise to a sense of identity (ego / head)
3. which carries with it a sense of values (soul / heart)
4. generating a sense of responsibility (action / hand)
That final sense of responsibility then feeds back into renewing
sense of place. All this builds social and environmental
cohesion.
From ‘Hell and High Water – climate change and the human condition.’ by Alastair
McIntosh.
‘…to influence lifestyle choices we must connect
with the heart, senses and emotions rather
than the head and its brain cells.’
Painting the Town Green
Stephen Hounsham
www.green-engage.co.uk
Establishing emotional connections with the environment
also inspires people to think about conservation and
climate change, which, in turn, is likely to encourage
environmentally friendly behaviours - a virtuous cycle of
benefit to the environment.
from an article in New Scientist by Jules Pretty Jan 2008
Thanks for your attendance
Any questions?