The Naturalist Training Camp is an educational program organized by the Environmental Education Center at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG). It aims to foster a holistic sense of nature connectedness by emphasizing social relationships and personal identity alongside knowledge acquisition. However, there has been limited research on the effectiveness of this approach.
In a study published in Integrative Conservation, researchers conducted a systematic evaluation of the Naturalist Training Camp to investigate the relationship between naturalist activities, conservation willingness, and mental well-being.
Held twice a year, the program selects approximately 30 participants from a nationwide applicant pool. The training lasts around 9 days and includes lectures and outdoor practical observation sessions, covering various natural subjects such as plants, insects, reptiles, arthropods, and birds. Renowned researchers and science communicators deliver lectures in each field with the goal of developing knowledgeable naturalists and creating a platform for enthusiasts to learn and engage.
The study used surveys and interviews to gather information from 26 participants before the camp, immediately after, and 6 months later.
The evaluation focused on key perceptual aspects of the course and investigated its impact on participants' biodiversity knowledge, social connectedness, identity, conservation willingness, and mental well-being.
The findings indicated that the camp's most significant features include novelty, a family-like atmosphere, and professionalism. Moreover, the camp was found to notably improve participants' willingness to engage in biodiversity conservation, strengthen their identity as naturalists, and enhance their mental well-being.
The study suggests that engaging the public in naturalist activities can be an effective tool for environmental protection and improving mental health. Fostering naturalist identities benefits both people and the planet.
Contact
CHEN Jin Ph.D Principal Investigator
Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China
E-mail: cj@xtbg.org.cn
First Published: 11 February 2025
Photos of activities at the Naturalist Training Camp.
