#NatureForAll... Forever
Exploring Musquash Estuary (photo by Mike Dembeck)
On International Day of Friendship, July 30, 2019, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is celebrating its involvement with #NatureForAll, a global initiative encouraging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to connect with nature. NCC offers a variety of programs that can help you, your friends and your family reconnect with nature and contribute to conservation efforts across Canada.
What is #NatureForAll?
Kids in nature (Photo by NCC)
Launched in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the #NatureForAll initiative brings together conservation organizations, governments and environmentally minded individuals from across the world, with the goal of inspiring more people to experience, appreciate and care for nature.
The IUCN is collecting inspiring stories of how people worldwide connect with nature, building communications tools that make engagement with nature more accessible to the public and encouraging others to share the message of connecting to nature. The IUCN has partnered with many conservation organizations, including NCC, to help make the natural world more accessible to all.
The #NatureForAll program prioritizes strengthening the connection between younger generations and the natural world. By embracing new technologies and finding fun ways to spend time in nature, the IUCN hopes to inspire a new generation of nature-conscious leaders. A key belief of #NatureForAll is that people from all walks of life, regardless of age, ability or background, should be able to engage with and enjoy the natural world around them.
How you can connect with nature
The easiest way to build a connection with nature is to experience it first-hand. NCC’s Nature Destinations program features 36 of our country’s most awe-inspiring natural areas and invites the public to visit, learn about and experience their unique beauty. Nature Destinations can be found across the country, and they highlight the biodiversity, landscapes and important conservation work taking place on our properties. We invite you to explore our Nature Destinations website and connect with these important landscapes in person.
Volunteers clearing broom on James Island, BC (Photo by NCC)
For those looking for something more hands-on, NCC’s Conservation Volunteers program provides members of the public an opportunity to sign up for volunteer events in their area and actively contribute to conservation initiatives NCC undertakes to protect Canada’s natural areas. Our knowledgeable staff ensure that each Conservation Volunteers event is a fun, educational and rewarding way to engage directly with the natural world. Activities such as biodiversity surveys, habitat or trail restoration and beach cleanups allow people from a variety of backgrounds to come together and make a difference while deepening their connection with the land. You can sign up for a Conservation Volunteers event here.
Nature is more than just parks and protected areas; it is also familiar, accessible and close by. All you need to do is reconnect with it. It is with this spirit of accessibility that NCC has announced its 2019 Nature Talks speaker series, called City of life: Rediscovering nature in your own backyard. With a gathering together of some of Canada’s most insightful scientists, artists and thought-leaders, we look forward to having a discussion about rediscovering nature in your own backyard and how it can improve your nature connection in even the most urban parts of the country. You can attend our speaker series in four Canadian cities and learn directly from some of the country’s greatest nature experts.
Halifax skyline viewed from the future Halifax Wilderness Park (Photo by Irwin Barrett)
Still not sure how to best strengthen your connection with nature? Starting this month, NCC encourages you to take this short Nature Score quiz to determine your level of nature connectivity. With your Nature Score in hand, you can then sign up for our Nature Coach tool, which will provide you with weekly personalized tips and achievable goals to guide you to a happier, healthier lifestyle and help you feel more connected to the natural world around you.
A community for conservation
Together with the IUCN and our other global partners, NCC is committed to strengthening modern society’s connection to nature. NCC represents just one of the many conservation organizations across the globe working to bridge the gap between people and the natural world. By sharing our admiration of and passion for nature with the world and the next generation in particular, we can build the foundation for a world that prioritizes nature conservation and recognizes the value of maintaining a strong connection between people and nature.
About the Author
Craig Doucette joined the Nature Conservancy of Canada team in October 2018. Fascinated by the connections between wildlife and the habitats they occupy, he studied wildlife biology and ecosystem management at the University of Guelph and Fleming College.
