Education & Research

eyes4earth is a a communication and outreach portal for doctoral research currently being carried out on ‘meaningful nature experiences’ and their relevance to education for sustainability. In addition to understanding how they may help us reconnect to nature, a core component is to gain insight into how issues such as exotic/non-native/alien invasive species and biodiversity loss affect the integrity, frequency and richness of these experiences, e.g peak, profound and synchronistic encounters with wildlife.The research seeks to document and share global perceptions and experiences. Whilst stories are being invited from around the globe, the scope of the research is primarily focused on the southern Cape of South Africa.

eyes4earth.org sees education and research outreach as crucial to the process this transdisciplinary endeavour. Activities are specifically targeted in and around the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve in South Africa (of which part is UNESCO World Heritage-listed) and, to date, focus on three target groups:

1. ‘Previously Disadvantaged’ youth (in their 20s) from Coloured communities in the Baviaanskloof. These are folk who have found a love for nature and, given the opportunity, have an earnest desire to share this passion with schools, tourists and fellow community in the area. These individuals have recently formed themselves as the Baviaanskloof Nature Awareness Group. Insights from eyes4earth research are being used to transfer skills, knowledge and motivate support for their initiative. Wilderness trails and experiential workshops are being offered to help the Group grow. This is being done in partnership with Kenchaan Foundation, TerraPi and the PRESENCE Network.

2. Tertiary students of various nationalities (‘tomorrow’s decision-makers’). Learning from eyes4earth research is supporting field education curricula development and practice for tertiary students active in the Baviaanskloof Mega-Reserve with thesis research, internships or course participation. This education is largely outdoor-based and encompasses field trips, wilderness hikes, interactive lectures and other activities. To date, eyes4earth research has benefited students: a) involved in PRESENCE in the Baviaanskloof and b) participating students in the six-week intensive Wildlands Studies field conservation course.

3. Broader public. eyes4earth.org itself aims to act as an education and outreach portal for interested visitors to learn more about the concept of meaningful nature experience and share information of interest through their own social networks.

Questions or feedback are welcome at info@eyes4earth.org

This research is being led by Matthew Zylstra and based at Stellenbosch University (Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology and Department of Education) and housed in the TsamaHUB’s transdisciplinary doctoral programme for sustainability. The research is funded through the Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) and supported by EarthCollective, Living Lands and the PRESENCE Network. Acknowledgements also go out to: IDEA WILD for the valuable field equipment; to Cybertracker for free use of their versatile field software; and to the Canon Australia Environmental Grant for imaging equipment to support outreach activities with “What did nature do for you today” during 2007-2009.

  • The Science & Art of Reconnecting

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    Some experiential practices

    Do meaningful nature experiences reconnect us to nature and, if they do, what does reconnecting to nature look and feel like? What kind of (education) practices does that embody on a practical level?

    We are still arriving at answers for those questions. But from what we already know, the education courses we have designed for both community youth and tertiary students have successfully experimented with the following: time ‘being’ in the wilderness, interactive lectures; sensory awareness activities; empathetic dialogue and debates; ‘active intentioning’ and gratitude practices; eco-literacy with respect to flora & fauna identification (both native & invasive); conservation ‘conundrums’ with conflicting and convergent perspectives; wildlife tracking; animal behaviour observation; ‘African yoga’ and reflective journal writing… A primary aim has been to initiate self-study of the depth of experience, possible meanings or ‘mirrors’ perceived from encounters in nature and to reflect on whether the integrity of the experience was enhanced or diminished by the presence of alien invasive species (or biodiversity richness) in the area.

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    Take the survey

    Please click here to take the eyes4earth survey and tell us about your profound encounters with wildlife encounters. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. The results are being used to further research on how experiences (such as synchronicity in nature) may influence one’s connectedness to nature or be affected by environmental change.  The long-term aim is to use insights from your and others’ experiences from around the globe to better inform and shape sustainability education and conservation management.

    If you choose not to take the  survey but would still like to make contact or share a story then simply email matt@eyes4earth.org and we’ll take it from there….

    Thanks in advance for your cooperation and assistance.

    Please view our privacy policy to reassure that your responses will be used responsibly and in a confidential manner if desired.