Seed Scholars is a nature-based experiential eco-education initiative that seeks to re-root young people and their networks in relationships of curiosity and care with the outdoor environment.
About
Seed Scholars seek to integrate interdisciplinary, nature-based learning as an art and a science. Through home greenspace consultations, weekend family workshops, event engagements, teacher courses, after school experiences, and the core primary schools program, Seed Scholars' work hopes to spark and support ongoing nature connection. Seed Scholars arranges for taster workshops for school or community settings who are interested in getting a feeling for what Seed Scholars programming is like. These workshops are intended to introduce groups to Seed Scholars experiences to then assess if they would like to sign up for a full set of sessions. Seed Scholars also partners with ethos-aligned events, festivals and conferences on a case by case basis to offer virtual, in-person, or blended talks, lectures or demonstrations.
Sustainable Development
https://www.seed-scholars.com/
Seed Scholars aims to cultivate nature skills and awareness, collaboration, and creativity as well as a sense of awe stemming from engagement with the interconnected cycles of the seasons. Through facilitated grounding in regular attention to place and its wonders, the company believes participants will feel intrinsically drawn and oriented towards stewardship, climate mitigation, and social justice action.
Sustainability Impact
Problem: The growing lack of quality time spent with natural landscapes is proven to negatively impact attention span, mental and physical health. Solution: At the core of the business is the desire to heal this rift through spending meaningful time outside together and hearing and sharing the stories that surface. As a result of this, young people are simultaneously working towards restoring their own collective wellbeing. Activities range from nature games, songs, and storytelling, to wild foraging, growing an edible garden and learning about climate awareness. Impact: Through outdoor nature-based learning programmes, the company supports holistic wellbeing as communities tend to themselves, each other and the land where they live.
SDGs goals and Sustainable development strategy
Goal 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Core Activity: Grass-roots engagement and activities for young people Impact: Fair and equal access to nature for children across Ireland Key Characteristics: Promotes sustainable engagement with nature Contributors: Students | Families | Communities |Civil Society
Goal 12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Core Activity: Greater awareness and education = better, more selective choices Impact: Improves awareness of the importance of nature and the role it needs to play to preserve the future of our planet Key Characteristics: Promotes responsible consumption and production Contributors: Educators | Service Providers | Buyers | Media | Communities
Goal 17. Partnerships for the Goals: Core Activity: Support to drive small and large initiative which allow young people engage with nature Impact: Fair and equal access to nature for children across Ireland Key Characteristics: Access to nature resources Contributors: Educators | Stakeholders | Communities| Young People | Families
Strategy & Mission
The Seed Scholars solution to Richard Louve's described "nature deficit disorder" is not new, and looks to the long traditions from ancestral ways of knowing to re-form a multi-branched approach to the deep and impactful work of nature reconnection, reaching young people & their networks in a range of spaces.
Impact Evaluation
They have no knowledge on how to monitor their sustainable practices impact. But it is definitely something they would like to be able to do, they would like tools to be able to do so.
Motivation
Motivation to be in line with SDGs is natural for them. It is what they want to be doing, and what makes them happy. They don’t want to be harming the environment and they are passionate about teaching others to do the same and to encourage them to be a part of this change. Sustainable practices is a part of their core personal values.
