Environmental animateur as an interpreter of nature experiences and ecosocially significant relationships
Keywords:
ecosocial approach, emancipation, experience, love, nature connectedness, sociocultural animationAbstract
The article outlines the starting points, principles and goals of environmental animateuring suitable for different educational contexts. The need to conceptualize environmental animateuring was born in the Arts for Parks project in Ohio. The interviews of environmental educators and the observations of workshops brought up the essential characteristics, such as the responsible nature connection arising from the educator’s own experiences, their deep love of nature and enthusiasm for sharing information and providing experiences to others. On this basis, and based on the theories of sociocultural animation, we propose that environmental animateuring should start from a place-based and personal approach. The central task of an animateur is to work as an interpreter of ecosocially significant relationships. The goal is to emancipate people from their unsustainable values, beliefs, and practices. Environmental animateuring is community action towards a more ecologically and socially sustainable future.
