THIS GUIDEBOOK HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH GUIDEBOOK 2019 THE SCHOOL NETWORK IN PROTECTED AREA Guidebook for Protected Areas and Schools Publisher WWF Adria, Zelinska 2, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia Park Dinarides – network of protected areas of Dinarides, Radoje Dakić Boulevard, Lamella C - Entrance 1, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro Editor Jovana Dragić May Authors Bojan Savić, Marija Kukec, Sonja Bađura, Vanja Debevec Contributors Alice Thinschmidt, Emil Benesch, Irina Damnjanović, Ljiljana Jovanović, Margareta Vidmar Translation and proofreading James May, Mark Pullen Cover photo by Lukas Ilgner Design Imre Sebestyén Contacts [email protected] [email protected] Printed on 100% recycled paper, June 2019 The project "Protected Areas for Nature and People" is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). This guidebook is made within the framework of the project, and Sida does not necessarily share the views expressed in this guidebook. Responsibility for the content of the guidebook rests entirely with the author. wwfadria.org www.facebook.com/wwfadria © 1986 Panda Symbol WWF - World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund) ® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark. Table of Content INTRODUCTION 5 NATURE FOR ALL 7 LEARNING ABOUT NATURE THROUGH PLAY 9 The key elements of a successful outdoor programme . .10 EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND CRITICAL THINKING 12 Why is it important? . 12 Different perspectives. 14 Analyse evidence . 15 Non-routine tasks . 16 Deep structure. 16 THE SCHOOL NETWORK IN PROTECTED AREAS 19 What are the benefits of a School Network? . 19 Benefits for Schools. 19 Improving learning . 19 Knowing, respecting and protecting local heritage. 22 Benefits of Spending Time in Nature. 23 Benefits for Protected Areas . 23 Benefits for Local Community . 25 Partnerships between Schools and Protected Areas. 26 Cooperation. 27 Finance. 28 Mission. 28 Network coordinator. .28 Importance of Natural and Cultural Heritage. 29 Steps for Creating a School Network. 30 Step 1. 30 Step 2.. 31 Step 3.. 31 Step 4.. 31 Step 5. 31 Step 6.. 32 Step 7.. 32 Who can be a part of School Network?. 34 PROJECT PLANNING 35 Long-Term and Short-Term Goals. 35 What are SMART goals? . .37 How to Write SMART Goals . .38 Specific . 38 Measurable. 39 Attainable. 40 THE SCHOOL NETWORK IN PROTECTED AREA 3 Relevant . 41 Time-bound . 41 Gantt Charts . .43 What is Gantt Chart? . 43 Importance of Roles . .44 MAINTAINING THE SCHOOL NETWORK 46 Monitoring and evaluation . 47 BUILDING THE REPUTATION OF THE SCHOOL NETWORK 49 CONTACT OUR PROTECTED AREAS 51 REFERENCES 52 ANNEX 1 53 ANNEX 2 101 ANNEX 3 104 ANNEX 4 111 THE SCHOOL NETWORK IN PROTECTED AREA 4 Introduction Protected Areas are frequently home to threatened and irreplaceable biodiversity.They are therefore rightly recognized as centers of conservation of habitats that are vital for the survival and prosperity of numerous species. It is important that Protected Areas also become centers for education, in order to prepare and inspire a new generation to achieve our global and local conservation goals. Protected Areas in the Adria region are rich and diverse in species, habitats and cultural heritage. As such they have great potential to become exceptional open air classrooms for environmental education and experiential learning. Supported by structured education programmes and trained educators, Protected Areas are undoubtedly excellent places for children and young people to learn about nature and gain the problem-solving, critical thinking and team-working skills they need in the 21st Century. Since 2016 WWF Adria has impemented the project “Protected Areas for Nature and People”, which is designed to enhance communication between Protected Areas and the local community, to better include local communities in the management of Protected Areas, and to develop educational programmes for children and tourism offers that will improve visitors experience and drive the development of the Protected Areas. Our journey into environmental education in protected areas began with the programme “WWF Nature Academy”, which was conducted in cooperation with five Protected Areas in Serbia, 23 dedicated teachers and around 300 children from primary and secondary schools. This programme demonstated that working simultaneously with Protected Area staff, teachers and students, by bringing them together and creating conditions in which they can develop and implement activities Škocjan Caves Park © WWF Adria THE SCHOOL NETWORK IN PROTECTED AREA 5 together, leads to better learning outcomes and to common understanding of needs, highlights the benefits of and potential for further cooperation, builds trust and strengthens relationships as a basis for fruitful long-term partnerships that benefit everyone involved. Following the success of the WWF Nature Academy in Serbia, WWF Adria and our partner Park Dinarides decided to launch a new regional education project covering Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, which aims to further strengthen cooperation between communities and Protected Area authorities through establishing School Networks in the Protected Areas. School Networks aim to create long-term and efficient partnerships between local schools and a Protected Area that is bound by the common goal of preserving local natural and cultural heritage in a way that contributes to the wellbeing of the local community. We have created this guidebook, The School Network in Protected Area, for Protected Areas managers that want to work togeher with local teachers to develop educational programmes or improve existing ones, and for schools that are interested in conducting their school curiculla in the amazing environments of Protected Areas. In the chapters Learning about nature through play and Educational Activities and Critical Thinking we explain how to develop educational activities and in Annex 1 - Learning about nature through play - Description of activities we provide detailed explanations of examples of activities. We hope that you will use.