Discussion Table: Connecting communities with biodiversity on their doorstep
The Natural History Museum’s Urban Nature Project is reshaping the museum’s outdoor spaces and public engagement – reaching out and challenging the notion that there is no nature in urban areas for people to connect with. On the contrary, nature in cities can be a valuable home for rich biodiversity and a gateway to connecting millions of people to nature, we just need to unlock its potential. We will discuss how we are supporting community groups, young people, and youth workers to enhance their connection with nature right on their own doorstep, developing science capital, wellbeing, and creating advocates for the planet. Victor will run this session jointly with Theo Blossom, Natural History Museum.
Biography
I’m Victor and I’ve been doing activities for children and families for 20 years, beginning as a volunteer with summer activity clubs at the Royal Ontario Museum back in high school, where the programme blended arts and object-based learning. After moving to London, I worked in outdoor education at the London Wetland Centre. Now, as Outdoor Learning Programme Developer at the Natural History Museum, I’m working on creating a vibrant learning programme in the Museum’s small wildlife garden.