Publication and resources

Publication and resources

Nurtured or Inborn? Our Environmental Education Tutors!

The number of dreams being an environmental educator is unknown, neither is the number of people trying their best to achieve it. To make the dream come true, talent is important but everyone could become an environmental educator. For us, we endeavor to reach this target through – ‘Train the trainer’ approach.

‘Train the trainer’ is an important concept in environmental education. In ordinary training, participants do obtain relative knowledge and skills. However, knowledge gained will be forgotten as time passes by, and skills only remain in a theoretical stage. Eventually, all you have is just a certificate to prove your participation in the training. ‘Train the trainer’ allows participants to be tutor, leading environmental education activities right after training, consolidating their knowledge. By delivering the knowledge and environmental protection messages they have learnt, they put ‘education for the environment’ into practice, and forming a deep connection with nature.

Since the establishment of OWLHK, around 400 environmental educators were trained. Among them, not only are there students from tertiary institutes but also retired seniors. Different themes of training were included, such as habitats and species like forests, streams, amphibians and reptiles.

Started As a Participant And Became a Team Member of OWLHK?

Mr. Tree Fong, one of our trained tutors, was studying creative media in the City University of Hong Kong when he joined the tertiary student training of the programme ‘ECF · Joyful Learning in Forest Ecology · Board Game · Outdoor · Environmental Education’. Through board game ‘Law of the Forest’, he learned about the local forest ecology, and started practicing one of the environmental education approaches ‘education about the environment’. Afterwards, through learning first-hand in Tai Po Kau Natural Reserve and the Aberdeen Country Park, he achieved another approach ‘education in the environment’. After becoming a trainee, he had to lead board game environmental education activity and related outdoor activities with ‘Law of the Forest’ in multiple events. This arrangement allows tutors to not only practice their learned skills but also gain experience. Also, with self-reflection throughout the process, one could further improve the activity content and one’s explanation skills. Sometimes the unexpected happens, one could learn how to deal with the unexpected, simultaneously achieving growth in both learner and teacher.
Having hands-on experience of board game as environmental education tool before leading activities (Tree at the third from right)

It is well noted that the major difference between ordinary teaching and our specific method of environmental education is to allow trainees to achieve “education for the environment”. Through hands-on experience in leading and designing activities, trainees were able to contribute to environmental education and understand the positive impacts on the environment brought by them. This would further enhance and consolidate their determination and faith in protecting the environment.

Tertiary student Tree leading environmental education activity with their own designated card set

It is maybe of this reason, Tree has chosen to continue his career in this industry and became an intern in OWLHK, eventually becoming our team member. His experience in leading environmental education activities allow him to familiarize rapidly with his tasks and speak up confidently when assisting in other activities or facing new challenges. Furthermore, the soft skills earned in the past such as communication skills and resilience allow him to deal with administrative work with care.

In conclusion, ‘train the trainer’ is an important method in environmental education. Yet, in order to reach ultimate effectiveness, the following must be achieved:

We strongly believe that the seedlings we spread with this mode of environmental education will meet its harvesting season. In the near future, everyone will be able to promote environmental education, nurturing the next environmental educator that leads others to protect the environment.

Tutor explaining the historical changes of local forests in detail
Indoor follow-up activities are essential to consolidate students’ knowledge