Outdoor learning in a forest setting has numerous benefits for both children and adults. Here are some of the key values:
- Connecting with nature: Spending time in nature helps to cultivate a sense of appreciation, respect, and wonder for the natural world. This can help to foster a deeper connection to the environment, which can lead to increased environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors.
- Physical and mental health: Being in nature has been shown to have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. It can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase physical activity levels, all of which can contribute to overall well-being.
- Learning through experience: Outdoor learning provides hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that can deepen understanding and retention of concepts of forest ecology.
- Creativity and imagination: Being in nature can stimulate creativity and imagination. It can inspire artistic expression, storytelling, and imaginative play.
- Social development: Outdoor learning in a forest setting can promote social development by encouraging collaboration, communication, and teamwork. It can also provide opportunities for building relationships and developing a sense of community.
Overall, outdoor learning in a forest setting can provide a rich and diverse learning environment that supports physical, mental, social, and emotional development for both children and adults.
In 2017, a Biodiversity Conservation Learning Centre was established by Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) with the support of BirdLife International Tokyo and other organizations.
The objectives of the project was:
- To increase the level of knowledge of local people on bird, biodiversity and green environment conservation at RCF.
- To analyze how human influx and vegetation affects the distribution of birds in the urban gradients
- To strengthen bird, biodiversity and nature conservation education in schools and colleges.
- To encourage the general public and policy makers to promote bird habitat in urban areas.
Ranibari CFUG is also working in partnership with Nature Conservation and Study Centre (NCSC) to systematically study vital ecosystem functions of the forest, preserve and restore the natural systems, and to highlight the importance of urban green spaces.
Forests are rich sources of diverse plant and animal species, which make them important ecosystems for scientific research. Our community forest offers a wide range of flora and fauna that can be studied and analyzed by students and researchers. This natural environment provides a unique opportunity to conduct research on topics such as biodiversity, ecology, climate change, and the impact of human activities on the natural world. Furthermore, the forest provides an ideal setting for fieldwork and practical training, allowing students to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience in their respective fields.