Nature Adventure: Day of the Young Nature Guardians in Saxony!

Nature Adventure: Day of the Young Nature Guardians in Saxony!

Next Saturday, June 16, 2025, everything in Saxony revolves around nature: the day of the “Young Nature Watchers” is coming up. Under the motto “Out into nature”, girls and boys aged seven to eighteen are invited to explore the local flora and fauna up close. This event is hosted by the Saxon State Foundation for Nature and Environment organizes and offers an extensive program that is both educational and entertaining.

Unarmed with a magnifying glass, a landing net or an identification book, the young participants go out into the forests, ponds and meadows. Not only do they gain an introduction to the basics of nature conservation, but they also learn exciting details about the biodiversity of the Free State, for example about wild animals such as lynx, wolves and wild cats. Practical tips, such as first aid in the forest, are another part of the program.

History mirror: children and nature

Historically, children have naturally had close contact with nature. In the 1960s and 1970s they spent most of their free time outdoors, playing with natural materials and growing up in a natural environment. But times have changed. Today, many children prefer digital media to traditional play in nature. They also spend most of their time indoors, be it at home, in daycare centers or schools. Urbanization means that, according to forecasts, around 70% of people will live in cities by 2050, further limiting experiences of nature.

Scientific studies show that a lack of exposure to nature can lead to health problems such as obesity and ADHD. It is therefore important that children again have access to natural experiences to promote their motor skills and social skills. Children have a right to these experiences, which are essential for healthy growth, as well Specialist article on early childhood education emphasize.

Project JuNa and the outlook

A specific project that supports this concern is the JuNa project, which has been running since 2017 in cooperation with the Saxon State Ministry for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture and other institutions. The aim is to provide professional support and documentation of children's experiences in nature. The aim is to develop guidelines for carers that promote the integration of nature-based experiences into early childhood education.

The program not only includes basic courses, but also offers the opportunity to flexibly adapt the topics to regional characteristics in order to do justice to the diversity of nature.

In summary, we can say that initiatives such as the “Young Nature Guardian Day” not only offer young people a platform to discover nature, but are also an important step in increasing awareness of nature conservation and the importance of environmental education. It's up to us to take advantage of these opportunities!