The Biodiversity through Hiking workshop was an outdoor educational activity designed to combine environmental learning with experiential exploration. Taking place on the Mathiatis trail in Nicosia, the event engaged participants in hands-on activities focused on biodiversity awareness, sustainability, and teamwork. Through hiking, geocaching, and species identification, participants were encouraged to connect with nature while developing practical skills such as navigation, collaboration, and responsible environmental behavior.
Objectives:
- To acquire knowledge about the biodiversity
- To promote exploration and learning in the natural environment
- To promote recycling practices
- To develop navigation skills, teamwork, survival skills
Desired outcomes:
- Participants will develop a solid understanding of biodiversity and the importance of environmental conservation.
- Learners will build a stronger connection with nature through exploration and hands-on outdoor activities.
- Participants will adopt positive sustainability habits, including proper recycling and responsible behaviour in natural environments.
- Learners will enhance practical skills such as navigation, teamwork, and basic survival techniques through geocaching challenges.
Description and Implementation:
Teams received a set of species cards and followed treasure-hunt clues hidden around the area to locate the target species. They photographed each discovery and uploaded it to iNaturalist for identification, earning points for every species found and for collecting trash along the way. After 45 minutes, teams returned to the workshop base, where the facilitator collected the results and led a discussion on which species were rare, how many were already familiar, and what unusual things they encountered during the hunt.
Feedback:
- Teams appreciated the hands-on experience of exploring nature while practicing sustainability, such as trash collection.
- Participants noted improvements in teamwork, navigation, and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Overall, the Biodiversity through Hiking workshop successfully achieved its objectives by blending learning, physical activity, and environmental responsibility in a natural setting. Participants demonstrated increased awareness of biodiversity, strengthened teamwork and navigation skills, and adopted more sustainable habits through practical engagement. The positive outcomes highlight the value of interactive, outdoor-based learning approaches and offer useful insights for future STELLA project activities, particularly in adapting content to different age groups and expanding nature-based educational initiatives.