COS 13-4 - Integrating art, science and philosophy to promote and teach ecology to a new generation of urban field naturalists

Abstract: In a rapidly urbanising world there is an urgent need to find better ways to encourage city dwellers to engage with and understand the animals and plants that they share their environment with. The benefits of spending time in nature are increasingly recognised as a key driver of wellbeing in cities, and increased understanding of the ecological interactions among organisms is seen a key motivator for many people to do this more often.

The Urban Field Naturalist Project integrates science, art and philosophy to inspire city dwellers to observe and report nature in their local environments. By providing a series of field guides and activities to explore the world around them, it reimagines the naturalist tradition to create an inclusive, and interactive approach to observing, recording, and learning about nature in the everyday. Our aim was to create multiple resources and activities showcasing urban ecology, with a focus on engaging with audiences that are often not well served by citizen science projects.

Activities and resources developed in partnership with headspace, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, applied in events for 16-25 year olds from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Sydney. Events combined 2 hour “walkshops” led by ecologists, digital and physical resources, and citizen science projects.

We developed three illustrated guides offering distinct perspectives on insect pollination. The first identified the importance of pollination in ecology, and the techniques we used to study it, highlighting why we should all spend more time simply staring at flowers. The second looked at pollinator guilds, their adaptations, and idiosyncrasies, highlighting the importance of insects as pollinators. The third perspective focussed on hover flies, unsung heroes of the pollination world, and why they deserve greater recognition for their ecological services.

Participants reported significantly increased interest in local nature, with many expressing surprise at the diversity of organisms they observed. In addition to reporting on the target groups, iNaturalist records from the project included many opportunistic reports on non-target species, with participants relishing the chance to “choose your own adventure” with respect to exploring their local environment.

This interdisciplinary collaboration highlighted the importance of integrating multiple worldviews to effectively introduce the natural world to reach new audiences. Critically, our approach blending facts, narratives, and creative activities to cultivate a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world identified a pathway to help people tell their stories about biodiversity in their cities.