Resources for Nature Education
Roshni Ravi curated a set of textual resources on nature education for this issue of Samuhik Pahal, offering valuable insights and knowledge to the readers.
What are some resources we can use to introduce people to the wonders of the natural world? Here, we feature nature education resources in diverse formats, from different parts of India, for a wide range of age groups and learning levels. We also share a glimpse of the resource creation process for some of these to inspire you to create your own materials keeping your local contexts and audiences in mind.
Talking Birds: Early Bird’s mobile-friendly, interactive poster series featuring Indian birds in different habitats, with their calls
Type of Resource: Interactive Digital Posters Published By: Early Bird, Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)
Languages: 10 languages: English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu
Who is this resource for?
Beginner birdwatchers, children and adults!
About the Resource: Early Bird’s interactive digital posters can be accessed on any device – from mobile phones to laptops. The posters feature photographs of common Indian birds across different habitats. Clicking on any bird allows the user to see its enlarged photo, name and some interesting facts about it. You can listen to and learn the bird’s call as well!
Resource Story: In collaboration with photographers, illustrators and designers, the team at Early Bird have created several resources including flashcards, posters and activity sheets to introduce people to birds that can be easily seen around us. Initially, they created posters of birds in different habitats that could be easily put up in classrooms. Interactive digital posters were created in collaboration with Mapunity to popularise Indian birds in a format suited for virtual learning.
Link to Resource/Contact: Interactive Posters https://www.early-bird.in/interactive
Contact: [email protected]
A-Z Picture Cards: Fauna of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Type of Resource: Flash Cards
Published By: Dakshin Foundation
Languages: English
Who is this resource for?
For early readers and anyone wanting to know about the wildlife of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
About the Resource: These A-Z picture cards feature animals seen in and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This resource was developed to make foundational literacy and numeracy accessible through placebased education for children in the islands. Illustrations and interesting facts about 26 land and ocean creatures are featured on these cards – one for each letter of the alphabet! From diet to habitat, the cards are packed with little information nuggets about the islands’ wildlife and can be used to play games and quizzes.
Resource Story: This resource was designed by the Environmental Education team at Dakshin along with illustrator Subhadra Sridharan. The cards will serve as a supplementary resource to the Treasured Island books – a contextual and place-based environmental education curriculum about the islands. The team also sees the cards as a response to the needs of curious students and teachers who want to get to know the animals they spot around them better!
Link to Resource/Contact: https://www.dakshin.org/a-z-picture-cards-the-fauna-ofthe-andaman-and-nicobar-islands/
The Magic of Mangrove: An introduction for young people to the mangrove forests of Odisha
Type of Resource: Activity Book (available as PDF/ hard copy)
Published by: CHALE CHALO, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
Languages: English, Odia
Who is this resource for?
13 years and above. Originally put together as a resource for eco-clubs in government schools in Odisha.
About the Resource: A book that uses activity-based teaching-learning methods to introduce the unique mangrove habitat and its plants and animals to children and young adults. The book features maps, simple experiments, illustrations and a glossary to learn about mangroves not just in Odisha but other parts of India as well. Children get the opportunity to closely observe what they learn in classrooms on visits organized to mangrove nurseries and forests. The use of songs, puzzles and flashcards along with the book makes this learning experience joyful for students.
Resource Story: The team at Chale Chalo has been working on mangrove regeneration, conservation and education since 2005. The book was developed after many visits to the forests to spark curiosity and interest among school students and teachers about mangrove ecosystems they lived so close to.
Conversations with the Forest Department and local communities contributed significantly to this resource.
Contact: Ranjit Swain, Director, Chale Chalo | [email protected]
Shell Shocker: a card game on the turtles and tortoises of India
Type of resource: Card game
Published by: Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAI)
Languages: English
Who is this resource for?
Ages 10 years +
About the Resource: Can a card game help you learn about turtles and tortoises? ‘Shell Shocker’ is an innovative card game that presents interesting facts about the many tortoise and turtle species found in India. A fun and accessible game that can be played in small groups, each card presents opportunities for players to learn about the shell length, weight, diet, clutch size, habitat as well as conservation status of these creatures.
Resource Story: This resource was created by the team at Turtle Survival Alliance India. The game took shape during the lockdown and was brought to life over several online meetings and the efforts of a multidisciplinary team. The cards are packed with information. These can also be used as handy field identification guides by budding biologists and students!
Link to Resource/Contact: If you are a school, library or learning centre write to [email protected] for copies
Purchase link for individual copies: https://www.pashoopakshee.com/product-page/shell-shocker-card-game
Trees of Mangar Bani: An illustrated guide and activity book
Type of Resource: Guide and Activity Book
Published by: Sanctuary Nature Foundation (Mud On Boots) and Mangar Eco Club
Languages: Hindi and English
Who is this resource for?
Members of the Mangar Eco Club and visitors to Mangar Bani
About the Resource: A bilingual resource, this book features 12 iconic tree species found in the Mangar Bani sacred forest on the outskirts of Delhi.
The book puts a spotlight on each tree through illustrations and interesting natural history and cultural information about the trees of Mangar. You will find descriptions of tree parts (that may help you put a name to a tree), information about a tree’s flowering and fruiting patterns, details about a tree’s preferred habitat, as well as the ways in which people use and relate to these trees. Along with this, the book also has fun art activities and games that are sure to help you explore, know and connect with nature around you!
Resource Story: This book was the outcome of a collaborative project between Sanctuary Mud on Boots fellow Sunil Harsana and independent illustrator and designer Labonie Roy. The resource was designed for children of the Mangar Eco Club as well as for visitors coming to the Mangar forest.The intention was to encourage learning about their surroundings and the local ecosystem using an easily accessible booklet. This bilingual book also helps readers learn new words in either language.
Link to Resource/Contact: Visit Mangar Bani and strike up a conversation with Sunil Harsana to get your hands on a copy or write to Labonie Roy [email protected]
Wildlife of Pakke: Colouring Book and Nature Journal
Type of resource: Activity Book (available as PDF/hard copy)
Published by: Eastern Himalaya Program, Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)
Languages: English
Who is this resource for?
Children and grown-ups who live in and around Pakke Tiger Reserve; but also for anyone who wants to know more about the wildlife of Pakke!
About the resource: A unique resource designed to encourage deeper engagement with wildlife through colouring and nature journalling. This activity book has colouring pages featuring simple and detailed drawings. The book is designed with the intention to help the user explore and enjoy the colouring process. Along with drawings there are blank pages to record observations and notes. Both commonly found wildlife and rare species like clouded leopards are featured in this book.
Resource Story: The Eastern Himalaya team at NCF organizes nature camps with school children in and around Pakke. This resource emerged during the pandemic when they could not organize these programs. The resource seeks to encourage children’s creativity and imagination and to capture their own experiences of spotting wildlife around them.
Link to Resource/Contact: https://www.instamojo.com/NCF/wildlife-ofpakke-colouring-book-and-nature–b28a6/?ref=store
Saniya Chaplod | [email protected]
Birds of Kyari
Type of resource: Guide/ Information Booklet
Published by: Kyari Ecoclub and Titli Trust
Languages: Hindi and English
Who is this resource for?
For school eco clubs in Uttarakhand
About the resource: A booklet made by children for children documenting the bird diversity of Kyari village located at the edge of Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand. This resource is a showcase of delightful illustrations and stories of Kyari’s common birds created by children. A truly collaborative effort that captures children’s experiences into a learning resource for other beginner birders.
What it takes/Process: The children of Kyari eco club began documenting the birds they spotted on their nature walks. They translated their observations and learning into drawings and stories that are featured in this booklet.
Link to Resource/Contact: https://wiprofoundation.org/resources/birds-ofkyari/
Sanjay Sondhi [email protected]
We hope these curated resources have inspired you to not just find contextual resources to help you learn and connect with your immediate surroundings but perhaps also given you ideas to create your own resources along with your students!
Here are a few nature education resource repositories and organizations for further exploration:
Nature Vidya developed by Nature Science Initiative https://www.naturevidya.org/
Palluyir Trust for Nature Education and Research https://palluyirtrust.org/
Round Glass Sustain’s Infographics & Explainers https://roundglasssustain.com/explore-infographics
Zoo Outreach Organization https://zooreach.org/
Acknowledgement: We would like to thank Aruna Manjunath, Garima Bhatia, Labonie Roy, Peeyush Sekhsaria, Ranjit Swain, Saniya Chaplod, Sanjay Sondhi and Saurabh Dewan for their time and behind-the-scenes insights on what it takes to put together nature education resources.
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