The Gütersloh facility receives a plaque for training a "NABU Nature Ambassador."
The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) has awarded the Bertelsmann-supported Villa Kunterbunt family center in Gütersloh a plaque for its
environmental protection efforts. Since last year, the oldest children at the daycare center have been discovering nature on the grounds under the guidance of Christiane Wiegand, a trainee NABU nature ambassador. She has now received her certification as a nature ambassador – and the children can now become "nature explorers."
The outdoor area of Villa Kunterbunt was redesigned years ago by parents, staff, and children as a nature playground. Since then, it has offered the 60 children plenty of opportunities to play and romp around for every age group, but above all, lots of inspiration and ideas for experiencing nature and the environment up close. When Christiane Wiegand asked Villa Kunterbunt in the spring of last year if it would like to become a NABU partner institution, director Christiane Keller and her team colleagues were very receptive to the idea.
Awakening interest in nature and nature conservation
On her way to retirement, Christiane Wiegand decided to take part in training to become a daycare nature ambassador for the German non-profit organization, which is committed to protecting nature and the environment. NABU daycare "nature ambassadors" are now active in many daycare centers across Germany. They implement practical nature conservation projects in the facilities, thereby promoting biodiversity. They help to design the outdoor areas of the daycare centers in a nature-friendly way and work with the children to create nesting aids, beds for vegetables and (wild) flowers, as well as habitats for wild bees, hedges, and butterfly beds. The projects in the daycare centers are intended to improve conditions for native species, with NABU providing materials such as seeds, shrubs, other plants, and literature. Above all, however, the aim is to awaken and encourage children's interest in nature, the environment, and nature conservation.
The "nature ambassadors" work on a voluntary basis and without remuneration in consultation with the educators and, during the course of their two-year training, carry out sponsored daycare centers with a focus on "nature and the environment for crafting, playing, singing, and experiencing." In addition, they organize joint parent-child activities.
