”People for Nature” – ProPark honours people’s contribution to nature conservation
What does it mean to be a park ranger? How could forest management support conservation? Can we rely on nature to restore our health? What does experiential education for nature mean? What is the role of a park biologist? These are some of the questions the 8 short films “People for Nature” produced by Propark Foundation address.
Article written by Alina Ioniță
Nature conservation expert, the initiator and mastermind of ”People for Nature”
”People for Nature” – ProPark honours people’s contribution to nature conservation
Nature conservation’s success relies on the motivation, professionalism, dedication and actions of people working in this field. Given its complexity, this sector gathers people with a great diversity of educational backgrounds, professional and personal interests, competencies and life stories. This results in a captivating and inspiring mosaic of perspectives and ideas about conservation work itself.
Furthermore, in nature conservation work, our professional competencies intertwine with our beliefs, passion and dedication, our personal experiences and insights, giving a personal touch to our work and fuelling it. This fascinating intertwining is the cornerstone for this project.
But do we make time and space to talk about such things? How often do we reflect on our passions, our motivations, what determined us to work for nature, our “heroes” who inspired us along the way? How often do we talk about our daily work activities and how these contribute to society, or about our appreciation for our peer’s work? And how often do we even share our conclusions publicly or within our community of practice?
‘People for Nature’ brings the missing ingredient – a ‘melting pot’, a space – be it virtual or metaphorical – for sharing, for reflection and debate.
The aim is to contribute to fostering public support for the conservation sector in Romania. By focusing on people and honouring their contribution, by showcasing the beauty, the complexity and originality of different occupations we want to ignite the public’s curiosity and enable them to understand the importance of this sector for our well-being.
Moreover, the examples and insights of remarkable and authentic professionals are the building blocks for the developing community of practitioners who can inspire the new generation.
The series is continuously developing and it currently includes 8 short films, produced by Propark Foundation for Protected areas in Romania in collaboration with NTD Films. What does it mean to be a park ranger? How could forest management support conservation? How can we value nature to keep and restore our health? What does experiential education for nature mean? What does a park biologist do? What does an ornithologist do for nature conservation? How can conservationists work with the business sector to balance conservation and development? These are some of the questions the films are addressing by using the amazing power of image and sound.
The blog complements the films as a space for sharing personal stories and insights (in Romanian language only)
