According to IVN, winter is a period of rest, reflection and taking root, and a wonderful time to pause together and reflect on what has been built: a powerful network of pioneers bringing nature-rich learning and play to life. The conference serves to strengthen and renew connections and, from there, to continue growing towards a future in which nature is naturally part of growing up, learning and development.

What can you expect?

  • Inspiring speakers and stories, for example about what nature does for your health.
  • Workshops full of practical tools on how to integrate nature into the classroom.
  • Nature experiences that stimulate your senses: experience nature with all your senses.
  • A nature market where you can gather ideas and talk to people who give nature a place in their work.
  • New connections with colleagues who share your passion for nature and education.

Plenary speakers

  • Vincent van der Veen (IVN): the necessity of nature-rich education and childcare
  • Hermelijn Smits (LUMC): bacteria for resilience
  • Karoly Ily (Longfonds): contact with nature helps reduce asthma
  • Marco van Es (Bac2nature): the medical urgency of contact with nature

Nature experiences and workshops

During the conference, you can take part in one nature experience and two workshops. When registering, you can choose from an overview of the sessions that appeal to you most. To help you make the right choice, below is an overview of all ten nature experiences and eleven workshops you can choose from.

Nature experiences

  • Nature experience 1: From Story to Experience By: Anna van Duuren – Humankind Childcare and Development
  • Nature experience 2: Forest Bathing By: Marije Geenevasen – IVN Nature Education & Rhythms of Nature
  • Nature experience 3: Winter Birds on the Veluwe By: Joris Buis – IVN Nature Education
  • Nature experience 4: Connecting with Silence By: Birgit Snelleman – Factor V, Connector in Vitality
  • Nature experience 5: Sensory Experience – The Art of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)
  • Nature experience 6: Forms of Play in Nature – With Nature! By: Marion de Cocq – IVN Nature Education
  • Nature experience 7: Creativity Boost in the Green By: Méla Krijger – Natuurhub Amsterdam
  • Nature experience 8: Nature as a Studio By: Heleen van der Veen (Humankind) & Yvon Wagenaar (artist and project leader)
  • Nature experience 9: Nature Photography with Your Smartphone By: Joëlle Baijer – Guerrilla Gardeners
  • Nature experience 10: Spirit of the Wild By: Stefanie Boomsma – Thuis in het Bos

Workshops

  • Workshop 1: Green Schoolyards – Adventurous Learning Landscapes and Green Living Rooms for the Neighbourhood By: Ian Mostert – IVN Nature Education
  • Workshop 2: Nature-Inclusive Education. How? By: Florinda Bakker & Miranda Scharff – Montessorischool Arcade
  • Workshop 3: Come Outside! By: Karin Hendriks – Jenaplanschool De Kleine Planeet (Zinder) & Margret Omtzigt – Kindcentrum St. Joseph Emmeloord (Aves)
  • Workshop 4: Your Outdoor Space as a Green Learning Environment By: Elena Francissen – Natuurhub Amsterdam (part of IVN Nature Education)
  • Workshop 5: Growing in the Green – A Rich Learning Environment Outside the School By: Robert Bos – IVN Nature Education
  • Workshop 6: Nature Kr8 for Childcare By: Angela Senior – Humankind & Maartje Langeslag – IVN Nature Education
  • Workshop 7: Learning Through Outdoor Play By: Stefan de Beukelaar – NatuurlijkSportief
  • Workshop 8: Babies in the Green – Setting the Stage for Play By: Mariska Venema & Elise Peters – Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
  • Workshop 9: From Pocketknife to Campfire – Risky Play in Childcare By: Sanne Moes – IVN Nature Education & José Lenders – Humankind
  • Workshop 10: Towards Nature-Inclusive Utrecht Schools (only for Utrecht primary schools) By: Meike Stieglis – IVN Nature Education, Irma Melse – IVN Nature Education, Florinda Bakker – Montessorischool Arcade & Miranda Scharff – Montessorischolen Monton
  • Workshop 11: Learning from Food Forests (only for Food Forest Guardians) By: Marieke Dekker – IVN Nature Education

For more information about the nature experiences and workshops, click here.