How did we do in 2013?
Click the pdf above to see our 2013 Presentation of Achievements.
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In 2013, over 300 lives directly
benefited from our mission and programs. We hope to refine our approach to be
even more effective in 2014. Thank you for your support!
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During 2013, NatureWize reached over 130 families to experience the health and wellness benefits, including enhancing studies in the natural sciences, from interactions with and caring for nature. Individual lives improved, and communities were made cleaner and more beautiful when:
· Nearly 100 families participated in 10 interactive Family Nature Workshops held at the local Forest Park, or on field trips to organic farms and picking up trash at our local drinking water reservoir on Earth Day. · We continued our Nature Warrior summer camp with 15 kids playing and learning immersed in an outdoor riverside camp. · We organized and taught a 10 lesson Wild Child environmental awareness preschool class modeled on the popular American program Project WILD, and by the end of the year, 9 more lessons were taught in cooperation with the Guiyang Waldorf Children’s Home, reaching nearly 20 pre-school aged children. · We organized and taught 10 lessons in natural sciences and conservation class called Trailblazers for 10 primary school-aged children. · We began a new project called Urban Farmer, where families planted organic vegetables in their neighborhood, started conscientious waste management through composting, and participated in workshops and community markets encouraging creative exchange of handmade products. |
This year we also maintained our relationship with Ludi Elementary School on Hongfeng Lake, reaching around 200 Guizhou primary school students and 30 international High School and College students, for water education and environmental protection activities and school capacity building by:
· Organizing a first-of-its-kind Water Festival, based on the model provided by Project WET and with the Eco-Civilization Foundation’s support. Students in grades 5 and 6 participated in a series of 5 water education activities to supplement their regular studies in math and sciences, focusing on the properties of water and water protection. These students also participated in gathering water test data to contribute to the World Water Monitoring Challenge. (NatureWize received an award for its participation in the Challenge in 2012). The entire school participated in picking up trash around the school and beside the lake. · In September Utahloy International High School sent 12 students for an annual service learning camp to learn about the water issues at Hongfeng Lake and to provide a service project at Ludi Elementary. After learning about the lake, the students spent one day interacting with the host students by teaching them Project WET lessons on water hygiene, cleanliness, and protection. The last two days were spent painting murals on the school wall reminding the host students about what they had learned. Funds from the International School also contributed a new sink for washing hands next to the bathrooms and 200 new desks and chairs. In December Lawrence University sent 15 college students to learn about the lake management issues and to participate in a 1-day service learning project, which resulted in interactive games, making tie-dye t-shirts and painting of two four-square courts and one colorful dragon hopscotch on the school’s playground. |