Giving Back 1%: Nature Is Us

The latest update in the series of charities that received a donation from PLEIN PUBLIQUE in 2024—and WHAT a gem! The mission of IVN Nature Education: to bridge the gap between people and nature, and thereby restore the awareness of just how fun, healthy, and important nature is. It’s a perspective we’ve gradually lost, and that’s painfully evident in the way we treat nature. Education has been chosen as the means to achieve this—not just for adults but also for children. Start young… you get the idea. IVN Nature Education ’s motto is a real eye-opener: “Nature is us.”

IT ALL STARTS WITH LOVE

This time, no self-written story about the motivation behind this approach. Because no one can explain it better than IVN Nature Education itself. Translated from the IVN Brand Manifesto:

“We sometimes forget about this.
But nature—that’s us. Connected by nature. One.
It used to be a given, but somewhere along the way, we took a wrong turn.
Toward a place where nature takes a back seat.
Where nature is spoken of as something that exists separately from us.

What if we came to realize once again that we are part of nature?
That we feel relaxed and happy when we experience this?
Then there would be room for a new connection between people and nature.
A connection in which we show more respect and love for nature—and, therefore, for ourselves.”

Underlying message: IT ALL STARTS WITH LOVE. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the most beautiful motivation ever ♥

ALL GOOD THINGS COME IN THREES

At IVN, learning opportunities aren’t limited to formal education; IVN also promotes “hands-on” and “getting out into nature” experience as ways to learn about and (re)discover the joy of nature. The three pillars of IVN in a nutshell:

1. LEARN ABOUT NATURE

The IVN Nature Academy offers the most diverse and locally focused selection of nature courses in the Netherlands. The offerings range from accessible short workshops to—for those who take nature seriously—online courses and a two-year program to become a Nature Guide. Pick your favourite! Because you’re never too old—or too young—to learn, and afterward, you’ll enjoy being outdoors even more.

2. GREEN ACTIVITIES

With “Groen om te doen” (Green things to do) IVN offers fun, hands-on tips for in and around the house. Fun and useful, not just for yourself but also for kids (ask Dad tonight about the birds and the bees ☺) Expect vegetable garden tips, recipes for elderflower syrup, or cooking with weeds (a slice of flatbread with ground ivy pesto, anyone?). Or grab a ready-to-plant kit full of native plants to make your garden burst with life. You’re growing, girl!

Do you like to think outside the box when it comes to your own garden? In 30 so-called “Healthy Neighborhoods” across the Netherlands, the Dutch foundations IVN Nature Education, Jantje Beton, and JOGG are collaborating with local residents—young and old alike—to create green spaces where children can play creatively, residents can meet one another, and everyone can get some exercise or relax. The grass is always greener on the other side!

3. LET’S GO OUTSIDE

Head out into nature, on your own or guided by an IVN nature guide: experience firsthand just how fun, healthy, and important nature is. Through 160 local chapters throughout the Netherlands, nature guides and enthusiastic IVN volunteers organize excursions, hikes, lectures, and other activities. There’s something for everyone: from short strolls—ideal for young children—to multi-day hikes for die-hard nature lovers. The IVN Routes app is your guide; you’ll spend the night and take breaks at participating IVN “Gastvrij in het Landschap” (Welcoming in the Landscape) businesses. Grab your backpack and go.

*While you're out and about, why not try one of those super-trendy Shinrin-yoku forest baths? It can keep your stress hormones at a lower level for up to 30 days. Want to read about those? Click here.

A BIG GREEN THANK YOU

As far as we’re concerned, IVN Nature Education is more than worthy of our support. Correction: YOUR support! With the purchases you made as a PLEIN PUBLIQUE fan in 2024, you’re directly contributing to a healthier natural world—something we all desperately need. WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!

The final word goes to IVN:
“We let you experience that nature isn’t a place you go to.
It’s a place where you come home.”

More info:
IVN Nature Education website