Champions for Nature
Challenge

Nature is not just a place we visit; it is our home. It’s like a big playground where everyone can explore, learn, discover different cultures and grow spiritually. Within its many ecosystems, we coexist with countless other species, forming a delicate web of life where everyone benefits. All species depend on each other for mutual support and survival.

That is why it is our responsibility to take care of our home and all its inhabitants. By nurturing and preserving nature, we can protect the Earth’s resources and improve our relationship with the natural world.

The Champions for Nature Challenge takes young people on an educational journey that encourages them to understand nature and its biodiversity, and acquire sustainable habits. They will be able to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to a global youth movement for environmental action.

Through the different activities, young people will be able to connect with nature, adopt sustainable lifestyles and implement a community service project, through which they can take concrete actions for our planet and become active global citizens.

As a final step in the challenge, a community service project must be implemented by the young people applying for the badge. Creating a service project is main goal of the challenge, where young people can put the knowledge and skills they gained into practice, leaving a positive imprint on the community.

The learning objectives of each challenge are designed to not only educate and inspire but also empower individuals. They are structured to guide participants through a personalized journey, tailored to their age, ensuring that their knowledge evolves from one activity or project to the next. This approach builds competencies for sustainable development, and empowers young people to lead positive change.

The Champions for Nature challenge takes young people on the learning path of either “Nature and Biodiversity” or “Better choices.” Based on the path they choose to follow, they will progress through three main milestones: 

• Be Aware of the world around them and key environmental issues.
• Cooperate with others to find solutions to protect ecosystems, biodiversity and outdoor spaces.
• Act to implement green practices to help save the planet.

Young people may combine the Champions for Nature challenge with other challenges that are environment-focused, to complement their journey through the Earth Tribe.

For a young person to earn their Champions for Nature badge, they must follow the below process with the support of their adult Leader.

To begin each challenge, young people will first undergo a self-assessment to evaluate their current level of knowledge and awareness regarding the learning paths associated with the challenge.

Upon completion of all the activities and the community project of a challenge, the young person will become member of the Earth Tribe and recognised as a global citizen for the environment. They will receive the Earth Tribe pin and challenge badge.

Both young people and adults can explore various combinations, suited for each individual's interests, drawing from other existing environmental initiatives within the NSO.

This challenge is symbolised by an iconic and charismatic black and white animal: the Panda. Pandas were classified as endangered species for a long time, and is used as a symbol of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) since its inception in 1961. In 2016, the Panda was reclassified as a vulnerable species and continues to be a world symbol for species conservation.