Stories that inspire
Groupe uni des éducateurs-naturalistes et professionnels en environnement (GUEPE)
The mission taken on by the Groupe uni des éducateurs-naturalistes et professionnels en environnement is simple. It is to offer the public, and young people in particular, educational and professional services in the natural sciences and the environment. With an emphasis on outdoor activity, GUEPE’s committed team is empowering and raising awareness among individuals and groups. It gives them the tools to make choices that are respectful of the environment.
Since 2019, the Foundation of Greater Montréal has supported the organization’s flagship project, “Apprendre, c’est dans notre nature (Learning is in our nature)”. It is aimed at primary school students. Teachers are now more inclined to see nature and “outside” as places where learning can happen. On the other hand, resources available for outdoor teaching are often fairly limited. With that in mind, GUEPE organizes activities near school premises. Teachers can then use them as a jumping-off point for engaging in learning outside classroom walls. Accompanied by a naturalist educator, students make a basic inventory of the biodiversity around them. Using scientific equipment, this process then allow them to propose some simple solutions for the protection of the surrounding environment.
Involving youth to protect biodiversity
An in-class follow-up activity is also provided, so that students can continue the learning process. They can also submit ideas for projects to their teachers. GUEPE’s activities place students at the heart of the action. Be it in making the inventory, or in creating their proposals for a healthier environment, enhancing biodiversity or sparking their classmates’ interest in the natural sciences, they are involved in every step.
This endeavour also connects with several of the priority targets of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 4, Quality Education. GUEPE offers children stimulating pursuits that develop their interest in the sciences and foster academic success, while simultaneously taking place in a healthy environment. Long live the Groupe uni des éducateurs-naturalistes et professionnels en environnement!