The Species ABC: Discovering and Identifying Native Biodiversity

Biodiversity sustains the foundation of life. There are numerous ecological, economic, social, cultural, and ethical reasons to preserve it. To describe, study, document, and protect biodiversity, we need expertise that is acquired over many years. Fostering people’s connection to their natural environment and ensuring that enough species experts are trained in Switzerland in the future, requires that children already encounter opportunities in school to identify species in their habitats. Education plays a key role in raising awareness among young people about the value of nature – animal by animal, mushroom by mushroom, plant by plant, name by name. Species knowledge is thus an essential component of basic education.

A new educational programme for schools in Bern aims to provide children access to species knowledge and to support teachers in their teachings. The project « The Species ABC: Discovering and Identifying Native Biodiversity» is currently being developed in collaboration with eleven organisations in and around Bern that provide biodiversity-related educational activities for schools. The Species ABC is designed to help teachers introduce children to careful observation and species identification in a playful yet scientifically grounded way.

The Species ABC consists of seven species boxes covering the following organismic groups: trees, shrubs and plants; fungi and lichens; insects, spiders and other invertebrates; amphibians and reptiles; fish; birds; and mammals. All boxes follow a consistent structure and contain materials that enable species identification based on visible characteristics of selected species. These include information on species cards, identification keys, habitat posters, and games related to species recognition and observation. Each box also provides ready-to-use teaching units.

Once completed, the species boxes can be lented centrally and be used independently by teachers in their schools. In addition, teachers can book extracurricular activities offered by the partner organisations, enabling children to deepen their knowledge and experience species in their natural habitats.