Prairie restoration is a way to help fix prairie lands that were damaged because of things like farming, building homes, or other human activities. The main goal is to bring these areas and their ecosystems back to how they looked before they were harmed. In the United States, after the Black Hawk War ended in the mid-1830s, people from northern Europe and the northeastern part of the U.S.
Ecological restoration, or ecosystem restoration, is the process of helping ecosystems recover when they have been harmed, damaged, destroyed, or changed. It is different from conservation because it focuses on fixing ecosystems that are already damaged, instead of trying to stop damage before it happens. Ecological restoration can help reduce the loss of plant and animal species, fight climate change, support the natural services that ecosystems provide, and help local communities.
Ecological restoration, or ecosystem restoration, is the process of helping ecosystems that have been harmed, damaged, destroyed, or changed return to a healthier state. It is different from conservation because it focuses on fixing ecosystems that are already damaged, rather than preventing damage before it happens. Ecological restoration can help reduce the loss of plant and animal species, fight climate change, support the benefits that ecosystems provide to people, and help local communities.
Nature-based solutions (or nature-based systems, abbreviated as NBS or NbS) are methods that use natural ecosystems and natural processes to solve social and environmental problems. These problems include reducing the effects of climate change, ensuring access to clean water and food, and reducing the risk of natural disasters. The goal is for strong and healthy ecosystems—whether natural, managed, or created—to provide benefits for people and protect biodiversity.
Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy, grounding, or earthing, is a method that uses time in nature to help improve mental or physical health. Different forms of nature therapy include forest therapy, forest bathing, shinrin-yoku, and Sami Lok. Being in nature can help the body relax and reduce stress.
Forest school is a way of teaching that takes place outdoors in natural areas. Students go to these places to learn important life skills, such as how to work with others, solve problems, and build confidence. It is described as a method that helps children, teenagers, and adults grow by learning through hands-on activities in a forest setting.
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder is a book written by Richard Louv in 2005. It discusses how children in the United States are spending less time outdoors and how this lack of time in nature, called “nature-deficit disorder,” can affect children and society. The author also explains ways to address the problems he describes.
Outdoor education is planned learning that happens outside, such as during school camping trips. These programs may include overnight trips or long trips in nature, where students take part in different exciting activities like hiking, climbing, canoeing, ropes courses, and group games. Outdoor education uses ideas and methods from experiential education and environmental education.
Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science, also called APES, AP Enviro, AP Environmental, AP Environment, or AP EnviroSci, is a course and exam provided by the American College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students who are interested in environmental and natural sciences. This course was first offered during the 1997–1998 school year.
Environmental education (EE) is about teaching how natural environments work and how people can act in ways that help the environment and allow humans to live in balance with nature. It includes many subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, math, and geography. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says EE is important for helping people learn to care for nature and understand environmental issues.