Learning from plants: water strategies in a changing climate

Climate change is already having a noticeable impact on the water balance in Germany and is reflected in increasing water shortages, among other things. The ESD project in the Ecological-Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth (ÖBG) uses the evolutionarily developed "inventiveness" of plants from dry and warm climate zones to adapt to water shortages as a starting point for deriving strategies and options for action for us humans. The environmental education measure was developed in 2022 as part of the Bavarian Climate Research Network (bayklif) in the AquaKlif research project together with the ÖBG. There are indeed synergies here: findings from the research are incorporated into the educational project and thus reach additional target groups. Implementation will be funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection in 2022/23 as part of the intensification of environmental education. Initially designed for pupils from the 9th/10th grades, it has since been methodically adapted for 5th grades up to FOS/BOS school classes.

If the group has booked the complete module, the next step is free work in small groups - the aim is to find out more about the topics of storing and using water wisely, future greenery for cities and gardens and water-sensitive nutrition in a limited amount of time. The groups are given prepared material boxes and the task of preparing their findings as a stand for a "future conference". The participants take on the role of various stakeholders from the municipality, infrastructure facilities, green professions, leisure and education. The change in perspective means that the topics presented are not discussed one-dimensionally, but in a networked way from different perspectives and interests, as the roles are linked to certain values in terms of economic efficiency, environmental protection, ethics and politics. In the final round, a link is made to the strategies developed at the beginning, the complexity of controversial interests is reflected upon and the participants' own co-responsibility and options for action in various areas of life are weighed up and assessed. The participants take away ideas for their own lives: How could we collect and store water? Where could rainwater seep away instead of running off? Where can I save (drinking) water locally? How can I reduce my "water footprint"?

The educational module is being scientifically evaluated within the bayklif research network by the Didactics of Geography department at FAU. The results so far show positive evaluations of the workshop - it is well received that the participants were allowed to work on something themselves, explain it and conduct research in the ÖBG. According to self-assessment, the educational project not only contributes significantly to the acquisition of knowledge, but also increases the participants' sense of self-efficacy and involvement. It is therefore entirely in line with sustainable development and UBT's sustainability strategy if research and educational institutions network more frequently as cooperation partners in future.

The project will continue in 2024 and can be booked as a whole morning or in modules. Bookings for school classes and other groups are welcome and can be made at the ÖBG by calling 0921 / 55-2961 or sending an email to obg@uni-bayreuth.de. Further information on the project can be found at www.obg.uni-bayreuth.de or www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/aquaklif