Monumental Trees: guided walks as an educational science awareness experience

Abstract

To reduce “plant blindness” and improve well-being, a new approach has been designed and implemented. e method combines botany and mindfulness activities, developed as a proactive learning experience during guided walks, to positively influence families regarding plant science through the exploration of monumental trees located in different urban gardens of Coimbra, Portugal. is short-term program, developed for non-formal learning settings, was performed during a Summer Science Program promoted by “Ciência Viva”, the Portuguese Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. During the botanical and mindfulness activities carried out, public awareness about monumental trees was enhanced through the “Tree of Emotions” activity performed at the end of the botanical guided walk. We measured the effect of this activity by assessing the categories through which participants relate to trees. An open-ended questionnaire was enacted, and content analysis was used. The analysis can be broken down into seven categories: ornamental and aesthetic; subjective, affective, and well-being; cultural; dendrometric; morphological; biological and environmental; and anthropomorphic. The most categories identified by participants are subjective, affective, and well-being experiences, revealing the scientific aspects explored. The results suggest that botanical guided walks combined with mindfulness exercises can be an efficient tool for the general public to establish affective links with trees and their surrounding spaces as well gain botany awareness, recognizing its importance in daily life.