Our Expanding Scope Across UNEP, CBD, CSGP and Africa!

Five years ago, The Naturalist School (TNS) was founded with a singular vision: to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of our natural world by bringing out the naturalist in everyone. This month, as we are celebrating TNS’s 5th Anniversary, we are very excited to share with you all how that dream has expanded further than we ever imagined. What began as local naturalist training programs and community engagement has grown into an international movement bridging grassroots biodiversity conservation with global environmental policy.

As we reflect on half a decade of growth, we are thrilled to share major updates on our ongoing work on the world stage, recent recognitions, and an exciting leap into a new continent!

🌍 Looking Back: Building Momentum at UNEA-7, IYBC and IUCN

Our footprint on the international stage has been built step-by-step through dedicated advocacy, citizen science leadership, and youth empowerment:

• Championing Citizen Science at UNEA-7: We demonstrated how citizen science took center stage at UNEA-7, showing decision-makers how community-driven data can directly inform policy. Our key involvements included –
  • On-the-Ground Science: TNS co-organized the Nairobi Biodiversity Challenge, where delegates and citizens documented over 330 species in Nairobi during the assembly, proving that science happens everywhere, not just in laboratories.
  • Landmark Report: TNS served as a supporting organization for the official report on “Citizen Science and Climate Change Mitigation” launched at UNEA-7.
  • Bridging Science & Policy: Working closely with the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group, we advocated for citizen science charter and an inclusive science-policy interface where community data is valued alongside institutional research.
  • Policy Language Success: Our advocacy led to explicit recognition of citizen science in regional stakeholder statements across Asia-Pacific, North America, Africa, and West Asia, as well as influencing key resolutions on AI sustainability, wildfire management, and youth participation. Read more about our impact at UNEA-7 at this link.
• Empowering Youth at IYBC for KMGBF Contributions: Through the International Youth Biodiversity Coalition (IYBC), we co-led efforts launching the youth-led YBSAP and bridging the gap to the CBD COP, ensuring that the next generation of conservationists has a direct voice in shaping National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.
• Citizen Science for Conservation at IUCN: Other TNS’s key international initiatives include being the founding member of the IUCN Citizen Science Task Force and IUCN SSC’s Tiger Beetle Specialist Group.

🚀 Recent Milestones: Representation on the Board of Citizen Science Global Partnership (CSGP)

We are proud to share that Ram Dayal Vaishnav, Head of Operations at TNS, has been appointed as a member of the Managing Board of the Citizen Science Global Partnership (CSGP) as a representative of CitizenScience.Asia.

• What is CSGP? CSGP is a network linking regional citizen science associations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Africa to align community science with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The TNS Connection: Last year, TNS signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) becoming the official Biodiversity Partner of CitizenScience.Asia. Ram’s appointment to the CSGP board amplifies our collective voice, ensuring that Asian biodiversity perspectives shape global policy frameworks.

🔥 What’s Next: High-Level UN Policy & Our First Program in Africa!

Our 5th anniversary marks two massive milestones that connect high-level strategy with hands-on, community-level empowerment.

TNS Invited to UNEP’s 13th Annual Subcommittee Meeting (13ASC)

Ram Dayal Vaishnav has been invited by UNEP as a sponsored member of the Scientific and Technological Community Major Group to participate in the 13th Annual Subcommittee Meeting (13ASC) of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in Nairobi, Kenya.

The CPR oversees UNEP’s strategic agenda and multi-year work program. Participating in 13ASC serves as a critical bridge in our journey from UNEA-7 to UNEA-8, ensuring that citizen science, youth engagement, and biodiversity monitoring remain central to UNEP’s strategic roadmap over the coming years.

TNS Launches Its First-Ever Africa Program in Kenya! 🌍🦁

To mark half a decade of growth, we are beyond excited to announce TNS’s first community program on the African continent! In partnership with local NGO partner Wifoma, TNS will conduct an intensive eco-guide training program in Oyugis, Kenya. This practical, hands-on program is being conducted to equip trainees with market-ready skills to lead safe, engaging, and educational nature experiences for local Kenyan visitors, international tourists and government officials.

Half a Decade Down, The Whole Planet Ahead

Five years in, The Naturalist School is demonstrating that grassroots community action and global policy are inseparable. From community nature walks to the decision-making halls of the UN in Nairobi, we remain committed to empowering people to understand and protect our planet.

Thank you to our partners, supporters, alumni, and community members who have walked this 5-year journey alongside us. Here’s to the next chapter of citizen science and nature interpretation!

Get in touch with The Naturalist School team to learn more or collaborate on our upcoming global initiatives.