The Earth is our only home, and it holds so many wonders that humans have yet to discover. Scientific studies even claim that there’s more human knowledge about outer space than the life beneath the oceans. Marine experts say that even through centuries of research, only about 20 percent of ocean life has already been discovered.
In addition to that, Earth is the home of countless extraordinary creatures. Do you know that an armadillo’s armor is so strong that if you fire a gun at it, the bullet could ricochet back to you? Meanwhile, a crow’s memory is prodigious and can remember all the human faces it has seen throughout its life.
Sad to say, human activities have wrought great damage to the world. Wars have diminished the natural beauty and quality of life. Industrial development has altered the structural integrity of the Earth, leading to erosion, pollution, and landslides. Commercial activities have resulted in grave environmental concerns such as deforestation, flooding, and the extinction of certain types of wildlife and loss of natural resources.
To arrest the downward spiral of environmental conditions, countless movements have been organized to initiate changes. The goal is not only to put a halt to harmful human activities but also to cultivate a mindset and lifestyle of environmental responsibility.
Environmental Awareness Through Nature-Related Activities
Strengthening the movement has to be dynamic. Thus, instead of merely preaching about the importance of protecting the environment, it’s crucial to utilize a diverse set of unique strategies, too. One of these is through environmental tourism, which mainly comprises nature-related activities.
A leader in environmental tourism in the UAE is the organization called Connect with Nature. It regularly comes up with ecological awareness and conservation activities and challenges throughout the country.
Since it launched its operations, it has generated massive support from both locals and tourists. If you wish to contribute to the movement, here are five outdoor activities that promote environmental responsibility you can participate in.
1. Day trip to the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve
The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is a popular location among avid birdwatchers. Here, about 250 exotic and endemic bird species dominate the land and skies. But it’s not just these animals that you will see when you come to tour the five-square-kilometer reserve; other types of wildlife call it home as well.
For visitors, there are walking trails that provide a stunning view of the area, as well as chance encounters with local wildlife. There’s also a visitor center that is a repository of information regarding all the natural offerings of the reserve. You can even find out what your role is in preserving this nature destination and its inhabitants.
2. Kayaking adventure in the Eastern Mangrove National Park
Mangroves are amazing ecosystems that need to be protected. They serve as home to many living creatures, such as a diverse array of aquatic life and birds. Not only that, they protect shorelines from the impact of storms and floods. At the same time, they help maintain water quality by filtering pollutants.
If you’re in Abu Dhabi, you can learn more about their environmental significance and appreciate their beauty through a kayaking adventure.
Get a much-needed workout with a friend and observe the water quality around the mangroves, as well as the bustling life surrounding it. Also, marvel at how the river reflects the changing scenery as it flows out toward the ocean. Getting this close to the mangroves will surely inspire you to be their protector.
3. Snorkeling at Saadiyat Beach
Al Saadiyat is one of the top destinations for fun under the sun, but it’s not just a place for leisure activities. You can also get ecological education here through the island tour and activities in Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi. A snorkeling tour of the coral reefs here will enlighten you about the importance of protecting the beautiful marine life residing here. On top of that, it will likewise encourage you to help with the clean-up.
You will be provided with bags to collect any debris that can potentially harm dolphins, turtles and tropical fish that live here. This task is more important than ever with cases of marine animals getting entangled with and accidentally feeding on plastic and dying, reaching 100 million a year based on a study conducted by Plymouth University.
4. Biking in Hatta Mountain
Hatta Mountain is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, and it’s also a favorite destination for hikers and mountain bikers. The mountain presents a range of terrains to challenge avid cyclists. Plus, it’s also the home of numerous rock pools with crystalline waters.
Coming here will make you appreciate the different natural scenery in the area. Additionally, it can grow your sense of accountability in protecting its unique beauty, and deep appreciation for how it’s a highly accessible retreat for city folks who want to commune with nature.
5. Hunting for nurdles
Nurdle hunting is a popular beach activity these days. It is carried out in a lot of countries, namely the UK, Australia, the Philippines, and other nations with sandy shorelines. It can be a back-breaking activity, but with the creative program established by environmental groups, it’s become a fun way to gather like-minded people to tidy up beaches.
Collecting nurdles is a vital environmental preservation activity. These little pellets of plastic that end up in waterways or oceans cause more harm than people know. They attract contaminants called persistent bioaccumulating toxins (PBTs), which can kill off marine creatures and birds that somehow make their way to family dining tables, and eventually make people sick as well. PBTs have been linked to neurological disorders, reproductive problems, cancer, and genetic illnesses.
Taking Care of the Environment Can Be Fun for Everyone
Humans are stewards of the Earth, and as simple as the task of stewardship seems, it’s a responsibility that can be difficult to uphold. It requires discipline and consistent action. And when your having some downtime you can also enjoy a low impact option like หวยออนไลน์ as well for some fun.
Therefore, it truly helps when there are programs that are designed to make being a steward of the Earth fun and memorable. With the fun element in place, environmental responsibility can become a habit more easily adopted by everyone.
AUTHOR BIO
Rasha El Saleh is the Conservation Education and Outreach Coordinator in the education team of Emirates Nature-WWF working on its programme, Connect with Nature. She leads the outreach and youth empowerment aspect in growing the Connect with Nature community within the UAE and providing opportunities for youth to lead in this community, in addition to supporting partnerships with vendors supporting and promoting active aspects of the programme.