Learning
Place-based learning involves people learning in, about and through place.
No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.
David Attenborough
In 2022, Burrenbeo Trust launched Heritage Keepers, a free programme for schools, youth groups or communities that will enable them to explore the built, natural, and cultural heritage of their local place and then plan an action or actions to enhance their place. 20 schools and communities took part in the programme, with most going on to complete a local project or actions. These funded actions included pond building, local heritage trails, signage for biodiversity, oral history projects and local heritage booklets. In 2023, 45 schools and communities are engaged in the Heritage Keepers programme.
Learn more about Heritage Keepers
Learn more about our placed-based learning & education programme for:
Young children Teenagers Adult and Community groups Universities Groups with disabilities
Find out more about our place-based learning:
The Burren is the ultimate learning landscape – a place that people can connect to and can also use the models used here to connect to other landscapes. Developed after 10 years of experience, Burrenbeo Trust deliver a series of programmes engaging people with the natural, built and cultural heritage of their area. These programmes allow participants to experience and connect to their place. The programmes fall under the category of place-based learning – where people learn in, about and through place.
Place-based learning offers major physical and mental health benefits to participants, giving them a greater understanding and appreciation of their local area. It contributes to ‘pride of place’ among communities and emphasises the role that each one of us can play in supporting the rich local (and global) ecosystem of which we are part. Place based learning also opens minds to creative thinking and expression, offering long term benefits to learners.
Ultimately the sustainable future of our places is dependent on people that understand, care about and value them. Learning about place is possible in formal settings such as primary, secondary and third level institutions but can also play a role in adult, disability and lifelong learning programmes.