"On the Trail of Nature" – An Educational Outdoor Game Connecting People with Nature and Supporting Biodiversity

Przyroda bez granic. Ochrona terenów pokopalnianych poprzez edukację społeczną i rewitalizację terenu.

As part of the Quarry Life Award project implemented at the “Ruda” Mineral Resource Quarry in Budziska (Heidelberg Materials Poland), we developed an interactive educational outdoor game titled “On the Trail of Nature”. Its primary goal is to promote social engagement and raise ecological awareness in the context of post-mining land reclamation.

This initiative serves both educational and ecological purposes – designed for a wide range of age groups. So far, participants aged 29 to 75, including seniors from Sosnowiec, have taken part in the experience.

Why Does This Trail Matter?

Field-Based Environmental Education

The route includes six educational stations, each equipped with songposts (wooden posts with information boards) and QR codes that provide access to multimedia materials for deeper exploration of each topic.
Participants not only learn about specific revitalization efforts but also witness their results firsthand – both in terms of landscape transformation and ecological impact.

Strengthening Biodiversity

Each element of the trail is grounded in real-life practices aimed at supporting local habitats:

  • Tern nesting platforms increase the breeding success of protected bird species,
  • Root stumps and compost mounds provide microhabitats for insects, amphibians, and small mammals,
  • Willow cuttings (live stakes) accelerate plant succession and create suitable conditions for birds and pollinating insects,
  • Insect hotels help boost pollinator populations – essential to ecosystem function,
  • Charcoal kilns (mielerze) recall traditional resource management methods and encourage reflection on modern alternatives.

Nature-Based Solutions

The trail demonstrates that thoughtful reclamation is about creating the conditions for ecosystems to regenerate – in collaboration with the local community.
We show that reconnecting people with nature is not only possible but necessary.
“On the Trail of Nature” is more than just a game – it is an interdisciplinary tool that blends environmental education, nature conservation, and community activation.

At each station, participants complete tasks, analyze natural processes, explore species conservation strategies, and learn about shared responsibility for the environment.

Interacting with living nature in a place that was once industrially exploited has a transformative impact. It proves that sustainable development is only achievable when humans work with nature, not against it.

Innovative Approach: QR Codes and Digital Engagement

All trail stations are enriched with QR codes linking to entries on the QLA6 website and the blog Nature for Sosnowiec. These provide access to photos and descriptions of reclamation and biological processes.
This digital integration ensures the trail remains active even outside the game – transforming it into a platform for knowledge exchange and inspiration for further ecological actions.

Through “On the Trail of Nature”, we aim to show that environmental knowledge can be accessible to everyone. All it takes is curiosity, openness, and a desire to be closer to nature.

Thanks to this initiative, the local community can observe how post-mining landscapes evolve and regenerate.