A balancing act, seeing the value in time spent in nature
It takes discipline and planning to achieve work life balance as a Local Landcare Coordinator and as a land caring volunteer. Achieving work life balance can be a tricky act unless you keep an eye on it. As a Local Landcare Coordinator there are always lots of outdoor activities, though these activities require planning and reporting. The big issue may be balancing the time you spend in each activity? Two ideas are Nature journalling and Bush breathing, based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which literally translates to “forest bathing” and may be incorporated into most workplans.
Capacity building - LEP23-021-19
The issue
As most landcare coordinators are passionate about what they do there is always the temptation to let work overflow into your private life. Many Landcare activities are not possible within standard working hours, as the role requires working when volunteers are available. Sometimes you need to step away from a task to see where there could be improvements or opportunities to continue in another way. Integrating some time out together with our ever-ready volunteers, enables you to sit back and acknowledge the successes and ensure you are all heading toward a sustainable goal.
The solution
Utilising sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste (be careful here – make sure fauna/flora have been expertly identified), while slowly and silently experiencing nature. Nature journalling is a way to connect with nature and each other through art. With ‘no rules or experience necessary’ participants choose how to record their individual experience; drawing the detail in a banksia cone, describing a landscape, or writing poetry. Practicing shinrin-yoku means spending time in nature and mindfully engaging within a forest atmosphere or other natural environments. Experiencing walking at a slow and gentle pace, without carrying any electronics, and taking the time to soak up the surrounding nature.
The impact
By looking after ourselves and our volunteers we show that we are valued. Word-of-mouth recruitment remains one of the most successful volunteer recruitment methods, so ensuring a positive environment is vital. Many participants at the recent Community Conservation Conversation Camp at Kinchega expressed the importance of the natural environment and opportunities to take time out in the National Park to process. Post camp evaluations have seen an increased understanding in Western Landcare’s direction and future plans, also offers of increased volunteer involvement at many levels.
Key facts
- Planning for down time in workplans will reduce burn out and sustain momentum
- Benefits of Bush breathing and Nature journalling include; feeling more centred, calm, and connected. Also, a chance to be social, to listen, connect with each other, and to observe and be part of the natural world.