Stewardship of Creation — Level I
Certificate of Qualification in the Stewardship of Creation. Active environmental education, citizen science and biodiversity monitoring.
Learning to care begins with learning to see.
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The educational proposal
Learning to care begins with learning to see.
A territory is not made up only of its monuments, landscapes or human activities. It is also a living community of species, habitats and natural balances that we often pass through without truly knowing them.
The Level I Certificate of Qualification in the Stewardship of Creation was created to transform sensitivity towards nature into knowledge, responsible observation and concrete participation in the protection of biodiversity.
Participants are guided to observe the territory, use contemporary citizen-science tools, document correctly what they encounter and understand the limits and responsibilities of voluntary activity in natural environments.
What you will learn
Naturalistic monitoring
Observe and describe habitats and species, collect data and complete field sheets.
Citizen science and iNaturalist
Document observations, geolocate them, propose identifications and contribute to shared knowledge.
Natura 2000 Network
Gain an introductory understanding of the European protection system and appropriate conduct in protected areas.
Responsibility of the Steward
Distinguish civic observation from specialist activity while respecting rules, professional limits and the principle of non-disturbance of wildlife.
A pathway that leads into the territory
The programme includes 16 hours online, divided into four 4-hour modules, followed by a final practical in-person assessment. The indicative total educational duration is 22 hours.
The first sessions provide fundamental knowledge of naturalistic monitoring, digital tools, field observation, environmental legal protection and the Natura 2000 Network. The fourth session directly prepares participants for the final assessment.
The final assessment: an experience of Stewardship of Creation
The pathway culminates in a practical day organised in a suitable natural area of the Florentine and Prato Plain. Candidates, divided into small groups, take part in guided naturalistic observation, complete field sheets, use iNaturalist and participate in tests and a practical assessment.
The aim is not to reward those who simply manage to find more species. It is to verify that each candidate can observe correctly, respect the environment, use the available tools and behave responsibly within a natural site.
The final test verifies method, care and responsibility — not a race to collect observations.
Who it is for
The course is open to Dames and Knights of the Order of Saint Stephen P.M., aspirants, volunteers, citizens interested in biodiversity protection and people interested in collaborating with future environmental projects of the Medici Humanistic Villages.
It is introductory and does not require previous naturalistic qualifications. Participants must be able to take an active part in exercises, use a smartphone and install the iNaturalist app.
The Level I Certificate does not authorise participants to carry out autonomous specialist naturalistic surveys or activities reserved by law to qualified professionals.
Enrolment and programme
The enrolment page collects the information required to request participation. Final confirmation of the schedule, fee, availability and organisational arrangements is communicated by the course Secretariat.
KNOW • OBSERVE • UNDERSTAND • CARE