Environmental School of the Order of Saint Stephen
Progressive training in active environmental stewardship
Five Chivalric Environmental Certificates, from direct knowledge of biodiversity to the direction and representation of ecological programmes.
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Identity of the School
The Environmental School of the Order of Saint Stephen operates under the aegis and patronage of the Medici Environmental Corps of the Order of Saint Stephen P.M., formerly the Institute of the Order’s Carovana.
The School develops a progressive pathway of education in active environmental stewardship, accompanying participants from direct observation and knowledge of biodiversity to an understanding of territorial protection systems, the direction of ecological programmes and high-level environmental representation.
The pathway of the five Chivalric Environmental Certificates
Level I — Stewardship of Creation
Ecological spirituality, nature observation, biodiversity monitoring and use of the iNaturalist platform.
Level II — Territorial Protection
Natura 2000 Network and civic monitoring.
Level III — Protection of Territorial Identity
Integrated ecology and territorial culture.
Level IV — Direction of Ecological Programmes
Leadership and environmental governance.
Level V — Integral Stewardship of Creation
High-level environmental representation and ecological diplomacy.
Level I — Stewardship of Creation
Level I already has a complete programme: 16 hours of online training, divided into four modules, followed by a final practical in-person test, for an indicative total educational duration of 22 hours.
The pathway combines ecological spirituality, citizen science, naturalistic monitoring, iNaturalist, the Natura 2000 Network, responsible conduct in protected areas and a final field assessment.
Levels II–V: progressive development
The detailed programmes for the subsequent levels have not yet been formally developed. They will be prepared by the Academy and the Environmental School when appropriate teaching conditions, qualified instructors, partners, territorial activities and genuine educational needs consistent with each level exist.
Relationship with the Academy and the Districts
The Environmental School is a specialist pathway distinct from the short courses for managing Missions and Districts and from the 180-hour Master. Its activities may nevertheless become a concrete form of service in the Villages and Districts by contributing to knowledge, protection and monitoring of the natural heritage.
The School’s educational and citizen-science activities do not confer public enforcement powers and do not replace the responsibilities of legally competent authorities or qualified professionals.
Environmental School of the Order of Saint Stephen P.M.