Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Emirates Nature-WWF Celebrate 5 Years of Connect with Nature

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Emirates Nature-WWF are celebrating the five-year anniversary of their joint initiative, the Connect with Nature programme, which is marking a significant milestone in the UAE's Year of Sustainability. The program, launched in 2019, aims to connect the youth of the UAE with nature and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to build a sustainable future.

Over the past five years, the programme has made a tremendous impact, engaging more than 14,000 young people across the country through over 250 online and in-person events. The programme’s success has surpassed expectations, bringing together youth from all walks of life to explore the region's rich natural landscapes, including wadis, deserts, wetlands, and coastal lagoons, while learning about the diverse plant and animal species found in these environments.

Through expert-led excursions, participants have gained hands-on experience and a deeper connection with nature. Events like the Kayak 4 Mangroves initiative and Turtle Patrol on Saadiyat Island have become central to the programme, fostering environmental awareness among youth while encouraging them to protect these valuable ecosystems.

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As part of its efforts to engage youth in the science of conservation, Connect with Nature introduced immersive nature-themed escape rooms, both virtual and physical. These interactive experiences challenged participants to solve environmental problems while learning about critical conservation issues. The escape rooms, including the Desert Survival and Mangrove Edition, have attracted over 6,000 participants at high-profile events such as the Youth 4 Sustainability Hub at the World Future Energy Summit, the Dubai Fitness Challenge, Al Hosn Festival, and the Al Quoz Arts Festival. The Mangrove Edition escape room continues to tour the UAE, further driving environmental awareness and action in the Year of Sustainability.

A standout achievement of the programme has been the Reimagine Youth Circles, a virtual platform that brought together nearly 2,000 young people with high-level decision-makers, including UAE Ministers of State, business leaders, and industry experts. These discussions allowed youth to reimagine the future of life and nature post-pandemic. Many of the participants have gone on to pursue careers in public policy and conservation, with some even being recognized as Ambassadors for Nature.

The UAE Ambassadors for Nature initiative has played a key role in empowering young leaders by providing them with mentorship and leadership training. This initiative has already selected two cohorts, with 30 young leaders actively contributing to community events and representing the UAE at global forums such as the COP climate summits, the Food for Future Summit, and Stockholm+50. These ambassadors are helping shape the global discourse on climate change and nature conservation.

Citizen science has also become a central component of Connect with Nature, with youth actively participating in environmental research. Together, they have collected over 13,500 data points on biodiversity and waste management, removed more than 2,500 kilograms of litter from the environment, and cataloged over 12,000 pieces of waste. The programme has made a measurable impact, with a survey showing that 94% of participants are now more committed to nature conservation and would recommend Connect with Nature to others.

Looking ahead, the next five years of the programme aim to amplify its conservation impact by further engaging the community and placing greater emphasis on citizen science. Field trips will continue to play an important role, with new leadership opportunities for youth to further drive sustainability efforts. The goal is to build a movement of young change-makers who are equipped to lead and advocate for a sustainable future.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, expressed her pride in the programme's success, saying, “We are thrilled to celebrate the five-year milestone of Connect with Nature, which has become a powerful force for environmental stewardship. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. We are especially grateful to the youth whose passion and creativity have been at the heart of this initiative.”

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, also praised the programme’s growth: “Over the past five years, Connect with Nature has not only deepened our connection with the natural world but has empowered individuals and communities to forge lasting bonds with nature. A heartfelt thank you to all those involved in making this journey a success, especially the youth role models whose enthusiasm and dedication are inspiring positive change for a brighter, sustainable future.”

To celebrate the programme’s five-year anniversary, a special event will be held at Gracia Farm, Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi, on 23 October 2024. To mark the occasion, attendees will come together to celebrate the achievements of the past five years while looking ahead to the future of sustainability and environmental action in the UAE.

For more information and to register for the anniversary celebration, visit the Connect with Nature website.