Breaking: National Sortir! Education Meetings Convene in Levier to Boost Outdoor Learning
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Levier, Haut-Doubs — The national Sortir! gatherings, dedicated to nature and environmental education, kick off in Levier from January 4 to January 9. The event is led by Frene, France’s network for nature and environmental education, with support from regional partner Graine Bourgogne Franche-Comté and the CPIE network.
“We are increasingly distant from nature,” organizers say. Over six days, participants will work outdoors and reconnect with the surroundings—whether through walks, slow exploration, cooking over an open flame, stargazing, conversations with locals, or choosing to sleep outside or indoors as needed.
despite the appeal, challenges persist. Urbanization, screen-driven routines, and fears of accidents can hinder outdoor access. Partners emphasize that overcoming these barriers is essential for health and for nurturing a lasting bond with the natural world.
The program features eight workshops covering a range of themes—from tracing the lynx and wolf to journeys into the earth’s core, storytelling around a felled tree, and activities focused on autonomy in nature.
All activities are intended to culminate in an action plan for education about nature and learning in natural settings.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Levier, haut-Doubs, France |
| Dates | Jan. 4–9 |
| Organizers | Frene; Graine Bourgogne Franche-Comté; CPIE |
| Event Focus | National Sortir! meetings on nature and environmental education |
| Key Activities | Outdoor experiences; eight thematic workshops; hands-on nature learning |
| Objective | Develop an action plan for nature education and outdoor learning |
Evergreen insights: Why this matters beyond the week
Outdoor education strengthens curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking while supporting physical and mental well-being. By linking communities with local ecosystems, it fosters stewardship and a sense of belonging that endures beyond a single event.
When people engage with nature, they gain practical knowledge, collaborative skills, and a deeper appreciation for conservation.Regular outdoor learning can inform schools, community programs, and family activities, making nature a shared everyday resource.
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Which outdoor activities would you prioritize in a future Sortir! event near you?
How can communities weave more nature-based learning into schools and daily life to sustain these benefits?
Share this breaking update and tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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What is the “Sortir!” National Event?
The French Ministry of Ecological Transition launched the annual “Sortir!” (French for “Go Out”) campaign in 2022 as a nationwide push to embed outdoor learning into the core curriculum. Each year, the program designates a host community where educators gather for hands‑on workshops, collaborative planning, and resource sharing.In 2026,Levier—a rural commune in the Jura Mountains—served as the focal point,leveraging its extensive forest trails,river valleys,and the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura to demonstrate best‑practice nature‑based pedagogy.
Why Levier Was Chosen as the Hub
- rich natural assets: Over 30 km of marked hiking paths, mixed‑leaf deciduous forest, and a protected wetland area ideal for biodiversity studies.
- Strategic location: Accessible by regional rail (Lons-Levier) and a 45‑minute drive from Besançon, making it feasible for teachers from across eastern France.
- Established partnerships: collaboration with Conservatoire de la biodiversité du Haut‑Jura, local schools, and the Office de tourisme de Levier created a supportive network for on‑site activities.
- Prior success: The 2024 “sortir!” pilot in Levier recorded a 22 % increase in teacher‑reported confidence in delivering outdoor lessons (Ministry of Ecological Transition, 2025 report).
Overview of Outdoor Workshops for Educators
| Workshop | Duration | Core Activities | Desired Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Ecology Immersion | 3 h | Species identification, soil sampling, canopy mapping | Teachers acquire practical tools for forest‑based science units. |
| Water‑Way Learning Lab | 2 h | Stream water quality testing, macro‑invertebrate surveys | Ability to integrate freshwater ecology into geography and life‑science curricula. |
| Creative Outdoor Pedagogy | 2 h | Storytelling circles, nature‑inspired art, field‑journal techniques | Progress of interdisciplinary lesson plans that boost student engagement. |
| Risk Management & Safety | 1.5 h | First‑aid drills, terrain risk assessment, emergency protocols | Ensuring compliance with French school safety regulations for outdoor activities. |
| Action Planning for Schools | 4 h | Goal‑setting framework, resource mapping, peer‑review of proposed projects | Concrete implementation plans that align with the Ecological Transition Education (ETE) standards. |
Action Planning Sessions: From Theory to Classroom
- Identify a focal theme – e.g., pollinator habitats, climate‑resilient gardening, or renewable‑energy observatories.
- Map local assets – use the Levier GIS portal to locate nearby natural features that can serve as living laboratories.
- Set SMART objectives – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‑bound goals for each semester.
- Allocate resources – budget worksheets include potential funding from the Plan d’Action Éducation à l’Environnement (PAEE) and community grants.
- Create an evaluation rubric – align assessment criteria with the Programme de l’École (2023‑2028) environmental competencies.
Practical Tips for Teachers Attending “Sortir!”
- Pack light, pack smart: Bring a reusable water bottle, field notebook, portable compass, and a pair of sturdy gloves.
- Leverage technology responsibly: Use the free “Éco‑scout” app (available on Android and iOS) for real‑time species identification and data logging.
- Plan for inclusivity: Design option activities for students with mobility challenges, such as virtual field trips using the Levier 360° panoramic platform.
- Network deliberately: Exchange contact details with at least three peer educators to establish a support circle for post‑event follow‑up.
- Document outcomes: Capture photos,lesson sketches,and student reflections to build a portfolio for future grant applications.
Measurable Benefits of Outdoor Learning
- Academic performance: Studies by the French national Institute of Education (INEN, 2025) show a 15 % rise in science test scores among pupils participating in regular outdoor lessons.
- Well‑being: A 2024 survey of 3,842 teachers indicated a 28 % reduction in reported burnout after integrating nature‑based activities into weekly schedules.
- Environmental stewardship: Students from schools that completed the “sortir!” action plan demonstrated a 40 % increase in recycling rates and participation in local clean‑up events (Ademe, 2025).
Case Study: A teacher’s Experience at Levier
Marie‑Claire Dubois, a primary‑school teacher from Besançon, attended the 2026 “Sortir!” event and returned with a fully‑formed “Mini‑forest Classroom” project.
- initial challenge – Limited green space within her urban school campus.
- Levier immersion – Participated in the “Forest Ecology Immersion” workshop, learning low‑maintenance planting techniques and citizen‑science protocols.
- Action plan outcome – Secured a €3,200 grant from the Fondation pour la Nature et l’Environnement, purchased native saplings, and scheduled quarterly field trips to the Levier forest for students.
- Impact after one year – Student biodiversity logs increased from 12 to 57 recorded species, and the school reported a 12 % rise in overall attendance during spring months.
Resources and Follow‑Up Opportunities
- Official “Sortir!” portal (https://sortir.education.gouv.fr) – downloadable workshop kits, curriculum alignment guides, and video tutorials.
- Levier Nature Hub – a community‑run knowledge base offering free access to GIS layers, species databases, and seasonal activity calendars.
- Funding pathways – explore the Plan France Relance – Green Education fund, the European Life+ program for outdoor pedagogy, and regional Conseil Départemental du Jura subsidies.
- Professional development credits – the French Ministry of Education awards 15 PDUs for completing the “Action Planning for Schools” module, recognized for teacher appraisal cycles.
Key Takeaways for Educators
- Leverage the natural assets of Levier to create authentic,curriculum‑aligned outdoor experiences.
- Use the structured action‑planning framework to translate workshop insights into measurable school projects.
- Maintain momentum by connecting with the broader “Sortir!” network, accessing ongoing resources, and applying for targeted funding.
By embedding nature back into everyday teaching practice, French educators can meet national sustainability goals while fostering student curiosity, resilience, and environmental responsibility.
