Bridging Worlds: Decolonising Nature-Based Solutions Education

This essay embarks on a transformative journey, exploring the integration of decolonial approaches into Nature-based Solutions (NbS) professional education. It delves into the rich tapestry of indigenous, local, and marginalized knowledge systems, challenging the colonial underpinnings that have shaped our interactions with nature. Inspired by the teachings of Antonio Bispo dos Santos and other black and indigenous decolonial activists, it calls for a revaluation of NbS education, urging a shift towards a philosophy of “buen vivir” — living well together in a community that includes the Earth and all its beings. This text sets the stage for a profound transformation in NbS education, advocating for justice and acknowledging the historical injustices that underpin our current relationship with the natural world.