The sixth extinction wave in world history, started by us humans, is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. Species are now disappearing from the world hundreds or thousands of times faster than they would without our influence. Why are we humans so reluctant to tackle the problem? Why is stopping the extinction wave not at the forefront of our values? Why do much more trivial problems capture the headlines? At least in part, the challenge seems to centre on the fact that for most of us, nature and its fate are so distant and so far removed from our everyday experiences.

The most famous quote in conservation biology, from the Senegalese Baba Dioumi, goes like this: “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”. It is difficult to motivate someone to protect something that they don’t even know exists. Perhaps it is even more difficult to build some kind of personal bond with one, and to cultivate empathy for one.

The exploration patrol is a forest expedition led by a conservation biologist, environmental philosopher and an artist for us to look for, talk about, touch, smell and reflect on how common and rare species are changing the way we think about them. The audience will be involved in discussions and admire the biography together.

The excursion starts on 4 July at 14:00 from the bottom of the Ylistönrinte grove nature reserve, at the edge of Survonti road, where the stairs from the Alban Bridge come up. You can also start walking from the front of the Lähde building towards the hiking site at 13.30. The walk ends at 16:00. The terrain is quite difficult, so the hike is not suitable for people with limited mobility. There is no weather reservation. There are a limited number of places available. Please register for the hike via this link.

• Sami Keto

  Sami Keto is an educationalist who has written about empathy towards other species.

• Lyyti

  Lyyti is a musician whose songs recognise the need to change the rules and ways of being in our society.