Aula Verde: Where Art Meets Science to Grow Climate Justice
When a circle of trees becomes a classroom without walls, a new model of environmental education takes root.
In the heart of Rome, within the Villa dell'Aniene Nature Reserve, a unique classroom thrives. It has no desks, no blackboards, and its walls are made of living trees. This is Aula Verde—Italian for "Green Classroom"—a powerful experiment in community-based environmental education where the boundaries between art, science, and social action blur. Born from a collaboration between forest ecologists and visual artist Andrea Conte, Aula Verde is more than a garden; it is a land-art installation designed as a conscious act of climate justice and a radical reimagining of how we learn about our planet 4 6 .
This initiative represents a significant shift in environmental education. It moves beyond traditional classroom lectures, embracing instead a philosophy that "all education is environmental education" 1 . By integrating participatory art, citizen science, and political ecology, Aula Verde creates a space where knowledge is not just absorbed but experienced, fostering a profound sense of belonging to the ecosystem and empowering communities to take action 4 .
Art Integration
Using land-art and participatory installations to create emotional connections to nature.
Scientific Approach
Applying ecological principles and data analysis to measure environmental impact.
Community Focus
Engaging local residents in co-creation and citizen science activities.
The Roots of a New Idea: Beyond Nature vs. Culture
The theoretical foundation of Aula Verde challenges a centuries-old paradigm. It rejects the Western dichotomy that separates "nature" from "culture," a division that has often justified the exploitation of natural resources 4 . Instead, the project is built on a more-than-human perspective, which considers a complex collective of human and non-human entities coexisting and evolving together 4 6 .
This ecocentric design philosophy is central to its mission. The goal is not just to teach people about trees, but to foster "kinships" and "interspecies mutualism," creating a model for urban living that responds to anthropocentrism and the climate crisis 4 6 . In this way, Aula Verde aligns with a broader, evolving definition of environmental education aimed at cultivating citizens who are not only knowledgeable but also concerned and capable of implementing solutions 1 .
Traditional Paradigm
- Nature vs. Culture dichotomy
- Human-centered perspective
- Resource exploitation mindset
- Classroom-based learning
Aula Verde Approach
- More-than-human perspective
- Ecocentric design
- Interspecies mutualism
- Experiential, place-based learning
A Closer Look: The Aula Verde Aniene Experiment
The first Aula Verde in Rome serves as a powerful case study of this theory in action. The project transformed a space in a public park into a land-art piece that is both a functional ecosystem and a social hub.
Methodology: A Blueprint for Collective Creation
Conceptual Design & Species Selection
Scientists from the National Research Council's Institute for Terrestrial Ecosystems (CNR-IRET) worked with artist Andrea Conte to design the installation. They selected tree species—willows and white poplars—not for aesthetics alone, but for their ecological functions. These species are particularly adept at moving large volumes of water, making them ideal for managing floodwater from the nearby Aniene River 6 .
Participatory Installation
The Aula Verde was not built by a distant contractor. The tree stand was arranged in concentric circles by a group of citizens and the local association "Insieme per l'Aniene," creating an outdoor "vegetated room" through a collective, hands-on process 6 .
Integration of Art & Science Activities
The physical space became a stage for ongoing activities designed to blend disciplines:
Ecosystem Service Assessment
Researchers employed a two-pronged approach to measure the project's impact:
- Quantitative Analysis: Using i-Tree Eco software, a standard tool in urban forestry, to calculate the regulating services provided by the trees, such as carbon sequestration and air pollutant removal 4 6 .
- Qualitative Surveys: Conducting citizens' surveys to gauge the non-material, cultural ecosystem services, such as the sense of peace, aesthetic appreciation, and social well-being derived from the space 4 .
Results and Analysis: Quantifying the Benefits
The data collected from the Aula Verde Aniene project reveals its multi-layered success, offering tangible proof of its environmental and social value.
The quantitative assessment, using i-Tree Eco software, projected the significant environmental benefits the trees will provide at maturity. The following table summarizes the key regulating ecosystem services quantified for the Aula Verde.
| Ecosystem Service | Projected Benefit |
|---|---|
| Rainwater Interception | 48,000 liters returned to the atmosphere per year |
| Carbon Sequestration | 48 tons of carbon absorbed over 50 years |
| Air Pollution Removal | 11 kg of pollutants (O₃, NO₂, PM10) removed |
Table 1: Projected Regulating Ecosystem Services of Aula Verde Aniene at Maturity 6
Environmental Impact Distribution
Beyond these numbers, the project's true success lies in its cultural and social impact. The qualitative surveys and participatory activities confirmed that Aula Verde successfully provided crucial non-material benefits. It became a place for socialization, spiritual enrichment, and aesthetic enjoyment 4 . The practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) was introduced, leveraging growing evidence that natural environments directly benefit citizens' physical and mental health 4 . This holistic approach helped convey a sense of belonging to the ecosystem, a fundamental step in motivating people to care for their common spaces 4 .
Social Benefits
- Community building
- Enhanced social interactions
- Increased civic engagement
- Intergenerational connections
Psychological Benefits
- Stress reduction
- Improved mental well-being
- Aesthetic appreciation
- Spiritual enrichment
The Aula Verde Toolkit: Essentials for Eco-Social Art
Creating a project like Aula Verde requires a diverse toolkit that merges scientific rigor with artistic vision and community tools.
| Tool Category | Specific Tool | Function in the Project |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific & Technical | i-Tree Eco Software | Quantifies ecosystem services (air quality, carbon, water) for communicating tangible benefits. |
| Willows & White Poplars | Specifically chosen tree species for their ecosystem function in managing flood water. | |
| Artistic & Conceptual | Land Art | Uses natural materials to create artworks that transform a landscape and perception of place. |
| Participatory Art | Involves the community in the creation process, making the art a social and collaborative act. | |
| Community & Process | Citizen Science | Engages the public in data collection, fostering ownership and democratizing knowledge. |
| Co-Creation Workshops | Structured activities for scientists, artists, and citizens to collaboratively design the space. |
Table 2: The Aula Verde Research and Implementation Toolkit
Species Selection
Choosing plants based on ecological function rather than aesthetics alone.
Impact Measurement
Using scientific tools to quantify environmental and social benefits.
Community Engagement
Creating spaces and processes that invite public participation.
A Growing Movement: Conclusions and Replications
The Aula Verde model demonstrates that effective environmental education and climate action require breaking down disciplinary walls. By bridging the emotional, intuitive power of art with the empirical, analytical strength of science, the project communicates the urgency of environmental issues in a way that is both intellectually compelling and deeply felt 4 .
The framework's success is designed to be replicated. The Aula Verde format has already been adapted to new locations, including the Aula Verde Lago Bullicante in Rome and the Aula Verde Xfarm Land Art in Puglia, proving its viability as a scalable model for community-based environmental education 6 .
This approach echoes a broader understanding of environmental education as a community-based endeavor, where goals are determined by a "bottom-up process" and the locus of control is generated by community groups themselves 5 .
The Aula Verde shows us that the future of environmental learning may not be in a textbook, but in a circle of trees, where a community comes together to listen, learn, and grow a more just and sustainable world.
To explore this model further, you can read the full scientific paper in Scientific Reports or learn about the ongoing Climate Art Project which continues to develop these concepts in new contexts 4 6 .
Replication Sites
- Aula Verde Aniene Original
- Aula Verde Lago Bullicante Rome
- Aula Verde Xfarm Land Art Puglia
References
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