The Nature of Cities (TNOC) has launched the NbS Storytelling Toolbox for Educators and community builders, a free and open-source online resource designed to help educators, youth leaders, scientists, and community organizers use storytelling as a tool for change. Developed for NBS EduWorld, this innovative toolbox provides step-by-step guidance on incorporating comic-based storytelling into education and community engagement, making the importance of nature and nature-based solutions (NbS) more accessible and inspiring action towards urban sustainability.
The Power of Storytelling in Environmental Action
Storytelling is a compelling method for making complex issues more engaging, relatable, and memorable. By connecting facts with emotions, stories help people understand key environmental challenges, foster empathy, and ultimately inspire action.
When applied to cities, nature, and sustainability, storytelling can:
- Translate scientific and policy-driven NbS concepts into human-centered narratives.
- Strengthen community engagement by linking environmental challenges to personal and collective experiences.
- Inspire action by making NbS more tangible and relevant to everyday life.
The NbS Storytelling Toolbox equips educators and leaders with practical tools to harness storytelling’s potential, transforming environmental learning into a dynamic, interactive, and impactful experience.
A Flexible, Interactive Resource for Educators and Leaders
Designed with flexibility in mind, the toolbox offers two distinct ways for users to engage with its resources:
For those who prefer a self-paced approach, the Do It Yourself stream provides an easy-to-follow presentation guide, Hero’s Journey storytelling templates, comic strips, explainer videos, and a workshop setup guide—allowing educators and leaders to independently design and facilitate storytelling workshops.
For those looking for expert guidance, the We’ll Do It for You stream offers tailored storytelling workshops led by experienced facilitators, either online or in person. These immersive sessions blend science, art, and practice, providing structured guidance on NbS storytelling and ensuring participants leave with compelling narratives and actionable insights.
Both approaches are designed to be accessible and adaptable for:
- Educators integrating storytelling into classroom learning.
- Youth leaders and community groups engaging their audiences creatively.
- Scientists and organizations seeking innovative ways to communicate NbS concepts.
Applications and Benefits
The NbS Storytelling Toolbox can be applied in various settings:
- Classrooms – Engaging students with interactive storytelling to explain NbS concepts.
- Community projects – Using stories to highlight local environmental challenges and solutions.
- Policy discussions – Making NbS strategies more accessible and relatable to decision-makers.
- Digital advocacy – Creating compelling social media campaigns focused on NbS.
By using this toolbox, educators and leaders will:
- Gain practical storytelling tools for educational and advocacy purposes.
- Help students and communities develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Foster creativity and personal expression in discussions about sustainability.
- Enhance digital and visual literacy using comic-based storytelling methods.
Access the Toolbox
The NbS Storytelling Toolbox is available online and free to use. To explore the full range of resources and start integrating storytelling into environmental education, visit: Storytelling Toolkit for Educators.
Join the Conversation
The Nature of Cities invites educators, youth leaders, and community organizers to share their NbS storytelling projects and experiences. Those interested in showcasing their work can connect with TNOC (claudia@thenatureofcities.eu) and NBS EduWorld, contributing to a growing network of environmental storytelling practitioners.
About the Project
The NbS Storytelling Toolkit for Educators and Community Builders is funded by
NBS EduWorld and proudly produced by The Nature of Cities.
The illustrations featured in the NbS Storytelling Toolbox were created by Sylvia Gómez G. (@ruge) and are part of the award-winning NbS comic "Relatives", which explores the interconnectedness between humans and urban nature. This project is part of the NBS Comics: Nature to Save the World collection and has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under project NetworkNaturePLUS 101082213.
Let’s use storytelling to transform hearts, minds, and urban landscapes!