In June 2024, three students seized the opportunity to create their own course at NMBU. When they found no existing course on the topic of their interest, the students took the lead in designing a student-driven course titled "Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Student-Driven Education for Sustainable Futures"
This course, a unique initiative led by the students Hanna Noemi Lindner, Lone Pollet and Morgane Perrault, explored the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) through both theoretical discussions and hands-on practice. the course brought together 17 students for an immersive 3.5-week learning experience.
Students engaged in transformative learning by spending time in nature—sleeping under the stars, mastering animal tracking, and delving into the connection between humans and nature. This course exemplified student-driven education, where participants shaped their own curriculum, deciding what and how they wanted to learn.
One of the course’s highlights was a full day spent learning about wild edible plants. On June 5th, the students visited Jacob Germain Nodeland’s farm in Sande, where they were introduced to traditional Norwegian foraging practices. Nodeland shared knowledge passed down through generations, revealing the rich nutritional and medicinal value of Norway’s wild plants.
Nodeland’s company, Roots and Culture, strives to (re)educate people on harvesting wild edible plants and utilizing them as food-medicine. Nodeland’s teachings are deeply rooted in ancient Norwegian foraging traditions that have vanished over time.
This experience left a lasting impact, challenging the students' preconceived notions about Norway’s forests and inspiring many students to continue foraging. The course encouraged the students to connect back to the nature that surrounds them, and to incorporate TEK into their daily lives.
