Located at the crossroads of different biogeographical regions, İstanbul is one of the world’s most unique cities with its remarkable biodiversity and geographical richness. With its forests, water basins, coasts, and valleys, the city hosts a wide range of ecosystems and offers young people a unique space to explore nature.

Held between October and December 2024, the Istanbul’s Nature Adventures project aimed to bring young people together and encourage them to discover the city’s ecological richness. Centered around the themes of soil, air, and water, the program combined online theoretical sessions, field trainings, institutional visits, and creative workshops into a comprehensive learning journey. Organized in collaboration with artio—a platform founded by university students Öykü Bulut and Alperen Kars—the project sought to merge academic knowledge with field experience, fostering environmental awareness and strengthening young people’s connection with urban ecosystems.

The program was structured around three thematic modules. The Soil Module introduced participants to İstanbul’s forests, terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The Air Module explored the city’s climate, weather events, and the impacts of climate change, while encouraging individual and collective action. The Water Module focused on water basins, the protection of water resources, and the influence of climate change on the hydrological cycle.

Renowned academics contributed to the theoretical sessions: Prof. Dr. Ünal Akkemik from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Prof. Dr. Nüzhet Dalfes and Prof. Dr. Ömer Lütfi Şen from ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yasemin Ezber. Field activities were held in collaboration with Banu Binbaşaran and Yeliz Ergöl, including explorations in Atatürk Urban Forest and a visit to the Climate Museum. With the support of İSKİ, participants also visited the Terkos Water Civilizations Museum, where they learned about the crucial role of water in urban life.

By the end of the program, young participants had the opportunity to enhance their ecological literacy, discover urban ecosystems, and build a deeper connection with nature. The knowledge and experiences they gained about İstanbul’s forests, climate, and water resources expanded their perspectives and strengthened their motivation to develop solutions for ecological challenges.

Collaborating with artio, a youth-led platform, in bringing this project to life has been a source of great joy for us. Istanbul’s Nature Adventures not only aimed to understand nature, but also contributed to opening new pathways for nature through the imagination, creativity, and dedication of young people.