John Thackara Features Yunhe Centre's Place-Based Learning Approach

Yunhe Centre has been featured by John Thackara, one of the world's leading thinkers on ecological design, regenerative development and place-based learning.

For more than three decades, John has worked with educators, designers, governments and organisations around the world, exploring how communities can build more sustainable and regenerative futures. His books, writing and public conversations have helped shape international discussions on ecological thinking, design and education.

Recently, John invited Shuqin Shen, Founder of Yunhe Centre, to join an in-depth conversation about Yunhe's place-based learning programmes in western China. The one-hour interview has now been published on both John Thackara's website and Gaia Education's YouTube channel.

The conversation explores a range of topics, including:

• Why "the villagers and the mountains are our teachers."

• How project-based learning enables students to engage with real-world challenges.

• Why more families are seeking meaningful connections with nature in an AI-driven world.

• What eleven years of working alongside local communities has taught us about trust, collaboration and long-term impact.

The interview highlights Yunhe Centre's approach to experiential education, bringing together biodiversity, cultural heritage and community partnerships to create meaningful learning experiences rooted in place.

Watch the full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUyWP8YbOmM&feature=youtu.be

Read John's article: https://thackara.com/bioregioning/so-you-want-to-start-an-ecological-learning-centre/