Case Study in Brief
Description
This activity explores how humans and non-human animals can cohabit in the future. Participants choose an animal they would like to co-live with and discuss the pros and cons of that experience. Activity is mostly the thought experiment and all is done through communication. Discussions will include what challenges might arise, what environmental changes would be needed, and how to build a sustainable ecosystem.
Dispatch From the Field
This activity helps participants imagine a future where humans and animals share space more closely.
Step 1: Introduction
Start by gathering participants and introducing the idea of animal residencies—a future where humans and animals cohabit more closely in shared spaces. Explain that in the past, people lived much closer to animals, but urbanization has changed this relationship.
Now, participants will imagine bringing a specific animal back into their chosen space. Encourage them to think freely—this could be a bird, an insect, or even a larger animal like a fox or hedgehog. The goal is to explore what cohabitation could look like and what changes would be needed to support the chosen animal.
Step 2: Brainstorming & Discussion
Ask each participant to choose one animal they would like to “invite” into the space. Then, guide them through a discussion with these key questions:
- What does this animal need to live in this environment?
- How would the space have to change to support it?
- What benefits could this cohabitation bring to both humans and animals?
- What challenges might arise, and how could we address them?
Encourage participants to think beyond typical pets—maybe they’d like to see more bees, earthworms, or even bats. If outdoors, take a short walk to observe existing wildlife and get inspiration.
Step 3: Sharing & Selection
Each participant or group presents their chosen animal and explains why it would be a good fit for the space. Emphasize that all ideas are valuable, and this isn’t about “winning” but exploring possibilities together.
Step 4: Creating the Collage
Participants bring their ideas to life by creating a visual representation of their chosen animal in the space.
They used laptops and the internet to do research and make the final presentation.
Step 5: Reflection
Wrap up with a short discussion on what the activity revealed:
- How does this change the way we see animals in our environment?
- What steps could realistically be taken to make spaces more welcoming to wildlife?
- What are the biggest barriers, and how could we overcome them?
Finally, compile a short report summarizing the suggested animals, the main challenges and benefits discussed, and reflections from participants
Practical Details – Facilitator’s Notes
How did you modify the activity?
There were no major modifications to the activity, but it naturally took on more of a role-play dynamic due to the specific group it was implemented with. Since most participants were studying biology, ecology, or related fields, they had a strong understanding of the topic, and their choices were backed by solid reasoning.
After selecting specific species, the group engaged in long discussions, often turning the activity into a game of whose choices would be more likely to survive or be easier to accommodate. There were also conversations about how different choices might interact and whether they could coexist successfully.
Some choices were adjusted during the activity based on environmental factors and discussions about other species.
The activity ended with participants creating a digital representation of their final choices.
How did you organize the space?
The activity took place in a classroom-like setting, with chairs and tables arranged in U-shape, for everyone to see each other. Most participants were seated comfortably. We had several laptops, access to phones and Wi-Fi, and a projector with a screen where different answers and visuals were shown. One of the tables was filled with paper, pencils, and other stationery items for easy access.
Who did you work with?
Our group consisted of people aged 18 to 30, students or recent graduates in biology, ecology, sustainable development or related fields. All participants had knowledge of various animal species, how ecosystems function, and the potential impacts of climate change.
What resources did you use?
We used laptops and internet access to do research on the spot and a projector to display all the answers visually. Participants created a digital representation of their final choices using laptops and an online editing tool.
What did you learn?
It was interesting to carry out the activity with participants who had knowledge and experience. It was enjoyable and insightful to listen to their observations and the reasoning behind their choices, some even selected animals we hadn’t known existed. For working with a group like this, we would recommend more preparation and in-depth research beforehand in order to ask critical questions and enrich the discussion and reflection stages.