A natural history group excursion is a trip along a route that allows people to observe the physical and/or natural world. Although widespread in Switzerland, these excursions have a unique character in Neuchâtel, relating to the teaching of natural sciences, and building on social and community links to develop the practice of group excursions.
Natural history group excursions date back to the 18th century, encouraged among other things by the arrival of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the Val-de-Travers, where he developed a passion for botany. The excursions became a tradition thanks to many different naturalist associations, the early ones being the Club jurassien, established in 1865, followed by l’Amici Naturae in 1893, and Nos Oiseaux in 1913. As soon as the academic botanical garden was set up in Neuchâtel in the 1880s, teachers took their students on excursions. The tradition increasingly took hold in the mid-1960s, when several professorships in botany and zoology were set up at the University of Neuchâtel, which is recognised throughout Switzerland for its field biology teaching. The tradition continues into the 21st century with around twenty associations, some of which have been set up in the last 30 years (ADAJE in 1992, Sorbus in 2004, Floraneuch in 2015).
Natural history group hikes are a source of interaction, discovery and learning. In social terms, sharing concerns about nature has given people an awareness of the urgent need to protect it. The knowledge and expertise developed through these excursions has resulted in new activities for knowledge dissemination, in particular through museums and renowned publishing houses.
