When Caring for Nature Becomes Too Hard – About Burnout, Care and Regeneration of Internal Resources
Organized by the Croatian Network of Marine Protected Areas, another successful online thematic lecture was held on November 11, 2025, this time with a slightly different focus – on emotional well-being and prevention of burnout among those who work in nature protection on a daily basis.
The lecture entitled "When Caring for Nature Becomes Too Hard – Prevention of Burnout and Regeneration of Internal Resources" was given by Marina Trbus, psychologist and head of the Kauch Psychological Center.
The meeting was attended by more than 50 participants from all over Croatia – not only from coastal areas, but also from the continent – who are engaged in the preservation of our most valuable natural heritage on a daily basis.
How to stay motivated and positive in nature protection?
"In order to burn out, you once had to burn with a strong flame..."
Working in nature protection is often filled with passion, but also great challenges. It is this strong commitment that sometimes leads to exhaustion and loss of internal motivation. Marina emphasized that burnout is not a sign of weakness, but a call for change – to reestablish a balance between engagement and rest.
In the discussion, we touched on a number of useful guidelines that help us not to "burn out":
• engagement – rest cycle
• self-care and health
• peer support and collective care
• creation of coalitions and informal networks
• choosing battles
• connecting with values and spirituality
• humor and small victories
• learning and adaptation
And when burnout does occur, it is important to acknowledge it, seek help, rest, and gradually find a new meaning and way of acting – step by step.
It is not only important what, but also how
The lecture also touched on the emotional aspect of communication on environmental topics.
Marina warned that strong emotional reactions, such as fear, despair or overwhelming feelings, can reduce people's ability to rationally consider information and react.
That is why it is important how we talk about nature and its protection:
• avoid exclusively narratives of fear and apocalypse
• emphasize opportunities and benefits, not just threats
• be aware of retraumatization of oneself, others and the community
• maintain a fine balance – honesty about the danger, but also faith in the solution
Network as support
This meeting showed that the Croatian Network of Marine Protected Areas is not only a professional platform for exchanging knowledge, but also a support network – a community that understands how important it is to protect both nature and the people who advocate for it.
