Nature Connection
Immersion in nature and place-based learning experiences bring great depth of understanding and connection
Nature Education
“The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.” Richard Louv – The Nature Principle
Engaging the community in nature
Whether from a community group, volunteers or professionals, environmental educators engage the community in nature, about nature and for nature. We understand the power of living in nature—not with it, but in it. We know that people who care for the local environment are deeply connected to their place and nature. Read on for suggestions and examples, useful resources, and ways to get involved…
How do we do it?
Our skills and knowledge are about:
- immersing people in nature, and encouraging a sense of freedom and play
- connecting people with their local environment, and empowering them to get involved e.g. as citizen scientists
- facilitating groups in an outdoors environment
- recognising local Indigenous culture – past, present and future
- using technology for education.
Our work
EE NSW delivered a terrific community nature education project (Nature Connect) that aimed to help NSW environmental educators share and improve their skills and knowledge about connecting the community to place and nature. This project was supported by the NSW Government through an Environmental Trust ‘Lead Environmental Community Groups’ (LECG) grant. The project was primarily based in the Hunter Region and saw educators from early learning centres and schools come together to discuss ways to help their students connect with nature.
EE NSW delivered Take Me Outside NSW, based on the successful Canadian project, to help support educators across the state get kids outside. Resources from Take Me Outside NSW are available below.
Resources
We have collated a range of links and resources to help educators integrate nature education into their programs. If you know of other resources we could add to this page, please contact us.
- Community organisations – CEN, Centre for Ecological Learning
- Indigenous-led experiences on country: Welcome To Country
- Not-for-profits – BirdLife Australia citizen science; Planet Ark Tree Day
- State government – National Parks and Wildlife Service guided walks
- Local Government– Gosford City Council’s Family Nature Club
- Statutory authorities – Centennial Parklands Bush School; Botanic Gardens tours and walks
- Outdoor education companies – Project Nature-Ed, Land’s Edge, Total Eco Adventures
- Local city farms & community gardens
- Permaculture Groups across the country – Permaculture Australia
- International projects – the PLACE program; IUCN’s CEC; WatershED Matters
Got something to add to this list? Contact us with your suggestions
AAEE NSW delivered the Take Me Outside NSW program from 2019 – 2022, with funding support from the NSW Environmental Trust and permission from Take Me Outside Canada.
Take Me Outside NSW offered a free ‘one-stop-shop’ for teachers, educators and community volunteers to connect with community groups, government staff & programs in NSW which support the Take Me Outside philosophy – getting kids active outdoors, reconnecting people with nature as active citizens & enhancing the long-term health of our environment.
Registered participants were supported to plan, deliver and evaluate their environment education projects. Local supporters registered to help project participants deliver successful projects and get kids outside. Over 500 educators engaged in professional learning to enhance design, delivery and evaluation of nature connection and environmental action projects
Free online program resources are available below.
- Benefits of connecting people with nature and the environment
- Take Me Outside project ideas
- Citizen Science
- Engaging schools and young people
- Early Childhood case studies and resources
- Community Groups & Government supporters
- Education program design and evaluation
View our online professional learning seminars:
- Local Government Forum: Nature Connection Programs(April 2022)
- Evaluating Nature Connection Programs for Sustainability(May 2022) with Dr Melissa Hatty, Monash University
Check out these short, clever and funny YouTube clips: Nature Pt 1 and Nature Pt 2
Identifying plants and animals – a dwindling skillset?
Richard Louv:
– The Nature Principle (a powerful call to action— about adults and nature)
– Last Child in the Woods (Louv’s first book, which coined the phrase ‘nature deficit disorder’)
David Sobel:
– Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education
– YouTube lecture – Place-based education
Jon Young – Coytote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature
John Fien – Learning to Care: Education and Compassion
Daniella Tilbury & David Wortman – Engaging People in Sustainability
Nikki Harre – Psychology for a Better World
Needing trees – the nature of happiness Planet Ark research
Nature Educators Network Australia
Branding Biodiversity – the new nature message
IUCN’S Love not Loss education campaign