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

AAEE 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.

AAEE NSW is proud to now to be bringing Take Me Outside, the successful Canadian project, to NSW to help support educators across the state get kids outside.

Find out more about our Take Me Outside project.

RESOURCE CENTRE

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.

Helpful Links