Focus Area 2: Human connections with nature

Learning experiences through outdoor activities and journeys in natural environments (refer to the learning framework for minimum requirements) enable students to explore and connect with nature and develop relationships that promote conservation, sustainability, and personal and social growth and development.

Through connections with nature, and reflection on their experiences in nature, students are motivated to be environmentally engaged and to advocate for sustainable behaviour and practices in natural environments. The development of relationships with natural environments enables students to appreciate nature for its physical and emotional health-giving properties.

Students apply planning and leadership skills to support positive outdoor experiences in nature for themselves and others, through consideration of safety and risk management, decision-making, and reflective and collaborative practices.

Suggested learning activities

The following learning activities are suggestions only. Teachers may select suitable activities from this list, adapt these activities, or design their own:

• design and implement conservation strategies and sustainable practices
• explore and understand narratives of place and make connections with the environment, considering personal, Indigenous, historical, economic, and other cultural perspectives
• consider the economic, political, and social issues that impact on natural environments
• evaluate and reflect on personal experiences in natural environments
• critically analyse the relative naturalness of environments to make informed decisions and take responsible action promoting the conservation and sustainability of those natural environments
• consider and apply reflective practices of their safety, risk, and leadership strategies to support positive connections with natural environments, and consider the transfer of these skills to their daily lives.