Recent recognition of the growth and significance of the outdoor recreation industry indicates a need for outdoor-focused academic programs in higher education, yet broader trends affecting higher education may especially impact these programs. Our census methodology identified 128 undergraduate outdoor academic programs; more than previously…

Signing on to take part in Bush Blitz TeachLive (BBTL) is an easy decision for many teacher applicants. The opportunity to be a scientist's field-assistant and to beam the experience back to students in the classroom is an enticing one. Yet the reality of an expedition often far exceeds the initial expectation. This article describes the…

In Australia, there have been a growing number of nature-based early childhood education initiatives [Alme, H., and M. A. Reime. 2021. "Nature Kindergartens: A Space for Children's Participation." "Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education" 24: 113-131]. Research into early years' nature education internationally remains…

The growing interest in outdoor early childhood education, even in countries with a weak environmental tradition such as Portugal, tends to be associated with a concern over the alienation between urban/Western children and nature. While educational projects in nature criticize this separation, they still maintain a bad culture vs good nature…

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of preschooler PA in two separate environments (indoor/outdoor) on measures of executive functions in preschoolers. Eighteen preschool-age (3-5 years) children were recruited for the study. Participants of the study wore an accelerometer for 30 min during indoor classroom-based activities and 30 min…

Now more than ever, school gardens can contribute to primary education, as a foundation for integrated learning and a resource for children's wellbeing and health. The primary aim of this study was to build a picture of the many ways school gardens are used and valued in Irish primary schools. A qualitative approach, incorporating site visits and…

In the United States, early childhood programs inclusive of nature experiences for young children vary widely in terms of time spent outdoors; purpose of the program, approaches to use of the environment, curricular aims and support of young children's development. A commonality across many of these early childhood programs available in the United…

In response to the challenges of reopening safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bradley Projects, in partnership with The Bradley Development Group and Certified Construction Services, worked with the Linden Waldorf School in Nashville to design pavilions that allowed classes to meet outdoors. The pavilions were designed to support the school's…

Environmental literacy is represented by levels of environmental knowledge, attitudes, sensitivity and environmentally responsible behaviour. In this study, the relationship between these components of environmental literacy and their relationship with possible determinants (gender, outdoor activities) were tested. An analytical tool developed by…

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many facets of outdoor adventure and experiential education (OAEE) programs. Using past literature, four variables represent important student outcome variables associated with OAEE programs. Purpose: This study examined the effects of participation in an OAEE program on levels of anxiety, depression,…

From a Self-Determination Theory perspective, children are expected to grow according to innate tendencies in supportive environments, such as nature-based educational settings. The role of the practitioner is generally viewed as facilitative in these contexts. We report findings from a qualitative study with a sample of 18 UK-based outdoor…

Through an examination of "In-Common Sites," conducted with young people to investigate their relationship with Mousehold Heath in Norwich, this article considers the possibilities of performance to not UK, only represent a spatially defined urban common but also to enact a commons. It is argued that performance is a generative social…

Nature-based early childhood education (NBECE) is a growing field for children aged 3-6 in North America. This growth demands the need for NBECE professionals. Often grounded in personal journey and perceptions, pedagogical practices of NBECE teachers play a vital role in learning experiences and nature-connectedness. This qualitative research…

Land-based literacies scholars have worked to expand understandings of literacies to include often marginalized cultures who understand literacy as resulting from human and more-than-human relations. In this article, we contribute to this broadening of literacies with an analysis of how nature influences the meaning-making practices of rural,…

Although early childhood theorists agree on the importance of spending time in nature and the outdoors, it unfortunately appears that today's young children do not always have sufficient opportunities to experience and strengthen this connection. Lack of time spent in nature, combined with the health issues associated with large quantities of time…