Environmental Sustainability in Practice

Naturalist Approach

The naturalist approach is "centered on human relationships with nature" (Sauve, 2005, p.13). This approach recognizes the value of nature, above and beyond the resources it provides. It also focuses on learning through immersion with nature. Clover, Follen & Hall (2000) highlight the value of nature not only to learning, but also suggest that outdoor education is most effective. In the last century, the naturalist approach has been closely associated with the nature education movement, as well as the push for outdoor education.


Example

Forest Schools are a form of education that takes place outdoors in a wooded area, where children are invited to participate in all types of learning in the outdoors. Often, forest schooling takes place in early childhood education programs.


Did you know that Brock University has a Forest School on campus? Early childhood educator, Susanne Robitaille, describes the outdoor classroom.

To experience the Forest School for themselves, Brock University Masters of Education  students also head for the trees.
 

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