Why does it matter? It’s your starting point!
In recent years, nature-based approaches have evolved, bringing innovative and effective methods to support learning, development, and well-being. By incorporating nature into activities, these approaches provide diverse benefits for individuals and communities. This blog explores a range of nature-based approaches, why they are used, their similarities and differences and why we should know the difference.
What Are Nature-Based Approaches?
It’s fair to say that most of the professionals we see enter the nature-based profession is through a forest school route, but for most, it’s not necessarily the correct starting point. Nature-based approaches use outdoor environments and natural resources to facilitate learning, play, therapy, and community well-being. These methods develop the connection between humans and nature around them, promoting holistic development and resilience. There are several different approaches, all of which are rapidly evolving, and for some approaches, there has yet to be a clear definition. For many approaches the boundaries are not clear and often can slip from one approach to another, although this is may not a bad thing. Sometimes this can cause complications for practitioners who deliver interventions, as the expectations from others of the time and skills involved may be unclear or unrealistic. Below, we have tried to summarise some of the common approaches, but this is by no means a definitive list.
Key Nature-Based Approaches
Forest School
Forest school is an outdoor education model where children engage in long-term, regular sessions in natural settings such as woodlands. This is a child-led play-based approach and activities are scaffolded around the child and include play, managed risk-taking, and the use of hand tools. Forest School programmes are delivered by trained L3 forest school leaders.
Forest school is used to:
• Develop confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Develop social, and emotional development and build resilience.
• Provide hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.
• Develop nature connection.
Curriculum-Based Outdoor Learning
This approach integrates outdoor experiences directly into the school curriculum, delivering academic outcomes and raising attainment. Activities include science experiments, history walks, maths, literacy, art or geography fieldwork. This approach is objective-led and brings teaching out of the classroom.
It is used to:
• Make learning more engaging and relevant.
• Support kinaesthetic and experiential learners, making learning more accessible to a wider range of pupils.
• Deepen understanding of the curriculum through real-world hands-on activities.
• There are also opportunities for nature connection and improvements to long-term mental health, however, this needs to be a focus and not just assume it will happen by accessing outdoor space.
Nature-Based Play
Nature-based play involves unstructured, child-led activities in natural settings. Examples include climbing trees, building dens, and exploring streams. Nature-based play is intrinsically led by the child and requires no adult involvement.
This approach is used to:
• Encourage creativity and imagination.
• Develop motor skills and physical fitness.
• Promote a sense of wonder and connection to nature.
Therapeutic Approaches
Nature-based therapeutic approaches use natural environments to support mental and emotional health. Techniques may include mindful forest walks, gardening, or nature-based activities. Participants should ensure that their instructors are suitably qualified to meet their needs and ensure their safety whilst accessing sessions.
These approaches are used to:
• Reduce stress and anxiety.
• Improve mood and focus.
• Develop personal growth and resilience.
• Provide enjoyable and social interactions.
Outdoor Therapy
Outdoor therapy provides structured therapy interventions in natural settings. Activities may include therapy sessions in natural environments or nature-based counselling. These sessions are delivered by qualified therapists who have regular supervision and comprehensive support and referral networks for participants.
It is used to:
• Address health challenges in a natural environment.
• Build trust, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Provide opportunities for reflection and growth.
• Address the participant’s health needs.
Bushcraft
Bushcraft teaches survival skills and self-reliance in natural environments. Activities include fire-building, shelter-making, and foraging.
Bushcraft is used to:
• Develop confidence and independence.
• Teach practical and survival skills.
• Encourage a deep appreciation for nature and care for the environment.
Adventure Activities
Adventure activities involve physical challenges such as hiking, climbing, or kayaking in natural settings. Instructors are qualified to deliver their sessions to ensure the safety of participants.
These are used to:
• Build resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Promote physical health and fitness.
• Provide thrilling, memorable experiences that develop a love of nature.
Community Well-Being Activities
These activities engage groups in communal outdoor experiences, such as community/ forest gardens, nature walks, or conservation projects.
They are used to:
• Strengthen social connections and reduce isolation.
• Enhance community spirit and well-being.
• Develop a connection to nature and promote shared responsibility for the environment.
Green/Nature Prescribing
Green and nature prescribing involves healthcare providers recommending time in nature as part of a treatment plan. Examples include walking in parks, nature activities or participating in gardening programs.
This is used to:
• Alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Encourage physical activity and outdoor engagement.
• Improve overall mental and physical health.
• Develop a connection to nature.
Similarities Among Approaches
• Connection to Nature: All approaches emphasise the benefits of spending time in natural settings and the mental health benefits associated with this.
• Holistic Benefits: They aim to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Experiential Learning: Hands-on, learning by experience and active engagement is a cornerstone of each approach.
• Delivered outdoors in natural settings: and often use similar nature-based activities to engage participants.
Differences Between Approaches
• What you aim to achieve from each approach differs, so it is good to think about why you want to do the intervention/ activity in the first place. For example, forest school a play-based child-led approach might not work as well if you want to achieve curriculum-led outcomes.
• Outdoor learning has mental health benefits, but a targeted therapeutic intervention might meet the participant’s needs more effectively.
• The skills and experience needed for each approach differ, a great forest school leader may not have the correct qualifications, skills and experience to deliver outdoor therapy, so it’s good to know what you need and how to address that need effectively.
Why Use Nature-Based Approaches?
Nature-based approaches offer a way to address a variety of challenges. They develop nature connection, and personal growth, build resilience, and enhance learning and well-being. Nature-based approaches align with sustainability, climate and biodiversity agendas by encouraging participants to become environmentally aware and develop pro-environmental behaviours. By using these approaches you create lasting benefits for individuals and communities alike. But it is useful before embarking on any training or intervention to focus on why you are doing it in the first place, this will save time and money.
Visit our courses page or contact us to discover the training pathways available to you to support you on the pathway you need.
