Forest education builds the knowledge, skills, and shared values that underpin sustainable forestry and its contributions to sustainable development goals, such as those set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In recent years, however, international forums have expressed concern that, in most countries, forest-related education is insufficient and outdated. The net result is a lack of awareness and understanding among people of all ages of the importance of forests. Equipping children with knowledge about the vital functions of forests is essential for conserving natural resources for future generations. By nurturing awareness and a sustainability attitude in today's children, we pave the way for responsible environmental stewardship among the adults of tomorrow. This begins with reinforcing environmental education programmes that ignite curiosity about the natural world, ultimately nurturing ecologically literate citizens capable of ensuring the sustainable management of our environment, including forests. Inspiring children from an early age builds an appreciation of forests and encourages them to explore careers that benefit society and the environment. This publication caters to nations and jurisdictions interested in expanding forest education among primary-school-aged children. Drawing from lessons learned by implementing project GCP/INT/349/GER, it offers guidance for decision-makers, educational authorities, and institutions seeking to introduce forest education into their curricula, existing school programmes, and informal education settings.

This book is a complete guide to Forest School provision and Nature Pedagogy and it examines the models, methods, worldviews and values that underpin teaching in nature. Cree and Robb show how a robust Nature Pedagogy can support learning, behaviour, and physical and emotional wellbeing, and, importantly, a deeper relationship with the natural world. They offer an overview of what a Forest School programme could look like through the year. The Essential Guide to Forest School and Nature Pedagogy provides ‘real-life’ examples from a variety of contexts, sample session plans and detailed guidance on using language, crafting and working with the natural world. This accessible resource guides readers along the Forest School path, covering topics such as: the history of nature education; our sensory system in nature; Forest School ethos and worldview and playing and crafting in the natural world. Guiding practitioners through planning for a programme, including taking care of a woodland site and preparing all the essential policies and procedures for working with groups and nature, this book is written by dedicated Forest School and nature education experts and is essential reading for settings, schools, youth groups, families and anyone working with children and young people.

A beautifully designed book full of creative ideas and fun activities to get your children outdoors, with a foreword by Chris Packham. Spending time outdoors and interacting with the elements gives our senses a host of stimuli that cannot be recreated indoors. Whether you're splashing in muddy puddles, making shelters, foraging blackberries, playing hide and seek or watching birds, experiencing the natural world reduces stress, makes us feel alive and lays critical foundations for a healthy developing brain. Learning with Nature is ideal for parents, teachers and youth workers looking to enrich children's learning through nature and teach them to enjoy and respect the great outdoors. Written by experienced Forest School practitioners, it is packed with more than 100 tried and tested games and activities suitable for groups of children aged between 3 and 16, which aim to help children develop key practical and social skills and gain a better awareness of the world. The book is well-organised and features step-by-step instructions, age guides, a list of resources needed, and invisible learning points. Explore, have fun, make things and learn about nature with this fantastic guide.

Helps demonstrate how to run Forest School sessions with a wide range of different age groups and in many different settings.