Nature Based Wellbeing in Schools - Bridging the Gap Between Research and Application.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Real World Application.
25 years ago, Miles and Tom were working together at an outdoor education centre in the Tweed Valley and having long discussions about outdoor education, wellbeing, nature connection, nature as an active participant and creating communities. These discussions have continued at irregular intervals since; now they are collaborating to apply nature connection science and research in school settings.
Miles and Tom will dig into the latest international nature connection and wellbeing research, informed by NatureFix's partnerships with six universities and three current clinical trials. We will explore the '5 steps to connect', a trauma informed nature connection process based in neuroscience. We will discuss the practical application of this process to support students, staff and families in partnership with schools and on school camps.
This session will combine theory and practice. Presentation of research and processes will be balanced with illustrative activities and discussion.
Tom MacMunn & Miles Holmes
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DR. MILES HOLMES, Founder, Anthropologist & Nature Connection Specialist
Miles is the director of NatureFix, he has a background in cultural anthropology, outdoor education and research. Miles has been facilitating groups outdoors for over 25 years. He has been mentored in deep nature connection, bushcraft and meditation by leading experts in Australia and the USA and holds a PhD in anthropology completed in partnership with Warlpiri people from Central Australia. He has a deep understanding of nature connection processes, and how they can be applied in the health, education and corporate sectors. Plus, practical experience of collaborating with Indigenous Australians to inform nature based interventions for health and stewardship outcomes.
TOM MACMUNN, Founder, School Principal, Teacher, Outdoor Educator
Tom is the founder of The Upside of Being Outside, delivering nature based wellbeing support to schools, camps and young people. Tom has been working with young people for over 25 years as an outdoor educator, teacher and school leader. He has extensive experience and expertise supporting young people and their families at an individual, group and system level. He developed and embedded the School to Summit, an innovative whole school outdoor and wellbeing program during his time as a teacher and principal at Mansfield Primary School in NE Victoria. Tom facilitates nature based wellbeing sessions on school camps and uses nature connection to support students, staff and families at rural schools in Victoria.