The Mixed Research Unit (UMR) Petite enfance, grandeur nature is a structural and multidisciplinary entity that supports and guides research projects on nature-based education, whether they originate from the needs of educational settings, researchers, decision-makers, or other community stakeholders. Learn more here....
This project led by UMR Petite enfance, grandeur nature, aimed to disseminate the results of the work carried out as part of the research project ‘Alex – Nature-Based Education: An Innovative Approach to Supporting the Educational Success of Young Children’, in collaboration with the Association québécoise des CPE (AQCPE). The dissemination was completed through three...
This project, part of the Lawson Foundation Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0, explored changes to provincial legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) that would allow outdoor-based programs such as Forest and Nature Schools to operate as licensed Early Learning and Child Care programs (ELCCs). The NL government provided Cloudberry Forest School with an exemption to operate...
The Elements Society is proud to launch Find Educational Resources Now (FERN)—a dynamic, centralized platform that connects educators and learners with environmental education programs across British Columbia and Alberta (for now!). FERN supports educators in fostering environmental literacy, resilience, and nature-connectedness, particularly in early childhood education. The interactive online hub features accessible, research-informed tools, lesson...
Elements Society is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring environmental action through education. By employing an interdisciplinary, systems-thinking approach, the organization highlights the interconnectedness of the natural world and our role within it. The Elements Society website offers a rich collection of resources—including lesson plans, professional development opportunities, and impact reports—designed to promote sustainability...
Developed based on Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ experience working in partnership with Active Sudbury under the guidance of Sport for Life, Public Health Sudbury & Districts has created an exemplary guide for public health professionals to work collaboratively and efficiently within a multi-sector, community-based partnership to address physical literacy. The document presents ways in...
Child Health BC, with partners Sport for Life Society, YMCA of Greater Vancouver, Childhood Healthy Living Foundation, and BC Recreation and Parks Association developed the Appetite to Play program to build physical activity, physical literacy, and food literacy capacity in early years settings. Appetite to Play provides a web resource, toolkit, and training workshops for...
The OutsidePlay.org Teacher Tool is a free online tool designed by Dr. Mariana Brussoni and her research team at the University of British Columbia to help teachers support outdoor play and learning in elementary schools. The Outdoor Play and Learning tool was designed by teachers for teachers. The Outdoor Play and Learning tool aims to...
Nature Companion (https://www.naturecompanion.ca) is a free (no ads, no sign-up) app/website introducing many of the plants and animals found in Canada’s four western provinces. In just one app, you’ll find basic information about over 300 common plants, trees, birds, animals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians....
EcoFriendly West is an online publication celebrating the people, places, organizations, and projects that are playing a positive role in addressing environmental issues and protecting and maintaining nature in Canada's 4 western provinces. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Mastodon, or subscribe by email at https://ecofriendlywest.ca/...
