Personal Responses to Outdoor Environments Outdoor Environmental Studies

Personal Responses to Outdoor Environments Outdoor & Environmental Studies Exploring Outdoor Experiences Martin Eriksson

Some Responses to Nature n Fear. n Contemplation. n Appreciation/Awe. n Inspiration.

Fear n Many of our responses to nature are responses of fear. n Looking at story books many pictures give the impression nature should be feared. n Nature as wilderness, something wild and untamed. n Think of a personal experience where you have been afraid of nature.

What is your initial response to these?

Picture Facts n The spider in the picture is a Wolf Spider. It is considered harmless to us. n The snake is a white lipped snake and although it has venom the venom is considered not dangerous to humans.

Discussion n Do we fear nature because we don’t understand it? n Do we fear nature because we have learnt this through our culture? n When we usually think of nature it is big and vast. Does this make us feel small, insignificant and perhaps vulnerable? n Copy down these questions and respond to them with some examples.

Contemplation n Quiet. n Peaceful. n Slower pace. n Allows us to relax, think and ponder life. n Time out from hustle and bustle to reflect.

Discussion n Often nature is a good place to contemplate. n Is this just because it is quiet and relaxing? n Is it because we are away from family, friends, school, and work and can think about life away from or without them. n Is it contemplation about us and nature? n Copy down and respond to the above in writing.

Appreciation/Awe n n n n Looks beautiful. Breath of fresh air makes us feel good. Sounds of birds, wind in trees, trickle of creek. Smell of salt air, rain, shrubs. Good weather. Respect combined with fear or wonder. Something different.

Discussion n Think of a place of nature that you appreciate. n Does your appreciation mean you respect it? n What is it about this place that you appreciate? n How does it make you feel and why? n Write questions and your responses.

n Compare the pictures. Which do you appreciate more? Cute and cuddlies!

Inspiration n Many people are inspired to express thoughts and feelings about nature. Some examples of this are: n Write poetry n Paint landscapes n Sketch flowers or birds n Write stories, describing places of nature

The Man From Snowy River And down by Kosciusko, where the pine-clad ridges raise Their torn and rugged battlements on high, Where the air is clear as crystal, and the white stars fairly blaze