The impact of a biodiversity focussed outdoor learning programme in school grounds on primary school children’s mood, wellbeing, resilience, connection to nature, knowledge, and perception of nature

A connection with nature is largely established during childhood and children are more inclined to build a connection to what is familiar to them. However, the opportunity for children to familiarise themselves with local wildlife has reduced due to urbanisation and classroom-based lessons. Natural habitats within school grounds can house a variety of species but there is a gap in knowledge on the advantages that direct exposure to nature during outdoor education within school grounds can have on children’s wellbeing and environmental attitudes. Investigations involving 1,253 primary school children (8-12 years old) were carried out to explore the impact of weekly hands-on nature engagement activities in school grounds on children’s mood, wellbeing, resilience, connection to nature, knowledge and perception of nature. The activities focused around discovering and monitoring species, and creating new habitats and food sources. The activities were designed to be carried out in school grounds regardless of size and ecological quality and focused on invertebrates and vertebrates.