ABC Radio – Eco advocates call for a 20 per cent increase in urban green space by 2020

Posted on August 9, 2015 by tonialeannegray

Here is my PhD student Amanda Lloyd and I on Catalyst – 2 Oct 2014

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4099330.htm

A Golden Oldie – just made into a PDF

Posted on September 16, 2014 by tonialeannegray

Ryan, D. & Gray, T. (1993) Integrating Outdoor Education into the School Curriculum – A Case Study. International Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol XXIX, No 2, pp: 6 – 13

This is one of the first refereed papers I co-wrote with Des Ryan — just made it into a PDF. A little nostalgic reading the impact of Outdoor Education/Wilderness Studies on adolescents.

Latest from ‘Around UWS.’

Posted on August 29, 2014 by tonialeannegray

A short piece I wrote that’s appeared on the UWS site, ‘Around UWS.’

According to acclaimed Harvard biologist E. O. Wilson, we are biologically drawn to nature. Globally, nature is recognised as therapeutic or cathartic and journalist and author Richard Louv posits that when in contact with the natural world we are “self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute. Let’s call it vitamin N – for nature”.

Read the rest here.

We Just Won An Exciting Research Tender at Centennial Park’s Bush School

Posted on August 4, 2014 by tonialeannegray

Kids in OOSH Bush School

Prof Karen Malone, Dr Carol Birrell, Dr Ian Boyle and myself are pleased to announce we will be researching this amazing outdoor learning site

From

http://www.centennialparklands.com.au/education/bush_schools#.U980nw99vgZ.twitter

What is Bush School?

Bush School is a hands on experiential learning program based on regular visits to the same local bush and woodland for an extended period (usually 10 weeks). Sessions can last for half a day (3 hours) or a full day (5 hours).

There is no equipment, no toys, no resources – it is based around what the children find in the bush classroom.

Bush School is based on research and concepts from international best practice in nature education as well as current education models such as Forest Schools and Nature Kindergartens. Although the program has been developed and informed by international best practice it is a uniquely Australian concept in that it is based on the heritage and ecology of our unique Australian landscape

What do you do in a Bush School lesson?

Physical activity including climbing, digging, construction, moving through and negotiating uneven ground
Imaginative play
Loose part play (sticks, earth, stones, plant material)
Flora and Fauna identification/ classification and interaction
Activity that includes elements of risk and challenge
Outdoor learning all year round, all weather every season