Nature Education
Nature Education Is For Everyone!
Macphail Woods has been developing best practices in nature education since 1991. Whether you are an educator, student, parent or guardian, these resources are here to help you have a positive, educational experience outdoors.
The subjects below are a starting point. The focus is on sparking interest and promoting accessibility rather than providing a comprehensive scientific resource. Our approach focuses on the development of a simple and common language for describing what we encounter when we go outside. In each section below we do our best to cover the basics of natural history, ecology, and physiology and define the key terms or Learning Language that unlock our capacity to see nature with clarity! There is also a section devoted to activities, art, and games that make learning fun and inspirational.
Philosophy of Nature Education
Learn a little more about Education at Macphail Woods, and useful practices we have adopted in our experience in nature education.
Plants
Discover all the wonderful ways that plants take care of our ecosystem, some basic identification strategies, and more!
Birds
Birds have feathers, they lay eggs, and have hollow bones! Birds are all around us, making them a wonderful teaching resource.
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Amphibians and Reptiles
Amphibians and Reptiles are incredible indicators of a healthy ecosystem! They are ecotermic and lay eggs.
Insects
Insects are massivley important for our ecosystem, especially when it comes to pollinating and being a food source for other animals!
Mammals
Mammals are furry, nurse their young, have live births and are warm-blooded- sound familiar? We have many mammals on PEI like skunks, flying squirrels, foxes, hares, and humans!
Nature Art
Some of the world's most famous works of art have been inspired by nature. There are so many ways to foster creativity when making art whether though using natural materials, or being inspired by nature.
Nature Activities
Learning activities are great tools to foster learning and positive outdoor experiences. They are fun, adaptable, and are perfect for hands-on learning.
Games
Play is a vital part of outdoor education, it brings joy and laughter, all while increasing our confidence and comfort in natural spaces.
