Learning in Nature: Bringing Friluftsliv to Canada

One of Sauvé’s (2005) practical and theoretical currents in environmental education called the ‘Naturalist Current’, which focuses on the “intrinsic value of nature,” (p. 13) spoke to me as a science and environmental educator. Since I minored in philosophy and took courses like ‘Philosophy, Law, and Society’ and ‘Environmental Philosophy’, I have long had an interest in the morality and ethics of how we treat the natural world. Although I personally believe that nature is intrinsically valuable, I never thought to question why until I read Sobel’s work. Sobel (1998) posits that we must encourage children to be in nature in order for them to want to save it. Indeed, despite the fact that I grew up in Buenos Aires, my childhood was filled with constant outdoor play and exploration of the natural world. Without this early love and appreciation for nature, I wonder if my desire to live sustainably by eating a plant-based diet, and to protect the environment, would have developed the way it has.