Nature kindergartens are a type of early-childhood education that, relative to other settings, are based outdoors, season-round. They are founded on the belief that direct and immediate experiences with ‘quotidian nature’ (Kahn & Kellert, 2002, xvii) are beneficial in early childhood. More commonplace in Nordic nations and Germany, nature kindergartens are more recently evident worldwide and, hence, timely to research them. By evidencing a descriptive account of ‘nature kindergartens’, this study sought distinctions and commonalities between examples to inform why practice may look the way it does. Existing knowledge presented an opportunity to explore why sharing a label does not infer similar practice arrangements. With its social constructionist lens, this inquiry considered how patterned behaviours and socialised practices (embedded in adults and emergent or developing in children) might guide variations in nature-kindergarten practices. Theoretical tools, namely Bourdieu’s (1977) concept of habitus and Heft’s (1988) version of affordance theory, are used to endorse the position that the use of nature environments for early-childhood education are subject to wider considerations. Using these concepts, nature-kindergartens practices, including that which was seen, heard, smelt, tasted and touched by participants were interpreted for the ways different groups construct season-round relations with nature. The research design and questions were established using preliminary investigations or ‘scoping’ of 15 nature kindergartens in six countries ahead of the selection of three case settings: one Danish case, one Finnish and one Scottish. By ‘looking between’ in preference to comparison, the inquiry extends our understanding of nature kindergarten as sites of social and cultural construction, where educational practices cannot be disjoined from their wider societal, cultural and natural influences. The multicase study (Stake, 2006) framed the collection of data through time-sampled observations, interviews and conversations with adult and child participants. Other peripheral data, including photographs and field journals, were collected. The author shared 53 days with participants at the three case locations and coded the observed practices using thematic analysis (Boyatzis, 1998). Children’s own words, metaphor, poem extracts and colloquial phrases have been used to further contextualise the writing. The study findings describe nature kindergartens as a distinctive form of early-childhood education through evidencing locally relevant relationships with nature. For those under study, spending a preschool year variously shivering and sweating, exhausted and exhilarated, eating berries and eating snow evidenced differences and similarities in season-round relations with nature. This study, by deepening our understanding of nature-kindergarten practice, evidences how socialised practices can play a constitutive, rather than causal, role in practice looking the ways it does. Together, the findings contribute a foundation for the early-childhood education and outdoor-learning fields to place increased emphasis on the role of nature kindergartens in lifelong relations with the outdoors. Longitudinal and multicase research in this area is of great interest, yet currently sparse.

A need to develop creative practices in child therapy, which address elements of environmental and therapeutic sustainability, is evident. Practices that are accessible, affordable, adaptable, and cross cultural offer therapeutic options that are applicable in a range of contexts. This study explored the potential for nature-based material used in therapy, to facilitate narrative identity development. The therapy process preceding the study entailed the use of an Embodiment Projective Role (EPR) ideas for narrative play therapy, incorporating nature as metaphorical material in exploring identity. As a descriptive qualitative study the collaborative narrative inquiry allowed for an account of identity development through the co creation of a significant statement of self research document. The inquiry into six children's identity documents, differing in age and gender, yielded intentional states of being as identity conclusions. Statements of what was done, statements of knowledge about self, and statements of how their identity informed decision making, were made. Identity conclusions were reached by every participant and the knowledge that was co created resulted in rich feelings across all participants. Participants acknowledged the sustainability of the therapeutic process through concrete natural reminders. When engaging in revisiting conversations with their caregivers, it was evident that each participant had experienced changes that enriched their daily life experiences following the research. The research fulfilled objectives of contributing knowledge of alternative, sustainable therapeutic resources and creates opportunities for continued research and practice in narrative nature based play therapy. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Psychology / PhD / Unrestricted

The overall aim of this dissertation was to better understand the learning and teaching of NBPA in PHE experiences for teachers and adolescent students. A secondary aim was to better understand the learning and teaching cycle for NBPA reform in PHE. To achieve these aims, I conducted three interrelated studies that explored: (a) how pre-service teachers learn to teach NBPA in PHE, (b) in-service educators’ perspectives on learning and teaching NBPA, and (c) adolescent student experiences with NBPAs in and beyond PHE. These three studies explored the learning cycle from pre-service instruction, to in-service professional development, to, finally, the impact on the students’ learning. Individual findings are discussed in each of the three studies, and two overarching themes are discussed as findings for the overall body of research: (a) NBPA as a conduit for place- and land-based education; and (b) NBPA as an effective form of PHE reform. / Graduate / 2023-07-07

Nature-based tourism is one of the most preferred types of tourism by tourists in recent years. This type of tourism also has a special effect on people's decisions. This paper analyzes the role of nature-based tourism in people's decisions and tourist preferences, as well as how companies meet these requirements. Taking into account the growing tourism potential in the Caucasus region, Azerbaijan has been selected as the main study area. In this paper, the qualitative method was applied as the main research design, and the data collection was obtained based on interviews. This study reveals the expectations of tourists from companies and the factors that influence their decisions. It also analyzes how companies meet the needs of tourists and the relationship between them.

People visit protected areas (PAs) for enjoyment and appreciation of nature. However, tourism that is not well planned and managed can significantly degrade the environment, and impact negatively on nearby communities. Of further concern is the distribution of the costs and benefits of nature-based tourism (NBT) in PAs, with some communities experiencing proportionally more benefits, while other communities experience more of the cost. This distribution is complex and differs considerably amongst PAs. This thesis examines the flow and distribution of the costs and benefits of the NBT supply system to conservation and communities in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. The Serengeti ecosystem, a World Heritage site and a leading global wildlife tourism destination, was selected for this study because of high biodiversity, high poverty, and a high level of NBT activity. The research was guided by four main questions: (1) what is the nature of the supply system of NBT in the Serengeti ecosystem; (2) how do the management plans allow for and guide tourism in the Serengeti ecosystem; (3) what are the impacts of the NBT supply system on conservation; and, (4) what are the impacts of the NBT supply system on communities? A qualitative approach was used, combining document analysis, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. This involved collecting data from a number of participants: PA agencies; the tourism industry; nearby communities; and non-governmental organizations. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The findings offer an ecosystem-scale perspective rather than the common focus on a single PA. The study uses complex systems theory to help frame the NBT supply system in the Serengeti ecosystem, which is comprised of numerous agents that can be grouped in four major components − PAs, communities, tourism operations, and elements of the wider environment. The agents, such as tour operators, park management, and communities, vary across the ecosystem, and have multiple roles in NBT, including management of attractions, tourism planning and management, and provision of accommodation, transportation, accessibility, information, security, and utilities. There are complex interactions and relationships among these components across the ecosystem, and at local, regional, national, and international scales. PAs interact with tourism operators, PAs interact with communities, tourism operators interact with communities, and the three components are linked to the wider environment. These components of the NBT supply system interact dynamically in a non-linear manner, resulting in mixed outcomes for conservation and communities. The findings indicate the need for an integrated management approach to NBT in the Serengeti ecosystem that is more adaptive and ecosystem-based than currently exists. The wildlife legislation requires all PAs in the Serengeti ecosystem to have management plans, but some do not. The management plans in the ecosystem vary among PAs, with a number of flaws, including inadequate participation of stakeholders, poor use of zoning (design and implementation), and ineffective application of the “Limits of Acceptable Use” (LAU) as a main framework for controlling use. Management can be improved by several measures, including more effective inclusion of stakeholders, and application of the “Limits of Acceptable Change” (LAC) rather than “LAU,” amongst other measures that are outlined in more detail below. NBT in the Serengeti ecosystem is growing, and delivers a range of conservation benefits and costs that vary across the ecosystem. These conservation benefits include: financial support for conservation, improved biodiversity conservation and PA management, raised conservation awareness, and public support for conservation. These benefits can be improved by enhancing the quality of services and tourism experience, charging appropriate fees, PA agencies retaining a portion of tourism revenue, and improving collaboration and participation of stakeholders in NBT and conservation. Conservation costs include financial costs, wildlife disturbance, shifting priorities from conservation to tourism, habitat destruction, and pollution. These costs can be reduced by undertaking thorough investigation of the potential costs and benefits of tourism development, effective management planning, improving provision of information to tourists, and improving NBT management. NBT delivers many benefits to communities, such as income, employment, social services and infrastructure, scholarships, and school fees. These benefits can be improved by participation of local communities in conservation, promoting capacity building in local communities, improving legislation and mechanisms governing delivery of benefits, and encouraging communities to establish Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). NBT results in many costs to local communities, such as loss of grazing land and farmland, conflict (tourism stakeholders, and human-wildlife conflicts), stress to local residents due to increase of human populations, and unintended consequences such as cultural degradation. These costs can be reduced by involving local communities in tourism development and management and developing codes of conduct for tourism operators and PA agencies. Specific examples of suggested actions include: developing and implementing effective management plans; promoting stakeholder awareness of conservation, NBT, and communities; and establishing a forum for discussing interests and issues of stakeholders in the ecosystem. The flow and distribution of these costs and benefits to conservation and communities also varies across the Serengeti ecosystem. Overall, NBT generates substantial benefits to PAs, although considerably less revenue is allocated to conservation activities than is accrued from NBT. On the other hand, local communities experience considerable costs and receive inadequate benefits that are not sufficient to address poverty. Inadequate mechanisms that govern the flow of the costs and benefits, poor governance, and persistent poverty are some of the main factors contributing to the imbalance of the flow and distribution of the costs and benefits of NBT. Finally, a complex systems perspective was shown to be a useful tool in understanding the NBT system as a whole, the dynamic interaction within the system and beyond, and associated costs and benefits delivered by that system. Overall, this study recommends adaptive management, ecosystem-based management, and an integrated approach that recognizes and accommodates the interests of various NBT stakeholders in the Serengeti ecosystem. Specific actions of high priority include developing and implementing effective management plans, adopting LAC in PA planning, capacity building for communities to participate in the tourism industry, and participation and collaboration of NBT stakeholders in the ecosystem. / Graduate

With an increasing understanding for the impacts of scuba dive tourism on the marine environments and local communities world-wide, research has recently expanded to include the perspectives of ecology, socio-culture and economy. However, due to the common lack of a transdisciplinary view, the following research aims at fulfilling the gap by viewing the management of scuba dive tourism at the two marine reserves of Bongoyo and Mbudya, Tanzania, through a sustainable perspective. Thereby, the research examines the ecological state of the marine environment as perceived by the scuba divers, the operation of scuba diving, as well as how scuba dive tourism relates to the major possibilities and challenges of the marine reserves. Supported in nature-based tourism management and the theories of recreation specialization and recreational succession, questionnaires were handed out to divers and interviews were conducted with stakeholders of the marine reserves, including a scuba dive operator, conservation groups and a private interest. The results portrayed degradation of the coral reef, with scuba diving constituting a minor influence, in comparison to the greater challenges of destructive fishing methods and lack of regulations. Thereby, the research illustrates scuba diving as a positive contributor to the marine environment, raising awareness on the need for conservation within both the local and the scuba diving community. Finally, the research concludes with proposals of sustainable management strategies for the operation of scuba diving within the marine reserves.

Protected areas are increasingly becoming islands of habitat surrounded by seas of cultivation and development. Mole National Park, Ghana’s premier park, has an emerging nature-based tourism that is not large when compared to park tourism in other African countries. The park attracts many tourists seeking to observe charismatic wildlife such as elephants. However, many of the species that are attractive to tourists can create problems for adjacent communities. The overarching focus of this study was on how human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in order to inform tourism development in Mole National Park and in nearby communities. The study was designed to address the following research questions: (1) How do human-wildlife interactions impact on nature-based tourism in Mole National Park and in nearby communities? (2) How do adjacent communities perceive the concerns and benefits of living near Mole National Park, and what factors explain the differences in perception of these concerns and benefits? and (3) How do park-adjacent communities perceive wildlife impact, and how are the perceptions of wildlife shaped by culture, involvement in a community conservation area, and a community’s distance from the park? A variety of research instruments such as key informant interviews, focus groups, field observations, and surveys were used to gather data from tourists and the diverse range of communities that surround Mole National Park. The study revealed high levels of tourist satisfaction with fundamental attractions such as wildlife and the environment. However, managerial deficiencies were noted in terms of infrastructure and services. CREMA (a variant of community-based natural resource management) influence communities to have positive attitude towards the park and tolerate wildlife because of the benefits they gain or perceive they will potentially gain. Communities closer to the park although have concerns, rated benefits higher than communities farther away from the park. Cultural valuation of animals also influence people’s interactions with wildlife. For example, taboo and totemic animals are revered and tolerated, not killed or eaten, although the same species may be considered problematic in other communities. Park ranger patrols, protecting water bodies, and livestock pens were rated as effective enhancement and mitigation measures of human-wildlife interactions. Properly developed nature-based tourism in and around PAs can serve both conservation and development outcomes. However, the success of PAs as a conservation strategy depends to some extent on the support of the nearby communities. Park-adjacent communities’ valuation of wildlife and the perception of concerns and benefits are important in the conservation process. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure that concerns do not outweigh the benefits of living near PAs. Also tourism development in PAs should benefit nearby communities to offset the negative impacts of PAs on adjacent communities. / Graduate / 0366 / eyacquah@yahoo.com

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Hong Kong students regarding their experiential encounters and interactions in the natural environment on Vancouver Island and attempt to discover what impact these experiences had on their process of adapting to a new culture. Three participants took part in an unstructured interview session where they shared their personal outdoor stories spanning their life in Hong Kong and in Canada. This was joined with a photo elicitation task to help recall and gain further in-depth insights into their outdoor narratives. The transcripts that resulted, where analysed using inquiry justifications, personal, practical and social (Lindsay & Schwind, 2016). The resulting themes were cultural adaption through socialization, exploration and stability, experiences in nature and access to nature. This study contributes the unique voice of students from Hong Kong and their experiences with nature in Canada and how it has affected their cultural adaption. / Graduate

While traveling brings economic opportunities while climate change, resource depletion and the rapid growth of tourist numbers threaten the communities and ecology in the destination. Concerns about these threats require the sustainability of tourism in the destination, where local enterprises as the major players are encouraged to lead change by adopting sustainable innovation. As the major players in tourism destinations, the contribution of sustainable innovation activities of NBT enterprises to the sustainable destinations development is greatly underestimated and there are few studies on the sustainable innovation of NBT enterprises employed in existing literatures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to reveal dynamic capabilities and processes of sustainable innovation of NBT enterprises. Based on the triple classification of the dynamic capabilities of Teece-model (2007) and the five key phases of enterprise development and ‘critical junctures’ of Vohora-model (2004), this study proposes a model of NBT sustainable innovation process and determines some important activities in the innovation process. This study provides suggestions on how to balance business growth and investment in sustainable innovation in order to achieve long-term development of the enterprise, and foreshadows possible challenges and important activities. This study also provides guidance for the government and other authorities on how to encourage and support NBT development.

While traveling brings economic opportunities while climate change, resource depletion and the rapid growth of tourist numbers threaten the communities and ecology in the destination. Concerns about these threats require the sustainability of tourism in the destination, where local enterprises as the major players are encouraged to lead change by adopting sustainable innovation. As the major players in tourism destinations, the contribution of sustainable innovation activities of NBT enterprises to the sustainable destinations development is greatly underestimated and there are few studies on the sustainable innovation of NBT enterprises employed in existing literatures. Thus, the purpose of this study is to reveal dynamic capabilities and processes of sustainable innovation of NBT enterprises. Based on the triple classification of the dynamic capabilities of Teece-model (2007) and the five key phases of enterprise development and ‘critical junctures’ of Vohora-model (2004), this study proposes a model of NBT sustainable innovation process and determines some important activities in the innovation process. This study provides suggestions on how to balance business growth and investment in sustainable innovation in order to achieve long-term development of the enterprise, and foreshadows possible challenges and important activities. This study also provides guidance for the government and other authorities on how to encourage and support NBT development.