Dr Amanda Lloyd is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in outdoor learning and place activation. She works at the intersection of people, place, and possibility — helping organisations, early learning centres, schools, families, communities, and land managers reimagine how outdoor environments can foster wellbeing, connection, and meaningful participation.
With a career spanning research, teaching, strategy, consultancy, professional learning, and program design, Amanda brings both academic rigour and practical implementation expertise. Her PhD explored the benefits of outdoor learning for primary school students, and she continues to publish, present, and collaborate widely across education, parklands, community development, and environmental sectors.
Amanda partners with schools, early learning centres, land managers, councils, and community organisations to design impactful outdoor programs, coordinate place-based curriculum, activate underused spaces, and build evidence-informed strategies that increase engagement and visitation.
Inclusion and access are central to her work. Amanda is committed to creating outdoor experiences that are welcoming to people of diverse abilities, cultures, genders, and backgrounds, and she honours the knowledge and custodianship of First Nations Peoples in all place-based work.
As an engaging speaker, facilitator, and strategic thinker, Amanda is equally at home delivering keynote presentations, guiding immersive professional learning, shaping long-term implementation plans, or collaborating on innovative community initiatives.
Based on Dharawal Country on the South Coast of New South Wales, Amanda lives the values she advocates, regularly exploring the outdoors with her young family through day walks, overnight stays and multi-day adventures. These lived experiences are a continual source of inspiration for her work, some of which are shared through Learning on the Trail.
If you are seeking strategic insight, creative program design, research-informed practice, or collaborative place activation, Amanda welcomes opportunities to work together.
Credentials
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), “Place-based outdoor learning enriching curriculum: A case study in an Australian primary school”. University of Western Sydney
Masters of Environment (Education for Sustainability), Griffith University
Forest Schools Level 3 Instructor Training, United Kingdom
Graduate Certificate in Outdoor Education, University of Wollongong
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Australian Catholic University
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