Learning on the Trail
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Writing, Research & Guest Speaking
Have an article, project or event in mind? Amanda would love to find out more.
Amanda is a globally recognised thought leader in outdoor learning and nature play, passionate about fostering transformative learning for children. With extensive international speaking and impactful research, she inspires educators and communities. Her insights reach diverse audiences through various publications, making outdoor learning accessible to many.
Contact Amanda here.
Guest Speaking Events
2025
  • Outdoor Learning Mini Conference Keynote: with Dr Sue Elliot and Dr Fran Hughes: 20+ Convincing Reasons to Get Outside and Workshop: Nature Journalling and wellbeing activities in the outdoors. *
  • Illawarra Nature Festival (Wollongong) - 100+ Beaches One Wild Childhood Challenge
  • International Play Association Asia Pacific Play Conference (Melbourne) From Indoors to Outdoors: Transforming Play & Learning Across Landscapes *
2024
  • National Outdoor Education Conference (East Gippsland) - Risky Play in an Urban Holiday Park *
  • Outdoors NSWACT Outdoor Learning Conference (Port Macquarie) – Establishing Inclusive Outdoor Learning Spaces *
2023
  • National Sports Convention (Melbourne) – Where the outdoor industry meets the sport industry. How we can help instil habits from toddlers to teenagers. *
  • International Joint Congress – World Parks – Parks and Leisure Australia (Adelaide)- Outdoor Learning: Transforming Pedagogical Practice. *
2022
  • National Outdoor Education Conference – (Blue Mountains) - Nature Play Workshop in conjunction with Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Christian Eckardt. *
2018
  • International Outdoor Education Research Conference (Sunshine Coast) – The mysterious case of the outdoors for Primary School Teachers
  • National Outdoor Education Conference (Hobart) – Insights into Nature Play Holiday Programs
  • Nature Play SA Guest Speaker – (Adelaide) - Methods for Assessing Outdoor Learning & There is more to a Cubby House than Sticks – The 5 Ss of Cubby House Building.2017
  • Nature Play WA Keynote Speaker (Perth) – The Cubby House Curriculum
2016
  • International Outdoor Education Conference (Canada) – Place-based Curriculum Learning
2015
  • World Environmental Education Congress (Sweden) – Seeing What They See. Using GoPro's in Research
  • International Outdoor Learning Conference (England) – Place-based Curriculum in Australian Primary Schools
2014
  • National Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference (Hobart) – Outdoor Learning in Primary Schools
  • National Outdoor Education Conference (Adelaide) – Place-based Outdoor Learning Enriching the Curriculum
  • International World Parks Congress (Sydney) – Practical Place Based Pedagogy
*2022 - 2025 Speaking Engagements as part of my role as the Educational Consultant for Greater Sydney Parklands
Publications
  • "Beyond the Gate" - Warden & Fargher, 2023, Pademelon Press - Outdoor opportunities in the primary school years. 2023
  • Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. Parents' and caregivers' perspectives on the benefits of a high-risk outdoor play space. 2023
  • The Nature Play for New South Wales (NSW) − Insights and Recommendations – Centennial Parklands/ Greater Sydney Parklands. 2021
  • Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education Place-based outdoor learning: more than a drag and drop approach 2018
  • Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership Seeing what children see: Enhancing understanding of outdoor learning experiences through body-worn cameras 2018
  • The Palgrave International Handbook of Women and Outdoor Learning Chapter 26. Building Cubby Houses For A Career 2018
  • Curriculum Perspectives, 38(2), 163-167 Take the class outside! 2017
  • PhD Thesis "Place-based outdoor learning enriching curriculum: A case study in an Australian primary school". 2017
  • Place-based outdoor learning and environmental sustainability within Australian Primary Schools. Journal of Sustainability Education. 2014.
Magazines and Online Articles
  • Great Walks Magazine - Child's Play - Walking the Old Ghost Road with a 2 year old. 2023.
  • Planet Ark – Forward for the annual research report. Learning from trees: Life lessons for future generations. 2017
  • Wild Magazine Australia's Wilderness Adventure Magazine. Regular columnist regarding children. 2017