Young Victorians have been given the opportunity to experience the benefits of being in nature through the Active in Nature program. The joint initiative between Parks Victoria, Outdoors Victoria and funded by VicHealth helps young people who face barriers to getting into nature.
More than 450 young people and their support workers were engaged across more than 28 outdoor recreation events held over the past 12 months through the Active in Nature program. Attendees learned valuable outdoor skills like hiking, abseiling, mountain biking, while other groups participated in educational-based activities like learning bush skills, camping, nature education and indigenous cultural activities.
These events were held in Yarra Bend Park, You Yangs Regional Park, Lysterfield Park and Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.
Photo: An Active in Nature participant tries abseiling in You Yangs Regional Park. Supplied: Outdoors Victoria.
The Active in Nature program 2023-24 was initially run as a pilot which aimed to engage young people who face challenges in accessing nature and outdoor activities due to social, physical or cultural reasons, and impressing upon them the many benefits spending time in nature has.
Survey data shows 20 per cent of the participants were neurodiverse, 11 per cent had a physical disability, 21 per cent came from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 20 per cent had migrant or refugee backgrounds.
Supporting young people to get into nature is a Parks Victoria Healthy Parks Healthy People commitment, as it ensures they experience the benefits of nature for self-care, which in turn creates advocates for our parks now and into the future. The Active in Nature program instils these ideas in young people who have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in nature-based activities.
Active in Nature proved so successful in its first year that its funding has been extended for a further two years. This will allow for an expanded program which includes more young people establishing a connection with nature.
Jo Hopkins, Parks Victoria Manager Strategic Partnerships, said the additional funding reflected the importance of establishing strong, healthy connections between nature and people who had yet to have the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the natural environment in parks.
"We're delighted to continue offering the Active in Nature program alongside our partners, which is instilling real and equitable health benefits and experiences in hard-to-reach young people, fostering an appreciation of nature in the process."
"The Active in Nature program really highlights how spending time outdoors in nature is an important factor in improving a person's physical health and mental wellbeing."
Photo: Active in Nature participants on a hike in Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Image supplied.
Data from surveys completed by participants showed 84 per cent felt more confident being in nature, 86 per cent felt happier, 72 per cent felt more connected to other people, while 83 per cent said they intended to get active more often.
Community group coordinator Silvia Gonzalez from MiCare said the Active in Nature program had helped build self-confidence in the young people she works with.
"By being exposed to new experiences, adventure and challenges young people learn how to handle unfamiliar situations and make mistakes without fear, all which are invaluable traits that will help them succeed when navigating and adapting to life in a new country."
"Opportunities like these provide the young people to break away from everyday routine and engage in something positive, as well as allowing young people learn to have appreciation for nature and the natural world, they now know as home."
