Toolbox — For Training and Youth Work
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Manual
Sustainability Education Handbook 3: Environmental Stewardship with a Focus on Nature-Inspired Activities
The third Handbook in the nature‑based sustainability series combines theory, global good practices and outdoor lesson plans. It helps teachers build learners’ environmental awareness, stewardship skills and hands‑on engagement with local ecosystems.
Aims of the tool
This Handbook - one of four CONNECT Handbooks - supports teachers and youth workers in developing learners’ environmental awareness, stewardship and sustainability competences through outdoor, experiential activities. It aims to help young people understand ecosystems, act responsibly in nature, and connect sustainability learning with real‑world practice.
Description of the tool
This Handbook is part of the four‑part CONNECT series, designed to help educators strengthen sustainability learning through outdoor, nature‑based experiences. It is organised into three sections:
1. Theory on environmental awareness, stewardship and experiential learning
2. International good practices showing how outdoor sustainability education works in practice
3. Ready‑to‑use outdoor lesson plans that teachers can apply directly in their local environment
The activities encourage observation, exploration, cooperation and hands‑on engagement with natural spaces. Learners investigate local ecosystems, practise responsible behaviour outdoors, and connect environmental concepts with lived experience.
The learning outcomes include:
- increased environmental awareness and understanding of local ecosystems
- strengthened sense of responsibility and stewardship
- improved cooperation and problem‑solving through outdoor tasks
- deeper connection to nature and motivation to act sustainably
- practical experience with observation, data collection and reflection
- enhanced ability to link sustainability concepts with everyday life
All four Handbooks are available in English, French, Greek, Hungarian and Lithuanian at the project website:
https://aksantys.com/cultivating-outdoor-nature-based-education-launch-of-connect-project/ Note: Clicking this link takes you to an independent third-party site outside of SALTO TC&RC’s control.
Disclaimer
SALTO cannot be held responsible for the inappropriate use of these training tools. Always adapt training tools to your aims, context, target group and to your own skills! These tools have been used in a variety of formats and situations. Please notify SALTO should you know about the origin of or copyright on this tool.
Tool overview
http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/5902
This tool is for
Learners aged 8-18. Teachers and youth workers in secondary education, adaptable for primary learners and teacher‑training contexts. Suitable for mixed‑ability groups and inclusive learning settings.
and addresses
Environment
It is recommended for use in:
Training and Networking
Materials needed:
Outdoor space (schoolyard, park, garden, local natural area).
Basic stationery (paper, pens).
Simple tools for observation (optional).
Mobile phones for taking photos.
No specialised equipment required.
Duration:
The Handbook can support single outdoor sustainability sessions or longer thematic projects.
Behind the tool
The tool was created by
Erasmus+ Project: Cultivating Outdoor Nature-based Education for Competence and Teaching
in the context of
Erasmus+ project
The tool has been experimented in
Our own shools with our students + during project student exchange programmes
The tool was published to the Toolbox by
Lídia Szabó (on 29 July 2026)
and last modified
25 July 2026
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